Preparing for Emergencies in the Highlands and Islands

A Guide to Civil Contingencies and Resilience Contents

O Civil Contingencies 1 O Integrated Emergency Management 2 O Planning your own Emergency Arrangements 5 O How to put together an “Emergency Supply Kit” 6 O Evacuation 10 O Shelter 12 O Local Television and Radio Stations 13 O Floods 14 O Winter storms and extreme cold 17 O Heatwave 20 O Information on Flu 21 O Incidents with hazardous materials 23 O Fire 24 O Pets 27 O The recovery from a disaster 28 O The Procurator Fiscal Service 30 O Useful contact numbers and web pages 31

Introduction

In today’s world there is an ongoing need to plan for the unpredictable and unexpected. Emergencies are triggered by a variety of causes - like the weather, transport accidents and terrorism, to name just three. This Guide, produced by the Highlands and Islands Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG), provides basic information about what Government does and is doing to protect its population and what you can do to protect yourself and your family in the event of a major emergency. The Guide provides general information and the basic dos and don’ts in simple steps to prepare for such an emergency without unnecessary interruption to day to day activities. The SCG welcomes this opportunity to inform the public and hopes that the information in this guide provides useful help to improve your ability to respond to any emergency. Civil Contingencies

Central Government’s approach to civil Resilience is built around several contingency planning is built around the key activities. First, risks of disruptive concept of resilience. This is defined challenge must, where possible, be as the ability at every relevant level to identified, either by considering internal detect, prevent and, if necessary, to weaknesses or scanning the horizon handle and recover from disruptive for external threats. Risk assessment challenges.The processes which allows choices to be made. In some underpin resilience form the circumstances it is possible to prevent fundamental elements of civil protection. disruptive challenges occurring by taking action at an early stage. In other Civil protection or civil contingency cases, planning has to take place to planning can be defined as the prepare to deal with a disruptive application of knowledge, measures challenge. If the disruption does occur and practices to anticipate, guard it becomes necessary to respond and, against, prevent, reduce or overcome once the situation is brought under any risk, harm or loss that may be control, to focus on recovery. This cycle associated with natural, technological - assessment, prevention, preparation, or man-made crises and disasters in response and recovery - is at the heart peacetime. of resilience. It is complemented by review of plans and arrangements The Government is committed to based on experience of emergencies enhancing the resilience of the United and in exercises. Kingdom to disruptive challenge.In recent years, the range of challenges that society faces has broadened as networks have become more complex. We can no longer work on the assumption that disasters in the UK or elsewhere can be localised or occur in isolation. Multiple events can occur at once and - irrespective of malicious intent - can cause effects that demand effective co-ordination and integration of activities.

1 Integrated Emergency Management

Scottish emergency planning and coordinated and directed by Strategic response is based on the principles Co-ordinating Groups, one in each of the of Integrated Emergency Management eight police force areas in Scotland. (IEM). Under IEM both preparation and Each group’s membership is drawn response to emergencies focus on the from all four Uniformed Emergency effects of events rather than their causes. Services, Local Authorities, Health Preparation and response is undertaken Boards, the Environment Agency and as an extension of a local responder’s Utility Companies. normal day to day activities, definded as its functions in the Civil Contingencies The following five activities strengthen Act 2004. For example, local authority an integrated approach: social services look after the needs of people daily and can use their skills and 1 Assessment expertise in that function in response Risk assessment is both an integral to emergencies. The underlying aim of component of risk management and IEM is the development of flexible and the first step in the emergency planning adaptable arrangements that will enable process. It is important that local effective joint response to any crisis responders have a realistic whether foreseen or unforeseen. It understanding of the hazards and is intended to build the resilience of threats for which they should be communities in Scotland to deal with any prepared. Through their Strategic Co- emergency and, where necessary, to ordinating Group, all local responders make specific arrangements to deal with should share their assessment of local particular risks. risks and integrate their planning for specific risks. Risk assessment is also Civil protection arrangements need to be an important activity during response to integrated both within and between an emergency to advise managers on organisations. They are an integral part of matters such as risk reduction, health departmental and organisational and safety and potential secondary planning. Local responders work effects of the emergency. individually and in collaboration with each other on certain key activities in areas of common interest. This integration is

2 2 Prevention they are able to provide critical services Prevention requires measures to be taken for the community, perform their to eliminate, isolate or reduce identified functions in support of the combined risks as far as is reasonably practicable response to emergencies and support by carrying out functions in such a way staff engaged in the response. as to prevent an emergency which is about to occur or reduce its impact. For Management of activity in response to example, public health organisations act any emergency should be based on to protect people at risk of pandemic flu day to day roles. However, the need for and work with their partners to prepare rapid decision making and co-ordination for the impacts of an outbreak. across a number and range of organisations requires the establishment 3 Preparation of crisis management structures. These Preparation for response to structures are planned at a local level emergencies involves planning, through Strategic Co-ordinating Groups: training, exercising and informing for Scotland through the work of the people. Planning takes place at different Scottish Emergency Co-ordinating levels to provide the basis for an Committee and for the UK through effective integrated response. The key the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies to effective planning depends on the Secretariat. There needs to be clear engagement and support of the people ownership and commitment to who will implement the arrangements. contingency planning from the senior Management arrangements should be management of all organisations with simple and enable a co-ordinated a part to play. Contingency plans are response to deal with the effects of any not simply the domain of emergency emergency. The framework upon which planners. They should be seen as specific contingency plans are made an integral part of overall management build upon the generic planning of all responsibilities and corporate responders. Strategic Co-ordinating governance. Groups are expected to establish local emergency management co-ordination Nonetheless, personnel will require structures. Planning ensures that additional training to prepare them for individuals, organisations and groups the special circumstances experienced of organisations can use their skills to during an emergency and for any extra meet the urgent needs of communities dimensions to their role. It is pointless at times of crisis. Organisations plan to making preparations if people are ensure that, when emergency occurs, unaware of them and are not trained to

