- Risicowijzer
Transcription
- Risicowijzer
RiskGuide Well prepared together Sontweg 10 9723 AT Groningen 088 - 162 5000 [email protected] RiskGuide Groningen www.veiligheidsregiogroningen.nl www.risicowijzer.groningen.nl December 2014 You’ve got more going for you than you think! Samenwerkende organisaties: Together reduce risks and limit consequences We would rather not think about it, but even in the province of Groningen, various kinds of emergency situation can arise. For example, a power cut, fire, an accident with hazardous substances or an earthquake. It is important that you know in advance what you should do in such a situation and how you can prepare for it. The Risk Guide helps here. In the Netherlands we are well prepared for disasters and serious incidents. Within the Groningen Safety Region, the 23 Groningen municipalities, together with various organisations, do everything to keep the chance of serious incidents and disasters as low as possible. We do this together with the Groningen Regional Fire Service, the North Netherlands Police, the Medical Emergency Service organisation in the region (GHOR), the Province of Groningen, the Hunze and Aa’s, Noorderzijlvest and Friesland Water Boards, the Public Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Defence. In this way many strict safety requirements are imposed, for example for fire safety and for the transport of hazardous substances. Further, a Regional Crisis Plan and disaster control plans have been prepared, and the emergency services conduct exercises regularly, together with companies too. Despite all these safety precautions, things can go wrong. However small the chance of a disaster may be: 100% safety does not exist. It is therefore sensible to be well prepared for an emergency situation. What we are asking of you If something happens, you must depend on yourself initially. The emergency services cannot be there immediately. Our intention with this Risk 2 RiskGuide Groningen Together reduce risks and limit consequences Visiting address: Sontweg 10, 9723 AT Groningen Postal address: PO Box 584, 9700 AN Groningen Phone: 088 - 162 5000 E-mail: [email protected] Websites: www.veiligheidsregiogroningen.nl www.risicowijzer.groningen.nl Groningen Follow us on: @VRgroningen facebook.com/veiligheidsregiogroningen Coordination and implementation: Veiligheidsregio Groningen Copy editing: Brouwer Communiceert, Groningen Photography: Roelard Smit and others Design: Dion de Poel, Vision d-sign Printing: Veiligheidsregio Groningen Imprint RiskGuide Groningen 55 Imprint The Risk Guide was prepared under the responsibility of Safety Region Groningen. She is responsible for the contents of the Risk Guide and does everything to keep it correct and up to date. If you nonetheless come across something that is incorrect or out of date, we would greatly appreciate your reaction. Contact For questions about this Risk Guide you can contact the Communication Team of Groningen Safety Region, Groningen Regional Fire Service, during office hours. You can also approach them to request the Risk Guide including a personal risk map with factsheet. Remember to include your name, address and postcode. We will deal with your report and take action if required. All information you supply to use will be handled in confidence. Personal or address details will only be used for the reason you supplied them. Do you have questions about the specific risks in your municipality (for example the risks that are reported for your municipality on the risk map)? Then please contact your own municipality. You can find contact details on your own municipality’s website. See also the page Important phone numbers and websites in this Risk Guide. Guide is to ensure that citizens prepare for the risks and thus increase their self-sufficiency. When you can make yourself safe and care for yourself during a crisis, the emergency services can pay attention to the victims who are most in need of help. Preparation means right now considering and talking to each other about the risks and how you can help each other. So you know what you should do to reduce the consequences for yourself and others. Self-sufficient You are self-sufficient or can become so when you: are aware of the primary risks; know what you can do in different situations; know how to make yourself safe; know how you can help vulnerable people in your neighbourhood, such as children, the elderly and people with a limitation; can provide first aid to victims; can direct the emergency services to people in need. Install the Dutch Red Cross’s First Aid app on your mobile! tip! By staying calm, trying to oversee the situation and to act appropriately, you can increase your own safety and that of others. In this way, you can make a valuable contribution to limiting the consequences of the disaster. Risk Guide You can read in this Risk Guide about the primary emergency situations that are possible in our province. You can find out for each emergency