Warning and Information Sources

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Being informed is being prepared

To increase safety and minimise the impact of possible emergencies, the council and local emergency services use a variety of methods to warn and inform the public.

In an emergency, warnings and information will be issued through radio and television alerts, information updates posted on the council's webpages, and through the council's emergency phone line. The Environment Agency's Floodline, an SMS alerting system for businesses in the city centre, and an emergency siren system for residents and businesses in the Severnside area, may also be used.

Remember, when unsure, the safest things for you to do in a major emergency is to follow the instructions of emergency services.

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Information from the Council

  • For internet updates from the council during an emergency go to our homepage or news releases
  • To phone the council for more information in an emergency, dial 0117 922 2000

Under certain circumstance, the police and/or the council may also establish an emergency hotline number. At the time of an emergency this number will be advertised in the local media.

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Floodline Warnings Direct

The Environmental Agency offers a free advisory service to those living in areas prone to flooding. To find out if you live in one of these areas and to register for this service (as well as to receive advice on protecting your home) call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the Environmental Agency  website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk).

Households and businesses can sign up to receive flood warnings by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text, fax or pager, by calling the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Weather warnings are also issued from:

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Bristol City Priority Alert Scheme

The council, in partnership with Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Vocal, participate in a priority alerting system which enables organisation to receive timely and pertinent information to warn and advise of any emergency that develops within the city center.

The system delivers either SMS, pager or email messages to key staff in an organisation. This enables one to either respond to specific requests from the police (i.e. evacuation of a zone) or, on receipt of the information, to consider the implications of that emergency on one's business and its continuity. The system can also be used to send updated information related to community safety.

To subscribe, or for more information, go to www.warnandinform.com

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Severnside Sirens

For residents and businesses located in the Severnside area, a warning system exists especially to provide an audio warning to areas potentially at risk from hazardous chemical spillages or other related incidents.

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Media

In an emergency, the emergency services will work with the media to communicate important information, advice and directions to the public. The following is a list of news sources that may be used:

In the first instance you should tune in to:

Other local radio stations:

National radio stations:

Local television stations:

Local press:

Online resources:

Related documents

Date for review:  15/06/2012 | Short link: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/node/3846
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