3 perform in accordance with them. It is response as actions taken at all times can therefore essential to involve those who influence the longer term outcomes for will have to respond to any emergency in communities. Experience of emergencies planning, training and awareness raising. in Scotland has demonstrated the importance of involving the community in 4 Response its own recovery. Effective communication The importance and objectives of a and support for self-help activities are combined response to emergencies important considerations for responders. builds on current arrangements and seeks to ensure a degree of consistency Summary across Scotland. It highlights the need IEM is aligned with the aim of building for flexible and adaptable planning. The greater overall resilience in the face of initial response to an emergency aims a broad range of disruptive challenges. to deal principally with immediate effects. Certain key features are common to an Rapid implementation of arrangements integrated approach to preparation and for collaboration, co-ordination and response. The core of the initial response communication are vital. With sudden will normally be led by the emergency impact emergencies (explosions, major services working in partnership with other transport accidents, flooding) the initial local responders. The basic objectives of response is normally provided and led the integrated response will be similar on by the emergency services, supported most occasions (saving life, property, by other local public bodies and protecting the environment, mitigating the voluntary organisations. Experience impacts of an emergency, etc.) The same of slower onset or less localised basic management structure will be emergencies (health incidents and applicable. Planning based on common outbreaks, fuel protests, foot and features (roles, responsibilities and mouth disease) has shown that other management structures) will assist in the: organisations may well need to lead O Development of multi-agency even in the early stages. emergency plans; O Response to unforeseen events; 5 Recovery O Extendibility of the planned response Recovery addresses the human, to events of a scale that is unforeseen. physical, environmental and economic impact of emergencies. Recovery is Each responder should plan both to not a discrete element of emergency perform its functions and to integrate its preparation and response. It should plans with local joint arrangements for be an integral part of the combined co-ordination and response.

4 Planning your own Emergency Arrangements

The Emergency Services, your Council Identify two meeting places: the first and other agencies have written generic should be near your home – in case of plans to cover emergencies that might fire, perhaps a tree or a telephone pole; come our way. You could do the same the second should be away from your neighbourhood in case you cannot for your household, workplace or family. return home; a school, the home of a friend or relation for example. Start by looking around you and make a risk assessment for your home. Are you O Pick a friend or relative who lives out in an area where there is a risk of of the area for household members flooding or being cut off by adverse to call to say they are okay. weather? Are you under the flight path of O Identify an escape route from each an airport? Are there main roads or train room in your house. Practise a fire lines nearby and could an accident drill. O Post emergency telephone numbers there affect you? Do you live near a by telephones. Teach children how chemical or nuclear installation? Don’t and when to phone 999. forget house fires. O Make sure all your insurance policies are up to date and include O Find out what legislation there is. If the risks you identified. It is in your you live within the Public Information own interest, as you may not be Zone of a legislated risk site, you will insured otherwise. already have a leaflet that will give O Keep a list of key contact / reference you valuable advice on how to numbers of insurance companies, prepare and what to do in case of an banks, car registrations etc and store emergency. In such cases your them safely with a friend or relative, Council makes plans with the in case they are destroyed or Emergency Services and the site inaccessible at your home. operators to keep you safe. You can O If you are disabled, keep extra look them up in your local library. supplies of items you might need, O Talk to your family about the potential such as extra wheelchair batteries, emergencies you identified and how oxygen, catheters, medication, food to respond to each. Talk about what for guide or hearing dogs etc. you would need to do in an O Those who are able bodied should evacuation. find out who in their neighbourhood O Plan how your household would stay or building is disabled, so they can in contact if you were separated. assist them during emergencies.

5 How to put together an “Emergency Supply Kit”

In a major emergency covering a place in your home. Write all expiry widespread area, such as prolonged dates on the list and when you will severe weather, local responders may need to change them. Tinned food not be able to reach you immediately. may last for some time, but bottled They may need to focus their efforts water, for example, will have to be elsewhere. This means that you may replaced every six months. If you do have to survive on your own for several not want to have the hassle of days. This also means having your own changing some foodstuffs every water, food and emergency supplies. month, just replace the whole food You may lose power, telephones, both side of the kit every six months and mobile and landline, gas and or water live off the replaced food for a few and the toilets may not work. You may days. Throw away any tins that have have to evacuate your home, office or become corroded, swollen or school at a moment’s notice and take dented. Don’t eat any food past its essentials with you. You probably won’t sell-by date. Do not eat food that have the opportunity to shop or search might have been in contact with for supplies you’ll need. Your floodwater. household will cope best by preparing for an emergency before it strikes. The If in doubt, throw it out! following are a few useful tips on what O A normally active person needs at you should store and how. With this least two litres of water daily just for checklist, you can put together your drinking. Children, nursing mothers disaster kit based on the risks that you and ill people need more. Because have identified. you will need water for sanitary purposes and possibly cooking, you O Use plastic boxes or backpacks to should store at least 2.5 litres of keep the supplies together. The kit water per person per day. should be kept in a designated O Food items you might want to put place. into your Supply Kit are foods that O Make sure all household members you can readily eat without heating or know where the kit is kept. water, such as ready-to-eat meats or O Make a list of all contents and put it tuna, fruits, vegetables, canned or outside the kit and/or in a prominent boxed juices, UHT milk, high energy food like crackers or cereal bars,