situation what is being done to limit the risks, how you can prepare for it, and what you should do if something happens. Because only together can we ensure that the consequences of an emergency situation remain as limited as possible. For you and your neighbourhood. © Groningen Safety Region, december 2014 On behalf of all the mayors of Groningen province (the management of Groningen Safety Region) 54 RiskGuide Groningen Imprint Together reduce risks and limit consequences RiskGuide Groningen 3 Contents Own notes Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 How you will be alerted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ___________________________________________________________________ How you can stay informed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 ___________________________________________________________________ Earthquake as a result of gas extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 ___________________________________________________________________ Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 ___________________________________________________________________ Extreme weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 ___________________________________________________________________ Explosion, incl. gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 ___________________________________________________________________ Hazardous substances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 ___________________________________________________________________ Carbon monoxide poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 ___________________________________________________________________ Disruption of order, riots and panic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 ___________________________________________________________________ Flooding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 ___________________________________________________________________ Terrorist attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 ___________________________________________________________________ Failure of gas, water or electricity supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 ___________________________________________________________________ Major traffic accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 ___________________________________________________________________ Epidemic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 4 RiskGuide Groningen Contents Own notes RiskGuide Groningen 53 Organisations www.anwb.nl www.enexis.nl www.knmi.nl www.nam.nl www.namplatform.nl www.rtvnoord.nl www.waterbedrijfgroningen.nl Risk and height maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 @ANWB @Enexis @KNMI @rtvnoord @Waterbedrijf (088) 269 22 22 0900-780 87 00 (030) 220 69 11 (0592) 369 111 (0592) 362 100 (050) 319 99 99 (050) 368 86 88 Emergency Kit checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Evacuation checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Calling the emergency number 112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 If the siren goes Informative www.ahn.nl www.crisis.nl www.hulpbijautotewater.nl www.klic.nl www.nederlandveilig.nl www.nl-alert.nl www.risicokaart.nl www.risicowijzer.groningen.nl www.rodekruis.nl www.varendoejesamen.nl site being updated @risicokaart @VRGroningen #risicowijzer @RodeKruis @varendoejesamen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 (015) 275 77 00 number of own municipality NL-Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 0800-0080 1400 1400 (070) 888 12 19 088-162 5000 Important phone numbers and websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 RTV Noord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 (0343) 52 47 49 No internet? Do you have no internet access? Then you can get information from your municipality. Or ask neighbours, friends or family. You can also often use internet at a public library or community centre. 52 RiskGuide Groningen Important phone numbers and websites Contents RiskGuide Groningen 5 Preparation You can yourself contribute to keeping the consequences of a disaster or incident as small as possible. Five handy tips. 1. Know the risks in your surroundings Make yourself aware of the risks that exist in your immediate area. On www.risicokaart.nl you can find an up-to-date and as complete as possible picture of these. In the notes to the risk map you can read how you can prepare yourself for these risks. 