A leaflet outlining what to do in a disaster is to be issued across Lancashire.
The leaflet – "Disaster Being Prepared" – has been compiled by the Lancashire Major Incident Co-ordinating Group (LANMIC) in response to Government calls for advice to be made widely available to the public.
It points out that while disasters and major incidents can happen at any time and in any place, being prepared is a matter of common sense. "The Lancashire Major Incident Co-ordinating Group is working for you and with you to make sure we are as prepared as possible if the worst happens," it says.
The need to integrate procedures, training, and planning by all the services and agencies required to respond to a disaster was identified by the Home Office more than a decade ago. As a result LANMIC was formed in 1994 to bring together the expertise of all the emergency and voluntary service organisations in the county.
Chaired by an assistant chief constable of Lancashire Constabulary, LANMIC has representatives from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire Ambulance Service, Lancashire County Council, the unitary authorities, health authorities, the coastguard, the NHS, the Environment Agency, and the military.
Superintendent Mark Bartlett said: "The group meets regularly and considers all aspects of strategy and policy for major incident and disaster management, including joint training and exercising in Lancashire and adjoining areas. But, while all the emergency services are well briefed, we felt it was important that the public should know what to do in the event of an emergency.
"This leaflet has been produced to give sensible advice and practical information from various agencies. It builds on a document that was issued by the Government earlier this year, but while that booklet gave general information, we believe this leaflet will be useful because of the specific Lancashire-based advice."
"It is important that people know what to do in an emergency but we don’t want them to be unnecessarily alarmed. The leaflet warns of the potential hazards that could follow a major incident such as disruption to utilities and roads. It offers useful advice and telephone numbers for further information."
The leaflet is available from libraries, police stations, and other public buildings.