6 vitamins, food for infants or persons should include: sterile adhesive on special diets, and also biscuits, dressings or plasters in assorted boiled sweets, and powdered milk. sizes; sterile wound dressings in O Food, unlike water, may be rationed various sizes; sterile eye pads; safely, except for children and roller bandages; triangular pregnant women. bandages; tubular bandages. Other O Keep tinned foods in a dry place items should include a first aid where the temperature is fairly cool. manual; disposable gloves; pocket To protect boxed food from pests, mask or face shield; disinfectant store food in tightly closed plastic or wipes; adhesive tape; cleansing metal containers. wipes/gauze pads; safety pins; O Baby food (if appropriate) scissors and tweezers, rub in hand O Pet food (if appropriate) disinfectant, thermometer. O It may be difficult to obtain prescription You should also consider medications during an emergency. the following medical Be mindful of expiry dates. Keep a items: list of medication you and your family are on as part of your kit. O Home first aid kit, keeping in an easily identifiable watertight box. This

7 O Have the following non-prescription O Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, medications in your home first aid kit; deodorants, hairbrush, feminine pain relief tablets / preparations that supplies you normally use (e.g. aspirin, O Heavy-duty plastic rubbish bags and paracetamol, ibuprofen), anti- ties – for personal sanitation uses – diarrhoea medication, laxative, and toilet paper vitamins, and medication for an upset O Medium sized plastic bucket with stomach. tight lid O Disinfectant and household bleach Further information on first aid and first aid O Consider a small shovel for digging kits can be found on the Red Cross a latrine website: www.redcross.org.uk Household documents Tools and other items you and contact numbers: should have at hand: O Personal identification, cash and O A portable battery powered radio credit card plus extra batteries, or a wind-up O Copies of important documents, radio such as birth certificates, marriage O A torch plus extra batteries, or a certificates, wills and deeds, wind-up torch insurance papers and immunisation O Matches in a waterproof, childproof records. Store these in watertight container (keep away from children) containers. O Whistle O Emergency contact lists O Fire extinguisher - make sure every O Extra set of house and car keys member of your family knows how to use them Special items: O Heavy duty gloves O One complete change of clothing O Needles and thread and footwear (sturdy) O Manual can opener O Waterproof clothing, hat and gloves O A safety knife O Sunglasses O If food must be cooked, small O Blanket or sleeping bag for each cooking stove and a can of cooking member of the household fuel O Emergency foil blankets/survival O Moistened towelettes, soap, hand bags sanitiser, liquid detergent. Rub in O Entertainment items e.g. books and hand disinfectant (not requiring board games water).

8 9 Evacuation

Evacuations are more common than you to evacuate, do so. Do not enter might realise. A gas leak might lead the restricted areas or closed roads. Emergency Services to evacuate a O Plan a place to meet members of street. Flooding may require you to your household in case you are leave your house or workplace. Not all separated from one another during a evacuations are long term, sometimes disaster. Ask a friend outside your you can return after a few hours once town to be the “checkpoint” so that the emergency is over. However, just everyone in your family can call that think about a chemical incident. Your person to say that they are safe. house might not be habitable and you O Find out where children will be sent if might have to be re-housed while decontamination is carried out. It is schools are evacuated. Remember therefore prudent to prepare for an that this can change at a moment’s evacuation. notice, if the allocated evacuation point cannot be used as it may be in O Find out from our local emergency harms way. planners about your Major Incident O Assemble a supply kit with items Plan. from the “emergency supply kit” O Talk with your family about the checklist that you would need in a possibility of an evacuation. Plan Reception Centre - prescription where you would go, if you had to medicine, specific baby items, leave your house or even your town. toiletries and phone lists. Plan how you would get there. O Know how to shut off your home’s Remember to allow for traffic electricity, gas and water supplies at congestion, as you are unlikely to be main switches and valves. the only person being evacuated. O If a hard freeze is likely during your O If the Emergency Services advise absence, take action to prevent you to shelter, do not self-evacuate. damage to water pipes by the Follow the “Go in, Stay in, Tune in” freezing weather, such as: message and listen out for advice O Turn off water mains from the Emergency Services or O Drain taps experts whom they will have asked O Turn off inside valves for external to advise you. If the Emergency taps and drain outside taps Services need you to evacuate, they O Leave your loft door open to allow will inform you and tell you how to do warm air to circulate the tank and it and where to go. pipes O Always follow the advice of the O Close and lock windows Emergency Services. If they tell you O Lock your house when you leave

10 Photo: Cornwall County Fire Brigade 11 Shelter

Taking shelter is often a critical element O Pets: If you have pets, do not go in protecting yourself and your outside to look for them; wait until household in times of emergency. If they come to the door, let them in there is an airborne risk from a chemical and keep them in a room separate spill or similar event, sheltering is your from those that were inside at the best form of protection. time of the emergency. If they were outside at the time of the emergency, You will be advised to: you may put yourself and others with GO IN - STAY IN - TUNE IN you at risk if you let them in. O Tune In to local radio and or television stations for updates on In other words, sheltering means that what to do. you go indoors and stay there until told O Avoid eating uncovered food that by the Police or via television and radio may have been exposed to any that it is safe to go outside again. You contaminated air in the emergency. should tune in to your local radio Packaged food should not be stations to receive news and advice affected. The Food Standards about the emergency. Agency will issue advice about agricultural produce and milk. O When told to do so by the O Avoid using the telephone, Emergency Services, go inside and especially your mobile phone, close all windows, shut and lock unless it is essential as the doors, switch off any fans, air Emergency Services will need to conditioning units, venting and heat use the limited number of lines ducting that draw air in from outside. available. O Go In to a room as far away from the O The Police and education authorities hazard as possible. The best room will ensure that children attending any would be on the highest level with schools affected by the emergency the least openings to the outside and are properly looked after. preferably on the downwind side. O Should you be out walking when the O Stay In and do not go back outside sheltering advice comes, go into a until told it is safe for you to do so. shop or other public building and O Take your radio, some snacks and wait for further instructions. water with you into the room.

