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Emergency Planning
Emergency Planning
Emergency Planning works with Jersey’s responding agencies and organisations to review risks, develop emergency plans and test responses in preparation for dealing with a major incident or emergency.
What we do
Emergency Planning assists in co-ordinating the work of the Jersey Resilience Forum and gives advice and guidance to the Emergencies Council.
Our main responsibilities
- to prepare, co-ordinate and advise on contingency planning for Island emergencies and major incidents
- to co-ordinate the work of the Jersey Resilience Forum
- to work with responders to develop and maintain the Jersey Emergency Risk Register
- to support the development of response and recovery plans
- to organise and participate in emergency training and exercises
- to identify, organise and support personal / professional development training opportunities for local responders
- to develop advice and guidance on contingency planning and increase the community's awareness and understanding of preparing for emergencies and major incidents
- to work with regional and national responders to ensure that Jersey has the resilience that it needs for if and when major incidents or emergencies occur
The Jersey Resilience Forum
The Jersey Resilience Forum (JRF) is the multi-agency organisation responsible for ensuring that we are prepared to respond to emergencies that may impact Jersey. The Jersey Resilience Forum Executive provides oversight and guidance and is chaired by the Chief Executive to the Council of Ministers. The Jersey Resilience Forum Delivery Group carries out the day-to-day activities of the Forum, and is chaired by a strategic lead from one of the Blue Light Services.
It brings together all responders who have a role to play in any emergency response from both within and outside of the Government of Jersey. This includes members of the critical national infrastructure (who provide the services on which daily life depends, such as the supply chain and energy providers) and members of the voluntary and community sector (who provide vital support and assistance in a time of crisis).
This includes:
- States of Jersey Police
- States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
- States of Jersey Ambulance Service
- Ports of Jersey
- Communications
- Health and Care Jersey
- Public Health
- Risk and Audit
- Department for Infrastructure and Environment
- Financial Services and Digital Economy
- Emergency Planning Officer
- Representative from the Comité des Chefs de Police
- Officer Commanding Jersey Field Squadron or Joint Regional Liaison Officer (JRLO) 1 Artillery Brigade and South West
- Representatives of the energy sector
- Representatives for the voluntary and community sector
Jersey Emergency Risk Register
The Jersey Emergency Risk Register gives an overview of the potential risks in Jersey which could result in a major incident or emergency.
Key risks fall into the following categories:
- terrorism
- cyber
- state threats
- geographic and diplomatic risks
- accidents and system failures
- natural and environmental hazards
- human, animal and plant health
- societal
- conflict and instability
Some of these risks are more relevant to Jersey than others.
The register is developed by bringing together emergency planners and risk specialists from different organisations to anticipate the threats and hazards that Jersey faces. Part of this process is to then review these risks using UK national and regional risk registers, so we can assess and quantify our local risks.
One of the risk registers that we use to validate the Jersey Emergency Risk Register is the National Risk Register 2023 edition. This provides a UK government assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a range of different national security risks. The National Risk Register also has useful links that signpost national advice and guidance on what members of the public can do to prepare for these events.
The Jersey Emergency Risk Register provides a basis for contingency planning in Jersey, and it informs our planning and allows us to prioritise what exercises and training that we need to run.
It’s designed to guide the work of the Emergencies Council and Jersey Resilience Forum and inform the public of the risks to the Island, infrastructure and community.
We regularly review and update the Jersey Emergency Risk Register because new threats and hazards emerge, and risks change their profile.
Preparing for an emergency
Guidance to help people, businesses and communities to identify and prepare for the hazards and threats that may disrupt their lives is available on gov.uk.
Contacting family and friends
A sudden emergency may mean you need to contact relatives, health services, emergency services and repair services quickly. To be prepared:
- keep important telephone numbers handy in one location
- elderly, disabled or ill people should ensure they have the contact numbers of neighbours, health or social workers and / or other helpers to hand
- only make calls which are absolutely necessary, as the telephone system could become overloaded in a major emergency
- if you discover or are experiencing an emergency situation, dial 999
How you should respond
There is a small chance that you'll be caught up in an emergency, but you should be well prepared.
In most emergency situations, you'll need to take shelter immediately or move away from the hazard. If you can't, you should:
- go indoors and stay there
- close all doors and windows, close curtains and move into a room facing away from the hazard
- turn off ventilation systems
- don't smoke or light matches or other naked flames
- offer shelter to passers-by if it's safe to do so
Once you're indoors, stay there and wait for more information:
- keep phone lines clear – don't call emergency services (unless a separate emergency is affecting you, or you're being seriously affected by the incident)
- tune in to local radio stations for information
- listen carefully to advice given by emergency services, and follow it
- don't attempt to collect children from school until you've been advised to
- don't go outside
- don't use a vehicle
Emergency evacuation
Evacuation will only happen in extreme circumstances. If the situation should arise, remember that if the Police ask you to leave your home you should follow their advice. They will be concerned for your safety and will only ask you to evacuate if there is a danger to life.
If you have elderly, disabled or vulnerable neighbours, tell the emergency services that they might need help. They'll make special arrangements for people with additional needs.