2. Organise an emergency kit In an emergency situation, such as a flood or a long-term power cut, it is important that you can cope with things for some time. You can prepare for this by arranging an emergency kit in your home. In this there could be for example a torch, drinking water and a battery radio, so you can listen to RTV Noord or Radio 1. You can read about the recommended contents of the emergency kit in the Emergency Kit Checklist in this Risk Guide. RTV Noord If there is a disaster or incident in our province, you can stay up to date with the latest news via RTV Noord. You can hear on this what is happening and what you can best do. Even if the power has failed. Make sure you have a battery radio and tune it as standard to Radio Noord (broadcast: FM 97.5; cable: FM 90.5, FM 96.3 or FM 102.0). You can also follow the announcements on a charged phone, tablet or laptop on www.rtvnoord.nl. 3. Think what you should do if you are evacuated It may be that you have to leave your house suddenly. So consider now, in peace, what you would need to take with you for yourself and any housemates. For example medicines, your proof of identity, insurance papers 6 RiskGuide Groningen Preparation Websites Emergency services: brandweergroningen.nl ggd.groningen.nl www.politie.nl @BRWGroningen @GGDGroningen @polgroningen 088-162 5000 (050) 367 40 00 0900-88 44 Government: www.hunzeenaas.nl www.nctv.nl www.noorderzijlvest.nl www.provinciegroningen.nl www.rivm.nl www.veiligheidsregiogroningen.nl @hunzeenaas @NCTV_NL @Noorderzijlvest @provgroningen @rivm @VRGroningen (0598) 693 800 1400 (050) 304 89 11 (050) 316 49 11 (030) 274 91 11 088-162 5000 Municipalities: www.appingedam.nl www.bedum.nl www.bellingwedde.nl www.demarne.nl www.delfzijl.nl www.eemsmond.nl www.gemeente.groningen.nl www.grootegast.nl www.haren.nl www.hoogezand-sappemeer.nl www.leek.nl www.loppersum.nl www.menterwolde.nl www.marum.nl www.gemeente-oldambt.nl www.pekela.nl www.slochteren.nl www.stadskanaal.nl www.tenboer.nl www.veendam.nl www.vlagtwedde.nl www.winsum.nl www.zuidhorn.nl @gemBellingwedde @gemDeMarne @Gem_Delfzijl @GemEemsmond @Stadsnieuws @GemGrootegast @GemHaren @gemeenteHS @gem_Leek @mentergem @GemMarum @gemeenteoldambt @Gemeente_Pekela @SlochterenGem @stadskanaal_nl @VeendamNL @vlagtwedde @Gemeente_Winsum @GemeenteZhorn (0596) 691 100 (050) 301 89 11 (0597) 537 100 (0595) 575 500 14 0596 (0595) 437 555 14 050 (0594) 69 57 95 (050) 533 99 11 (0598) 37 37 37 (0594) 55 15 15 (0596) 54 82 00 (0598) 65 88 88 (0594) 64 13 33 (0597) 482 000 (0597) 617 555 (0598) 425 555 (0599) 631 631 (050) 302 88 88 (0598) 652 222 (0599) 320 220 (0595) 447 777 (0594) 50 88 88 Important phone numbers and websites RiskGuide Groningen 51 Risicowijzer Important phone numbers and websites If every second counts General alarm number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 In non-life-threatening situations Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0900-8844 Report Crimes Anonymously (Meld Misdaad Anoniem) . . . .0800-7000 Doctor Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0900-9229 (€0.10 per minute in the evening, at night and at the weekend)) Only for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (via text phone) If every second counts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0800-8112 Not urgent, but police needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0900-1844 and your mobile phone including charger. See also the Evacuation Checklist in this Risk Guide. 4. Think of people who need extra help Consider for a moment whether all the people in your own vicinity can look after themselves during an incident or disaster. Children, elderly people, or people with a physical or mental handicap often need extra help. Think how you can help them and talk it over together. If you cannot look after yourself Are you less able to look after yourself? Then ask your family, friends, neighbours or volunteer carer to support you in case of a disaster or incident (and in the preparation). Do you want to know what you can do to improve your own safety? And what you can do in an emergency situation? Even if you have a limitation? The new free smartphone app ‘Personal Safety Advice’ gives you answers to these questions! Or make your own Personal Safety Plan via the website www.wikivarium.nl, the digital expert centre about safety and self-sufficiency. The app is available for Android, iPhone and iPad. 5. Read this Risk Guide through carefully In this Risk Guide, you can read for each risk how you can prepare yourself for it. You can also find information about what you must do (or indeed not do) if something does happen. You can print out the Risk Guide and keep it in a convenient place. You can also request a printed version from your municipality. Fault numbers Drinking water (050) 368 86 88 (during office hours) 0800-020 20 13 (outside office hours) Gas and electricity 0800-9009 (day and night) Cable (TV and radio) 0900-0740 (fault reporting) 50 RiskGuide Groningen Important phone numbers and websites In Dutch This Risk Guide is also available in Dutch via www.risicowijzer.groningen.nl. Do you know people who would find this information useful in Dutch? Then point this out to them. Voorleesversie This Risk Guide is also available as audio for everyone who prefers spoken information. This is also handy for people who have difficulty reading. You can find the audio version of this Risk Guide on the website www. risicowijzer.groningen.nl. Do