12 O Follow the advice of the Emergency O If you have any concerns, call the Services. You are much safer health advice contact number that will sheltering than self-evacuating. If be broadcast on local television and evacuation becomes necessary, the radio. DO NOT leave the shelter you Emergency Services will inform you. are in. If it is a matter of life and death, call O If you are in a sheltering area and the Emergency Services on 999. DO rely on a Home Care Assistant, they NOT call 999 just to seek information; will not be able to come to you. Your you may be compromising a local authority will inform Social genuine emergency call. Services, who will try to contact you O DO NOT go and get your children. by phone. An evacuation might have They will be quite safe inside the to be considered. If you are in school, nursery or with their child immediate danger only, please call minder and you will only do yourself the Emergency Services on 999. harm in going outside. Your children will be safely looked after inside the school, nursery or by the child Local Television Stations minder until the sheltering order has BBC Scotland been lifted. Should evacuation be STV necessary, your children will be taken to a safe rest centre from where you can pick them up, or Local Radio Stations where they will be looked after until BBC Scotland (Highland) you can leave your own sheltering 92.4 – 94.7 FM; 810 MW area. Moray Firth Radio O If you were outside during the emergency, when it is practical to do 97.4 FM; 102.5 VHF and 1107 KHZ so, you should change your clothes and shower. Place the discarded Take SHELTER upwind above clothes inside a bin liner; tie the bag ground level if possible and then place that bag into another bin liner. Put the bag to one side until GO IN its contents can be checked. Shower in the normal manner avoiding STAY IN swallowing any water. Pay particular attention to washing your eyes and TUNE IN any open cuts or scratches.

13 Floods

Some areas of the Highlands and You should not rely on your local Islands have had periods of flooding in Council to provide sandbags. the last few years and often people O Your insurance company may know that they live within a flood risk encourage you to invest in one of the area. No-one can stop flooding many ranges of DIY flood protection altogether, but we can be prepared to equipment, conditional on maintaining take precautions. Your Council has insurance cover. (Remember to information and advice on what to do if a unblock vents and airbricks before flood occurs if you live or work in a switching everything back on.) flood risk area. Copies can be obtained O Assume that floodwater contains from your Council. The Scottish sewage and adopt good hygiene Environment Protection Agency also practices. has information that will help you before, O Ensure that you wear plastic/rubber during and after a flood. gloves when handling affected items. O Make up a specific Flood Kit, Please note that homeowners are including a torch, blankets, waterproof required to protect their own property and warm clothing, wellingtons, a – and NOT the local authority. portable radio and batteries, first aid kit, rubber gloves, food and pet food Here are some dos and dont’s: and key personal documents. Keep it upstairs, if possible. DO … O Talk about possible flooding with O Stay calm. Don’t panic. your family or those you live with. O Check that neighbours or any O Switch off gas, water and electricity if vulnerable members of your you get flooded. community know about any flood O Find a place to move pets to if a warnings issued. flood is on the way. O Listen to the local radio for up-to-date O If road conditions permit and it is news on the flood. Have a battery- safe to do so, remove vehicles to powered or wind-up radio in your areas unaffected by flooding; ask Emergency Supply or Flood Kit. friends and relatives for the use of O Have a few sandbags or floodboards their parking facilities. prepared to block doorways and airbricks.

14 15 O Store valuable or sentimental O Don’t use food that has been in personal belongings upstairs or in a contact with floodwater. high place downstairs. O Don’t use contaminated water to O Think about medication. In the event drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, of a flood, if you use it you will still wash or prepare food or make ice. need to take it. O Don’t dispose of damaged goods O If you need to be evacuated until your insurers have had a chance because of severe flooding or to inspect them. damage, contact the Police or dial O Don’t trust bogus traders. Always get 999. a written quotation; your insurer will O If you live in a bungalow, caravan, require one. Make sure that it is on prefab or any other dwelling without letter headed paper with landline access to a second storey and you contact numbers and an address you find yourself in difficulty, alert the know exists. Never pay in advance Emergency Services so you can be and only pay when the work is done evacuated. If you are able to self- to your satisfaction. Always get a evacuate and stay with family or receipt. friends, inform the Emergency O In the event of evacuating private Services so your location is known. motor vehicles to a place of safety, O If flooding traps you, stay by a do NOT block access roads above window and try to attract attention. the water level. Do not lift drain or O Obey road closures or advisory manhole covers or grills. notices that are put out for your O Do not use ‘Closed Roads’. safety. For first aid advice: Refer to the Water DON’T … Rescue, Drowning and Hypothermia O Don’t allow children to play in sections of the First Aid Manual. floodwater areas. Wash children’s www.redcross.org.uk hands frequently. Disinfect floodwater infected toys before allowing them to be used. O Avoid moving water. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep adults off their feet. O Don’t throw rubbish into watercourses or leave debris on the banks – it can add to the flooding problem. O Don’t use electrical circuits or equipment exposed to floodwater until checked by a qualified electrician. 16 Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can help clear the windscreen. immobilise an entire region. Major O Ensure your vehicle has suitable snowstorms or extreme cold can hit at anti-freeze added to its radiator and any time. There are extreme dangers if low-freezing screen-wash to the you are caught in your own car during a washer bottle. snowstorm. Imagine if you were stuck O Ensure that your vehicle is in good on your own, without anybody knowing working order – wash all lights and where you are, or if you are missing. indicators frequently. You can protect yourself, your car and O Tune into your local radio station for your household from the many hazards regular travel news updates. of winter, by thinking and planning O Use dipped headlights when driving ahead. during periods of rain, fog or snow. O Ensure you have enough fuel for the Winter Driving journey. Each winter your Council plans which O Have an emergency supply kit in roads will be gritted when ice and snow your car, in case you break down or are forecast. get stuck: O Warm coat, extra hat and mittens In cold conditions always drive with O Suitable winter footwear extra care and never assume that a road O Blanket or sleeping bag has been salted even if ice or snow has O Torch and extra batteries, or wind been forecast. No road can ever be up torch guaranteed to be free of ice or snow. O Shovel O Windscreen scraper O Ask the question ‘Is my journey O Battery-powered radio and extra necessary?’. If not, then don’t travel. batteries, or wind-up radio O Find out if you can get to your O Water and snacks destination using public transport. O Tow chain or rope O Always check the weather forecast O Jump leads before starting your trip. O Mobile phone O Plan your journey. O Allow extra time for your journey. Carry a First Aid Kit in your car in an O Run your car engine for a few easily identifiable watertight box. minutes before starting your trip to

