Why evacuate?

Evacuations can occur day or night and are usually a result of a life threatening event. Fires, floods, industrial accidents and incidents can all result in evacuations of one or several homes and businesses.

The emergency services are normally responsible for ordering an evacuation, although other agencies may also be involved, including voluntary agencies.

Once people are evacuated it is the Council's duty to receive the evacuees who have been made un-intentionally homeless for the period of the evacuation.

Access

When an evacuation occurs the emergency services will set up a cordon, which is a controlled area set up for safety reasons or to preserve evidence.

All people within the cordon will be asked  by the emergency services to leave until it is safe or suitable to return. The emergency services have no legal duty to remove you from your home unless the cordon has been set up in relation to a terrorism incident, in which case section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2000 applies:

A Police constable in uniform may-
(a) order a person in a cordoned area to leave it immediately

If the incident is not terrorism related then you are strongly advised to follow the instructions given by the emergency services at the time it is likely that your safety might be compromised if you stay behind in your property. The police have powers to stop you re-entering the cordon even if your property is within the cordon area.  

Where to go

There are a number of options:  

• You should try and stay with family or friends who are as nearby as possible, until the cordon is removed.
• You could try to stay in a hotel or Bed & Breakfast, however this would be at your own expense.
• If you do not have family or friends to go to, the Council may establish an Evacuation or Rest Centre.

   

What to take

If you are asked to leave the cordoned area as an evacuee you are advised to take essential items such as medication with you only if you have time to gather them.

As a result it is recommended you take the following as a minimum:

• Any medication you may need
• Toothbrush
• Warm clothing
• Any specialist food e.g. baby food
• Mobile Phone (and charger)
• Money
• House Keys

Who to contact 

At the scene of the emergency there is likely to be a Local Authority Liaison Officer who will be visible by having the council logo on their Hiviz jacket.

If you are an evacuee with nowhere to go you should make yourself known to the council officer. If no council officer is present you should make yourself known to the emergency services.

If an evacuation centre is established you will be informed of its location and may be asked to make your way to the centre or if it is some distance away transport may be provided.

When you arrive at the centre you will be registered and provided with the basic update of the situation.

Those with disabilities or specialist requirements should make themselves known to the evacuation centre staff so that support can be provided

The evacuation centre

In the evacuation centre you should expect basic provisions to be made available in due course (it can take some time to get these set up) including:

• sleeping equipment: sleeping bags/blow up mattress;
• sleeping quarters will be communal as evacuation centres are usually set up in Community Halls or similar.
• Hot and cold drinks and some basic food.

Updates will be provided periodically with information relating to the incident.