• you will be alerted to a major incident taking place by either TV, radio or social media
• if you are outside, make your way home as quickly as possible
• if you are inside, stay in and close all windows and doors
• tune in to your local radio station (Power FM, Radio Solent, Ocean FM, Wave 105 etc) and keep listening
• if a friend calls round, make sure they stay at your house until the danger has passed

Planning ahead – create your own home fire escape plan

It’s a good idea to have a home fire escape plan just in case as this will help you feel prepared. You can speak to your family about this and use our handy guide to plan your family fire escape route

What the Fire and Rescue Service does to plan for emergencies

We don’t just put out fires and rescue cats from trees, we also play a key role in a number of other types of incidents that can happen in Hampshire.

Who would you call if a chemical plant released a load of toxic gas or if a petrol tanker crashed on the motorway, spilling fuel all over the road?

What if there was a terrorist attack involving chemical or biological weapons, or a massive forest fire? By carrying out ’emergency planning’ we learn just what to do if disaster strikes.

We practice (with the Police, Ambulance and Military) the way we deal with all sorts of different events.

Mass decontamination equipment forms part of our kit (carried in specialist vehicles). This equipment allows us to clean and disinfect the public if they are exposed to chemicals or to biological weapons.

Heath and woodland fires

We carry special equipment to help us deal with heath and woodland fires.

These are fires involving grass, bushes, trees, gorse, undergrowth and farm crops. This type of fire is particularly common in areas of countryside such as The New Forest, and some of the large parks in forest areas in the north of the county, but will also occur in city parks and common areas. We also receive many calls to railway banks.

Main causes of heath and woodland fires

Generally, these fires are caused by people either unintentionally or wilfully setting fire to the countryside. This may be due to carelessly discarded cigarettes or smoking materials, uncontrolled bonfires and barbecues or children deliberately setting fires during the school holidays, etc. Electric arcing from the large areas of railway network is also a common cause. Everyone can help by taking extra care during the dry summer months.

Arson is a crime. Setting fire to heath and woodland is dangerous and risks lives.

Keep safe with Susie the childminder

Susie the childminder can help you and your friends keep safe and also help you prepare for emergencies that may happen in your home and community.

Click on the picture of the Susie book to read about the adventures of Susie and her friends.