17 If you get stuck in a winter When the engine is running, open a storm in a remote area, window slightly for ventilation to you should do the protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clear snow following: from the exhaust pipe. O Pull off the road. Turn on hazard O Exercise to maintain body heat, but lights and hang a distress flag from avoid over-exertion. Huddle with the radio aerial or window. passengers and use your coat as a O Remain in your vehicle where blanket. rescuers are most likely to find you. O Take turns sleeping, so you see the Only leave the car if buildings are rescue crews. nearby where you know you can O Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. take shelter. Distances are distorted O Don’t waste battery power, but at by blowing snow. A building may night if rescuers are nearby turn on seem close but may be too far to the inside light so rescuers can see walk in deep snow. you. O Run the engine and heater for about O Invest in a high intensity pocket 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. strobe light to attract attention.

18 Make your home are well insulated before winter. safe for winter O During a storm, listen to the local Prepare to survive in your home on radio or television for weather your own, without outside help, for at reports and emergency information. least three days. Assemble a supply kit O Eat regularly and drink ample fluids, and be sure to include winter specific but avoid caffeine and alcohol. items such as rock salt to melt ice and O Dress for the season with several sand to improve traction, snow shovels layers of loose fitting, lightweight or other snow removal equipment. warm clothing rather than one layer of Keep a stock of food and extra drinking heavy clothing. The outer layer water. should be water repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Always wear See the chapter - “How to put together a hat, most body heat is lost through an Emergency Supply Kit” for more the top of your head. information. O Don’t over-exert yourself when shovelling snow. If your house could be O Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance isolated, here is some in extremities. If symptoms are useful advice: detected, get medical help O Have sufficient heating fuel, as immediately. regular fuel sources may be cut off, O Watch for signs of hypothermia: as well as emergency heating uncontrollable shivering, memory equipment plus sufficient fuel for it in loss, disorientation, incoherence, case electricity is cut off, such as a slurred speech, drowsiness and portable gas fire, a wood burning apparent exhaustion. If symptoms stove, a fireplace or a kerosene are detected, get the person to a heater. Keep all heaters at least warm location, remove any wet three feet from flammable objects. clothing, warm the centre of the body Maintain ventilation when using first, and give warm non-alcoholic kerosene heaters to avoid a build-up beverage if victim is conscious. Get of toxic fumes and always refuel medical help as soon as possible. outside. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. Never burn charcoal indoors. O Make sure that your walls and attics

19 Heatwave

Extreme cold can kill. Extreme heat can disease, are on fluid-restrictive diets do just the same, by pushing the human or have a problem with fluid body beyond its limits. Most heat retention, you should consult a disorders occur because the victim has doctor before increasing liquid been overexposed to heat or has over- intake). exercised for his or her age and O Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. physical condition. The elderly, young Alcohol causes dehydration. children and those who are sick or O NEVER leave children or pets alone overweight are more likely to succumb in closed vehicles. to extremes of heat. This is what you O Dress in loose fitting clothes that can do to counter the effects: cover as much skin as possible. O Protect face and head by wearing a O Stay indoors as much as possible wide-brimmed hat. O Remember that electric fans do not O Avoid too much sunshine. Use cool. They just blow hot air around. sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher. O Eat well-balanced, light and regular O Regularly check on family and meals. Avoid using salt tablets friends who are vulnerable, such as unless directed to do so by your the elderly. doctor. O Drink plenty of water regularly even if How to treat heat exhaustion - refer to you do not feel thirsty. (If you have the Heat Exhaustion section of the First epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver Aid Manual.

