Emergency Planning

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

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 2025 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

Safety at sea

Shipping companies operate to the highest safety standards set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In addition, the safety of life at sea is protected in the SOLAS Convention.

Jurisdictions where commercial vessels are registered (Flag States) have international obligations to make sure these vessels are safe to operate. Find more information on surveys, verifications and certification on IMO.

The Port State Control legislation allows for the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify the:

• condition of the ship and its equipment meet the requirements of international regulations
• ship is manned
• ship operates in compliance with these rules

Jersey Coastguard has well practised plans, including support from the relevant emergency services, for incidents of all types and sizes.

Commercial shipping is usually very safe, however accidents can and do still happen. The most likely incidents at sea in Jersey are oil spills and collisions.

Oil spills at sea

Jersey has around 43 miles of coastline and oil spills at sea can cause significant environmental damages. There have been incidents of marine pollution that have affected Jersey. We need to do all we can to protect the fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.

Protecting our sea water and coast

The MARPOL Convention is an international convention that governs the prevention of pollution from ships.

Pollution prevention on IMO. 

We have developed contingency plans to deal with marine pollution incidents. If an incident happens, Jersey can ask assistance from a number of UK companies and the UK government. We also carry out regular exercises in preparation to respond to pollution incidents.

What you need to do

To avoid oil spills and keep yourself protected in case of incidents you should:

• regularly check your oil tank, boiler and pipes for leaks or corrosion
• report any signs of pollution, whether on land or at sea
• if a pollution incident is reported, avoid polluted areas and listen for advice and information on local radio stations or official social media platforms
• cooperate with organisations during any clean-up operation
• do not look or search in any cargo that may be washed ashore. This could be dangerous and is a criminal offence
• keep pets and other animals away from polluted areas. If you see any animals which have become polluted or distressed report it to the JSPCA

Many pollution incidents can be avoided. If you run a business, then make sure you avoid and deal with pollution incidents appropriately.

Pollution prevention for businesses on GOV.UK.

Marine environmental management: detailed information on GOV.UK. 

Collisions at sea

Collisions at sea are very rare. Shipping companies operate to the highest safety standards set by the IMO. These companies and their vessels are carefully monitored by the regulatory authority in their  country.

Jersey works closely with the other Channel Islands, the UK and France, to protect the lives of those at sea. There are cross-border arrangements in place to assist with this.

What you need to do

When you’re on a boat or ferry, you should:

• be aware of the onboard emergency procedures and assembly stations
• listen carefully to all announcements by the crew
• look at the detailed ship plans on the walls to help you locate emergency exits
• check travel restrictions for carriage of dangerous goods and pets
• check the ferry company websites for more travel information before departure

Safety and environmental standards on passenger ships on IMO

A radiation emergency is the release of radioactive material that may be harmful to health. 
The most significant radiation risk for Jersey is if there is an accident at the French nuclear facilities close to us.

To assist with planning for nuclear and radiological emergencies, the Channel Islands jointly commissioned the UK Health Security Agency to review the potential nuclear risks to the populations of the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey. 

This was completed in 2023 and the recommends to:​

• ​continue the programme of analysing marine environmental samples to provide reassurance
• consider plans to deal with radioactive releases to Channel Islands territorial waters
• continue engaging with French authorities on the safety of French nuclear sites and on emergency communications
• consider planning for the implementation of sheltering and stable iodine, if required, after a release of radioactive material into the air
• ​plan for communications following an emergency, particularly if no action is required. Plan for communicating with visitors to the Channel Islands

The risk of this sort of emergency happening is extremely low, but we should be prepared and you should know what to do.

If a nuclear accident happens, some of the radioactive material could escape and affect areas downwind of it. In this case, the main risk to Islanders would be if very tiny radioactive particles released into the air. The particles could be carried by the wind and settle on people or objects people were in contact with. These tiny particles are unstable and give off radiation.

You could be exposed to radioactive particles by: 

• inhaling contaminated air or gases
• having contact with contaminated surfaces
• eating or drinking contaminated food or water
• having direct exposure from particles as they are blown by the wind

Nuclear event scale

If an event or accident happens at a nuclear site, the public will quickly be told how serious it is, on a scale of 1 to 7.

A level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) is a major accident. For an event under level 5, it's unlikely the public would be told to take action.

The levels are:

• 7: major accident (for example, Chernobyl)
• 6: serious accident 
• 5: accident with off-site risks (for example, Three Mile Island and the Windscale fire)
• 4: accident mainly in installation 
• 3: serious incident 
• 2: incident 
• 1: anomaly 
• below scale: no safety significance

What radiation can do and how to stay safe

Radiation is a form of energy from natural or man-made sources and we’re exposed to it all the time. In some forms it can be harmful to humans and other living things because it can lead to biological effects such as cell changes. This can result in damage to organs or other long-term effects.

It’s possible that these changes may not show up until sometime after exposure to radiation.

The main way to stay safe if a radioactive accident happens is to stay inside with windows and doors closed. So none of the radioactive particles can reach you. 

Public Health Protection in Radiation Emergencies on GOV.UK.

Emergency plans for radioactive accidents in Jersey

If there’s a nuclear emergency in Jersey, there’ll be an announcement on our website, social media and local media channels.

Follow the instructions that you’re given.

What you should do in a radiation emergency

The procedure in an emergency is simple, you should:

• go in
• tune in
• stay in
• go online

Go In: In a radiation emergency go indoors and:

• close all your doors and windows
• switch off fans, ventilation equipment or appliances such as central heating boilers and gas fires, which draw air from outside 
• put out or damp down open fires

Tune In: Keep reading, listening and watching the up to date information and advice we’ll publish on our website, media channels and social media.

Stay In: Don’t go outside, where radiation could be higher, unless you’re told to. Make sure you:

• keep pets indoors, to stop them bringing possible contamination into the house
• if your children are at school, the school will look after them. Going to collect your children may expose you and them to radiation

Go online: Look for information and advice from trusted sources, such as the Government or mainstream media. 

Who you can call

Only call 999 if you have a health emergency. Do not call this number for general enquiries.

Don’t use your mobile or landline unless you urgently need help or advice as networks might be overloaded during an emergency. If you must make a call, keep it short.

Effects on food and drinks

It’s unlikely that tap water, food or drink that is covered or sealed, will be affected. Do not use food you grow in your garden unless picked before the emergency.

More advice and information on this will be given out as an incident progresses. 

Advice will also be given to farmers, fishermen and other food producers.
 

When the immediate danger passes

You should keep listening and looking for announcements and updates on the news.

The Government will liaise with responding agencies to deal with the release of information. As soon as it’s completely safe to go outside again, we’ll announce it on local radio, television, and social media channels.

In the days following the emergency, health experts will carry out checks on the air, water and soil to make sure it continues to be safe. There’ll be more information on any further action you need to take in all news channels, including the newspapers. An information phone helpline will be made available.

Companies often fail to prepare for events that can have a significant impact on their operations.

These are just some of the many incidents an organisation needs to consider and plan for.

• supply chain failure: you do not have access to materials, goods or services
• utilities outage: you do not have access to electricity, water, internet or telephony services
• cyber incident: you have suffered a cyber-attack and your systems are unavailable
• pandemic: has the potential to impact services through our work force. 

Use the toolkit to help you with creating your own plan.