The Police will normally ask you to go to a Reception Centre or a similar place. If you decide to go somewhere else, make sure you let the Police know, so that you can be accounted for.
Always follow the direct instructions of the emergency services in the event of any emergency.
Before you leave your home
If it's safe to do so, make sure any open fires are out, and switch off water, gas and electricity if requested to do so. Ensure that your home is locked.
If there is time and it's safe to do so, collect together:
- copies of insurance and other important documents; for example, passports
- keys for your home and vehicle
- valuables and sentimental items
- money and credit and debit cards
- mobile phone and charger
- wind-up or battery-powered torch and radio which will provide light and information
- warm, waterproof clothing and blankets
- any medication you are taking
- glasses or contact lenses
- any special food you need
- baby food and care items
- toiletries
- spare clothes
- child's special toy
- items for pets
- notepad and pen or pencil
- list of useful contact numbers if not already stored on your phone
What to do with pets
If you are evacuated from your home, it's likely you'll want to take your pet along with you. Unfortunately, not all emergency centres are able to cater for pets, so it's essential that you include the care of pets in your planning too. Every effort will be made to ensure that your pets are cared for, but they may not be able to stay with you.
Find out more about what to do with pets in emergencies on the Centre for Disease, Control and Prevention website and the RSPCA website. For local information or advice on your pets in an emergency, please contact the Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) on 01534 724331.
Roles of responder groups
The States of Jersey Emergencies Council, the Jersey Resilience Forum, and the Emergency Planning Officer and all responders each play a role in planning for and responding to any major incident or emergency either in, or affecting, Jersey. They may provide:
- specialist knowledge
- equipment, people and resources
- support, care and welfare
Government of Jersey's role
In a major incident, the lead for responding to it will usually fall to the agency who have the main responsibility for its resolution. For example, in cases such as medical emergencies or a significant fire, the lead is likely to fall to Health and Care Jersey or the Fire and Rescue Service. The States of Jersey Police will usually take the lead role in the initial response for almost all other types of incidents, and if this is the case then they will be supported by all the other agencies involved or affected.
Immediately following the declaration of a major incident or emergency, the Emergency Planning Officer will co-ordinate all resources to provide support to the emergency services and the other responders.
The Government of Jersey will take the lead role in helping Jersey's community, environment and economy to recover after a major incident or emergency.
The Emergencies Council
By law, Jersey must have an Emergencies Council in place. The Council is made up of people from across the States of Jersey and has the overall responsibility for responding to emergencies. See the Jersey Law website for details of the Emergency Powers and Planning (Jersey) Law 1990, and for further information relating to the Emergencies Council and how Jersey responds to emergencies.
Risks to the Community
Keep yourself and your family safe. Follow advice from Government of Jersey or emergency services. You may be asked to evacuate. Call 999 in an emergency.
Flooding
If you live in a flood-risk area, you can take steps to protect yourself and your property:
- ensure you have a grab-bag ready, for if you need leave your home in a rush
- prepare your property by blocking potential water ingress points with sandbags
- move belongings upstairs, if possible
- turn off any electricity, gas or water supplies before leaving your property
- move family, pets and vehicles to safety
- do not walk through flood water
You can read the Jersey Resilience Forum Grand Vaux Flood Plan here.
Severe weather
Storms may cause a loss of power, disruption to transport networks and damage to homes and businesses. Stay away from the coastline in strong winds and when there are high tides and big waves and be aware of falling trees and debris.
Loss of essential services
If you are experiencing a loss in essential services, contact your provider’s emergency number.
Jersey Electricity: (01534) 505050
Jersey Water: (01534) 707302
Island Energy: (01534) 755555
Cyber
A cyber-attack is an attempt by hackers to damage or destroy a computer network. You can report incidents or read advice from the Jersey Cyber Security Centre.
Reporting an emergency
In an emergency dial 999
If you have an emergency or witness an emergency, you should immediately dial 999 when safe to do so.
When you dial 999
- the first voice you'll hear is the 999 operator who will ask which service you require
- tell them if you need the police, fire, ambulance or coastguard
- they will also ask for your telephone number. If your line is cut or you are unable to continue the call, the operator can call you back
- the controller will ask you a number of important questions, including what the address or site is of your emergency. If you're unsure of the location or don't have an address, look for local landmarks that you recognise or any other way that may assist in pinpointing your location
- the controller may ask for your exact What3Words location
- the controller may also prompt you to try and assist
You should not hang up and should try to remain calm.
Reporting old explosives (mortars, bombs, shells)
If you come across something that you think may be an explosive device (a bomb, shell, mortar or marine flare for example):
- do not touch it
- leave the item where it is – even if it looks old and rusty, it may still contain explosives and is therefore potentially dangerous
- call the States of Jersey Police on 612612 and give them clear information about the location of the suspect item
Describing the item and its location to the police
If you do not know the postal address, ideally provide the police with an exact What3Words location, or details of local landmarks. It would also be helpful if you could provide a description of the item, including any markings that may be on it. The police will make contact with the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Officer, who will be able to take the necessary action.
As the Channel Islands were occupied during the Second World War, it is not unusual for people to find various types of ammunition from that period on the beach or in the countryside.
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