20 Flu Pandemic

What is influenza (flu)? Symptoms of flu are: Flu is caused by a virus. The viruses O Sudden onset of fever change constantly which is why even O Shivering when you have had flu once you may O Headache not be immune when it comes round O Dry cough next time. A pandemic is when large O Aching muscles and joints numbers of people across the UK and You may feel ill and have a temperature in other countries are infected at the for up to a week. You could also feel same time, but it is very difficult to weak and in low spirits for several predict when this may happen. Children weeks longer. are more susceptible than adults. By virtue of their age they have had less What should I do if I get flu? time to be exposed to the virus and to The most important treatment is: develop immunity. Older people are at O Rest. Stay at home, keep warm and greater risk of complications such as rest – this will help you recover more bronchitis and pneumonia. quickly in the long run. O Fluids. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic How is flu spread? drinks to replace the fluid lost by The virus is very infectious and can sweating. easily be passed on by breathing in the O Analgesia. Take pain killers such as tiny droplets from the breath of infected paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin. people, for example when they cough NB aspirin must not be given to or sneeze. The incubation period (that is children and adolescents under 16 the time between picking up the years. People with asthma, stomach infection and the start of symptoms) is problems or taking other medication usually two to three days. should seek advice from a How do I know if I have flu? pharmacist before taking aspirin or ibuprofen. Flu makes people feel much worse than O Pharmacists are also able to give an ordinary cold, which is caused by advice on the control of your different viruses. Cold symptoms symptoms. They can be contacted include a runny nose, sneezing, watery by phoning your local chemist. eyes and throat irritation. Cold If you live alone tell a relative, friend or symptoms usually come on gradually, neighbour that you are ill so that they whereas flu starts suddenly. 21 can check on you, bring in some food asthma or do essential shopping. O Diabetes O Lowered immunity due to disease or Should I contact my treatment such as steroid medication doctor? or cancer treatment O Any other serious medical condition This is usually only necessary if the – check with your doctor if you are symptoms become severe or last more unsure. than one week. People in high-risk groups with chest or heart problems or In addition, it is recommended that whose immune system does not work everyone over the age of 65 and all properly are more vulnerable to those living in nursing or residential infections and may need to consult their homes are immunised. doctor earlier. If you develop another infection on top of flu then you may need an antibiotic. (Antibiotics are not What about helping effective in treating flu). others? If you know there is flu about, be a good Can I avoid getting flu? neighbour! It is difficult to avoid getting flu if there is O Watch out for signs that a neighbour an epidemic. Keeping away from may be ill – for example, bottles of crowded places may help. Good milk left on the doorstep or curtains standards of personal hygiene will help closed during the day. to prevent passing the virus on: O Offer to make drinks or do the O Use paper tissues to blow your shopping for a sick neighbour if they nose,and put them in a bin straight live alone or if you think they may not after use. be able to cope. O Whenever practicable wash your hands after sneezing and using What about the “new” tissues. drugs for flu? Unless essential, if you have flu don’t There may be benefit in using some of visit elderly people or others in the high the new anti-flu drugs during an risk groups. epidemic, for people in high-risk groups. However, they are neither Should I be vaccinated? beneficial nor recommended for people You should receive a flu immunisation who are otherwise healthy. These new every year in the autumn if you have: drugs are certainly not a cure, though in O A chronic heart complaint some people they may slightly shorten O A chronic chest complaint including the length of illness. 22 Incidents with Hazardous Materials

From industrial chemicals to household O If asked to evacuate your home, do detergents and air fresheners, so immediately. See chapter hazardous materials are part of our “Evacuation”. Always follow the everyday lives. Hazardous materials are advice of the Emergency Services. If substances that, because of their evacuation is going to be necessary chemical nature, pose a potential risk to after shelter, the Emergency the environment if they are released. Services and local authority will Hazards can exist during production, organise it for you. storage, transportation, use or disposal. O If requested to shelter, do so. See All these situations are covered by chapter “Shelter”. If you live in the assorted Health and Safety regulations. public information zone around a In the Highlands and Islands, there are a regulated site read the information number of regulated facilities in addition provided to you. to the major national transport road and rail routes that cross the area. Usually, Toxic chemical or there is nothing to worry about but, just in case, you should know what to do if a radiation release hazardous incident occurs. If you were very near a possible radiation or toxic chemical O If you witness (or smell) a release and you think you hazardous materials may have become accident, call 999 as soon contaminated - WAIT for the as safely possible. Please remember NOT to switch Emergency Services. They on your mobile phone if will provide decontamination you think you are standing facilities. This will include near flammable gas. asking you to remove any O Stay away from the contaminated clothing and incident site to minimise showering in portable shower the risk of contamination. units. Replacement clean/dry O If you are in a car, stop clothing will then be and seek shelter in a permanent building if provided. possible. If you must remain in your car, keep DON’T leave the scene or car windows and vents take yourself to hospital if you closed and shut off the air think you are contaminated. conditioner and heater. WAIT for specialist advice.

