What happens in an emergency?

What is an emergency? 

Emergencies can happen at any time and often with very little or no notice. When they do happen, the emergency services, Telford & Wrekin Council and a number of other agencies work together to save lives and to look after the welfare of people in affected communities.

Emergencies can be difficult to define, as what one person may consider an emergency, another may not. When emergencies happen they are often events that cannot be dealt with under normal working arrangements. The require a co-ordinated and cohesive response from everyone involved.

Command and control

In the instance of an emergency the emergency services will arrive at the incident and the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Program (JESIP) doctrine will apply. Those who are attending will agree which agency will assume the lead service role.

Visit the JESIP website for information about the joint doctrine

Roles and responsibilities

The emergency services and Telford & Wrekin Council work together to reach an overarching aim to protect life, property and the environment.

Scene management

In the instance of an emergency, a cordon will be established. This could prevent you from returning to your home or office for a period of time. Cordons vary in size depending on the nature of the emergency. Cordons are established to enable the emergency services to work at the scene by:

• preventing unauthorised access
• protecting the public and emergency services
• preserving the scene for evidence/investigation.

Evacuation or shelter in-situ

In some circumstances, taking shelter in your own home/office (shelter in-situ), closing windows and turning off air conditioning etc. may be a safe option. Alternatively, evacuation from your home/office may be necessary.

The decision to shelter in-situ or to evacuate will be made by the agencies responding to the emergency. This decision will be based on a risk assessment of the nature of the emergency and the environment at the time. You will be informed of what you need to do via a number of channels that may include:

• local radio
• social media
• public address systems
• having someone knocking on your door.

Return and recovery

When the emergency services, agencies and Telford & Wrekin Council deem it safe to do so they will declare an 'All Clear' which will be communicated to rest centres, via social media and TV/radio stations.

Following the ‘All Clear’ notification:

• the return of people to their homes/offices will be phased and controlled to avoid traffic chaos
• public transport services will be resumed
• transport will be arranged to return evacuees from rest centres to their homes safely.

Last updated: 03/05/2022 15:04