23 Fire

Fire is by far the biggest risk for a should be placed at least 30 disaster in your home. 3 out of every 4 centimetres away from any light or Scots believe their home isn’t at risk wall. Don’t fit smoke alarms in the from fire, but most house fires start by kitchen or bathroom where they can accident and are preventable. be accidentally triggered. Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm Highlands & Islands Fire and Rescue per level. The hallway and the Service offers Free Home Fire Safety landing are ideal locations. Test your checks aimed at helping you minimise alarm once a week. Change the the risk of a fire affecting your life or battery once a year (unless it is a 10- property. year alarm). Replace your smoke alarm unit every 10 years. Here are a few useful tips to keep you and your family safe at home: Escape O Plan your escape route now. Prevention O Try to identify two routes of escape O Do not leave cooking unattended out of every room. Take a few O Do not smoke in bed. Carelessness minutes to practice escaping with with smoking materials leads to fire. your family. O Never leave candles unattended. O Keep these escape routes clear of O Don’t leave high powered electrical obstructions. apparatus on at night i.e. TVs, O Know where door and window keys washing machines etc. are kept. Check that everyone O Alcohol is fuel for a fire. It is a major knows how to operate the locks. contributory factor towards a O Close all doors at night especially domestic fire when cooking or kitchen and lounge doors. This will smoking. protect the escape route should fire occur. Detection O Have Smoke Alarms! The best place If your escape way is to put a smoke alarm is on the blocked: ceiling, as near to the centre of the O Get everyone into one room room as possible. The smoke alarm O Close the door and put bedding or towels along the bottom to seal the gap. 24 O Open the window for fresh air. smoke, crawl along the floor where O Phone the Fire and Rescue Service the air is cleaner. or shout for help and get someone O STAY OUT - Don’t go back in your else to make the call. house, not even to collect valuables O If you are on the ground or first floor, or pets. you may be able to escape through O CALL OUT - Dial 999 and ask for the the window. Fire and Rescue Service. O Throw some bedding, clothing or O Call from a mobile phone, a soft furnishings out. neighbour’s phone or a call box. O Don’t jump; lower yourself down at O Raise the alarm and shout to wake arm’s length and drop into the soft everyone up; don’t look for the fire. pile. Check doors with the back of your O Think about the best order to go hand before opening. If it feels warm, down if you have children or older don’t open it. people with you. O Stop-Drop-Roll: If your clothes catch O If you have to break a window, cover fire, running will only fuel the flames the jagged edges with any available and allow the blaze to spread over soft materials. your body, producing worse burns. When flames are on your clothes, REMEMBER stop where you are, drop to the IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE: ground or the floor, cover your face O GET OUT - Get everyone together with your hands and roll back and and get out. If there is a lot of forth until the flames are extinguished.

25 26 Pets

O If you must take your pet with you, O Animal owners must decide whether make sure you have a secure pet to move large animals to shelter or carrier or leash for your pet. turn them outside. This decision should be based on the disaster O Cater for your pet in your Emergency type, quality and location of shelter Supplies Kit. Include pet food, water, and the risks of turning them outside. medication, veterinary records, litter Ensure all animals can be sheltered. box, food dishes, first aid kit, toys or Make sure, however, that enough other supplies that might not be food and water is available. available in a reception centre.

O Be sure your pet has a proper Wildlife identification tag securely fastened to Disasters and life-threatening situations the collar (if applicable). A current will exacerbate the unpredictable nature photo of your pet or a microchip of wild animals. insert will assist identification should it become necessary. O Be careful when approaching wild animals or stray domestic animals O Pets might not be allowed into a during an emergency situation. Do not Reception Centre. Be aware that you corner them. Wild or loose animals might have to leave your pets with are likely to feel threatened and may the SSPCA to be picked up after you endanger themselves or you if are able to return home. approached. O If any animal bites you, seek O If you are told to evacuate, leave immediate medical attention. pets behind where possible. As long O Rats may become a problem after a as they have a water supply they will disaster, especially floods. Be sure to be okay for a couple of days. secure all food supplies and contact Large Animals your local authority if you should see If you have large animals, such as horses rats. or cattle, evacuation arrangements may O During a flood certain small animals, be impossible. However, if you have such as rats or squirrels, might seek individual or isolated animals, you should refuge in your house. Do not make provisions for them in case of an approach them. Open a window and emergency: see whether they leave on their own. Otherwise, contact your local authority. 27 The recovery from a Disaster

Once the immediate threat is over, the You need to be aware of signs that recovery phase begins. You will want to someone, including yourself, needs go back to a state of normality, although help, such as: in most disasters life will change, and O Difficulty communicating thoughts “normality” will have to include the O Difficulty sleeping effects that the disaster has had on you, O Difficulty maintaining balance your family and community. The local O Easily frustrated authority will do everything it can to O Easily flaring up facilitate a speedy recovery to normality. O Increased use of alcohol/drugs O Limited attention span Call your insurance provider as soon as O Poor work performance possible. Take pictures of damages and O Headaches/stomach problems keep good records of any repair work O Tunnel vision/muffled hearing and cleaning costs. Be aware of bogus O Colds or flu-like symptoms traders who will show up after every O Disorientation or confusion disaster. Always get a written quotation; O Difficulty concentrating your insurer will require this. Make sure O Reluctance to leave home that it is on letter headed paper with O Depression, sadness landline contact numbers and an O Feeling of hopelessness address you have verified. Never pay in O Mood-swings and crying easily advance and only pay up when the work O Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt is done to your satisfaction and obtain a O Fear of crowds, strangers and being receipt for the payment. To be sure, alone check with your local authority’s Trading Standards Department to get advice. A disaster can leave people, especially children, feeling frightened, confused Coping with disasters and insecure. It is important for parents A disaster may well leave you stressed and teachers to be informed and ready and mentally affected. Don’t feel that you to help if reactions to stress begin to have to cope without help. Take special occur. care of your children. They can be more O Children may have reactions very affected than they show and reactions soon after the event, or be fine for can be delayed. weeks before they show worrisome behaviour.

28 O Reassurance is the key to helping O Contact your local Social Work children with trauma. Very young Service. Children’s teachers for children will need a lot of physical advice. contact and cuddling. They also O Keep a normal household routine. need verbal support. O Encourage children to participate in O Answer questions honestly, but do recreational activities. not dwell on frightening details or O Reduce your expectations allow the subject to dominate family temporarily about performance in life indefinitely. school or at home. O Encourage all children to express emotions through conversation or Reference: The British Red Cross drawing. leaflet: ‘Coping with Personal Crisis’

Photo: © Alison MacNeill 29 The Procurator Fiscal Service

The Procurator Fiscal is the official responsible for the prosecution of all crime that occurs within his jurisdiction. He or she is also responsible for the investigation of all sudden, unexpected and accidental deaths which occur within that jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Procurator Fiscal may be involved in a major emergency in two ways, firstly, if the emergency is the result of criminal actions by a person or persons and, secondly, if the emergency results in loss of life. Contact details for the Procurator Fiscals within Highlands and Islands are noted below:

OFFICE FISCAL’S NAME TELEPHONE NO. FAX NO.

Dingwall Roderick Urquhart Tel : 01349 862122 Fax: 01349 865230

Dornoch Alistair MacDonald Tel: 01862 892472 Fax: 01862 892883

Fort William Alison Wyllie Tel: 01397 703874 Fax: 01397 701476

Inverness Gary Aitken Tel: 01463 224858 Fax: 01463 711187

Kirkwall Sue Ford Tel: 01856 873273 Fax: 01856 870505

Lerwick Duncan MacKenzie Tel: 01595 693914 Fax: 01595 693340

Portree Roderick Urquhart Tel: 01349 862122 Fax: 01349 865230

Tain Alistair MacDonald Tel: 01862 892472 Fax: 01862 892883

Western Isles David Teale Tel: 01851 703439 Fax: 01851 704296

Wick Alistair MacDonald Tel: 01955 602197 Fax: 01955 606507

30 Useful Contact Numbers and Web Pages www.scotiagasnetworks.co.uk www.sepa.org.uk www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk www.northern.police.uk www.hifrs.org www.show.scot.nhs.uk/nhshighland www.show.scot.nhs.uk/nhshighland www.show.scot.nhs.uk/nhshighland www.show.scot.nhs.uk/shb/healthcare www.show.scot.nhs.uk/nhshighland www.scottishambulance.com www.scottishwater.co.uk www.mcga.gov.uk www.cosla.gov.uk www.meto.gov.uk www.scottish-southern.co.uk www.sne-siar.gov.uk www.orkney.gov.uk www.highland.gov.uk www.shetland.gov.uk www.show.scot.nhs.uk/ohb www.highlandhealth.org.uk WEB ADDRESS ...... Tel: 0800 807060 (Pollution Hotline) Tel: Tel: 0845 988 1188 (Floodline) 0845 988 1188 Tel: Tel: 0845 601 8855 (customer service) Tel: (24-hour rescue co-ordination centre) 01851 702013 Tel: (24-hour maritime rescue sub-centre) Tel: 08456 033 388 Tel: 01463 227000 Tel: 01463 704000 Tel: 01955 605050 Tel: 01397 702481 Tel: 01856 885400 Tel: 01595 743000 Tel: 01851 704704 Tel: 01463 713724 Tel: 600 8855 (emergency) Tel:0845 0131 474 9200 Tel: 0870 900 0100 Tel: 0800 300999 Tel: 01851 703773 Tel: 01856 873535 Tel: 01463 702000 Tel: 01595 693535 Tel: 01856 888000 (local) Tel: 01463 704800 Tel: TELEPHONE NO. Tel: 0800 111 999 0800 111 Tel: Tel: 01224 592334 Tel: ...... ORGANISATION Northern Constabulary Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Raigmore Hospital, Inverness Caithness General Hospital, Wick Belford Hospital, Fort William Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick Western Isles Hospital Scottish Ambulance Service SEPA Scottish Water Agency Marine & Coastguard Convention of Scottish Local Authorities The Met Office Scottish and Southern Energy Scotia Gas Networks Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Orkney Islands Council The Highland Council Shetland Islands Council NHS Orkney NHS Highland O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

31 Useful Contact Numbers and Web Pages www.show.scot.nhs.uk/shb www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk www.comunitiesscotland.gov.uk www.snh.org.uk www.hie.co.uk www.hpa.org.uk/radiation www.bbc.co.uk/scotland www.mfr.co.uk www.sibc.co.uk www.redcross.org.uk www.rspca.org.uk www.scottishambulance.com www.scottishspca.org www.sja.org.uk www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/VAO www.wrvs.org.uk WEB ADDRESS www.stv.tv ...... Tel: 01224 848848 Tel: Tel: 01463 242624 01463 Tel: Tel: 01595 743060 Tel: 01851 702997 Tel: 01463 711272 Tel: 01463 723100 Tel: 01463 234171 Tel: 01253 831600 Tel: 0141 338 2000 Tel: 01463 720720 Tel: 01463 720720 Tel: 01851 705000 Tel: 01856 873939 Tel: 01595 694747 Tel: 01463 224433 Tel: 01595 695299 Tel: 01463 231620 Tel: 0870 555 5999 Tel: 01463 713724 Tel: 0131 3390222 Tel: 0870 010 4950 Tel: 01856 872897 (local) Tel: TELEPHONE NO. Tel: 07714 898538 07714 Tel: ...... ORGANISATION NHS Shetland NHS Western Isles Communities Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage Highlands and Islands Enterprise National Radiological Protection Board BBC Scotland BBC Highland BBC Radio Highland BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal BBC Radio Orkney BBC Radio Shetland Moray Firth Radio STV Aberdeen STV Inverness Shetland Islands Broadcasting Company British Red Cross (BRC) Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Scottish Ambulance Service SSPCA St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB) Action Orkney (VAO) Voluntary - 24hr Emergency Callout WRVS O O O O O O MEDIA OUTLETS O O O O O O O O O O ORGANISATIONS VOLUNTARY O O O O O O O

32 Useful Publications

First Aid Manual authorised by the UK’s leading First Aid providers, published by Dorling Kindersley

‘Preparing for Flooding’ published by SEPA Notes ......

33 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar The Highland Council Northern Constabulary Orkney Islands Council Shetland Islands Council

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