you know people with a visual limitation, who speak a different language, have dyslexia, or have poor literacy? Then alert them to this possibility. Preparation RiskGuide Groningen 7 How you will be alerted If an incident or disaster happens, everyone must find out quickly. The government has different means of alerting and informing you. Municipality Broadcast Cable Ten Boer 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Veendam 97.5 FM 102.0 FM Vlagtwedde 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Winsum 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Zuidhorn 97.5 FM 90.5 FM TV Noord and teletext See your local TV provider for how you can receive TV Noord. In case of a disaster, TV Noord will also have information on teletext. Emergency services on location It might be that you are alerted by the emergency services on location. They coordinate the efforts of the emergency services and give you instructions to make yourself and others safe. NL-Alert You can automatically receive a text message via NL-Alert on your mobile phone if you are in the (immediate) vicinity of a (potential) disaster. In the message it is stated what is happening and what you can best do at that point. Read the message carefully, inform people around you, and follow the advice as quickly as possible. See also the NL-Alert Checklist in this Risk Guide. Loudspeaker van You may also be alerted by a loudspeaker van in your street. Listen carefully to what is said and follow the instructions. 8 RiskGuide Groningen How you will be alerted RTV Noord RiskGuide Groningen 49 RTV Noord In an emergency situation in our province, you will receive the information you need via RTV Noord. You can follow RTV Noord via internet, radio and television. Internet RTV Noord supplies information day and night via www.rtvnoord.nl, via Twitter @rtvnoord, teletext and the RTV Noord app (free). Siren The siren warns people in the area where the danger is or threatens to be. If you hear the siren, it is meant for you! The sirens are always tested at 12:00 on the first Monday of the month. Nothing is then the matter. If something is indeed wrong, the sirens keep going for longer and they are repeated several times. If the siren goes off at another time, then there is danger. Stay inside or go inside immediately, close the windows and doors and switch off your ventilation system. Follow RTV Noord on internet, radio or television. See also the If the siren goes off Checklist in this Risk Guide. Be alert What if you notice an emergency situation before you are warned? Bring yourself and others to safety and call 112 as soon as possible. You can provide the emergency services with useful information and show them the way. Radio Noord 48 Municipality Broadcast Cable Appingedam 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Bedum 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Bellingwedde 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Delfzijl 97.5 FM 96.3 FM De Marne 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Eemsmond 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Groningen 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Grootegast 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Haren 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Hoogezand-Sappemeer 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Leek 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Loppersum 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Marum 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Menterwolde 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Oldambt 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Pekela 97.5 FM 96.3 FM Slochteren 97.5 FM 90.5 FM Stadskanaal 97.5 FM 96.3 FM RiskGuide Groningen RTV Noord How you will be alerted RiskGuide Groningen 9 Is your phone suitable for NL-Alert? Some phones are not yet suitable to receive NL-Alert. Some phones must be set up manually to be able to receive the messages. Check whether your mobile phone is suitable on www.nl-alert.nl, click on Instelhulp (Help with settings). How to stay informed In an emergency or disaster situation, it is important for your safety that you stay informed of exactly what is going on and what you must do. You will receive information in different ways. Attention! Do not call 112 to ask what is going on. Emergency services on location The emergency services on location are there to bring you to safety, to combat the disaster, and to limit its consequences. They provide instructions and information at the location of the emergency. Always follow these; this is in your on interest and for your own safety. RTV Noord You can stay informed of the latest news via RTV Noord. Follow the announcements on RTV Noord via: Radio (broadcast: FM 97.5; cable: FM 90.5, FM 96.3 or FM 102.0) Television Teletext Internet www.rtvnoord.nl Twitter @rtvnoord The RTV Noord app National emergency transmitter During a national disaster or crisis, Nederland 1 (TV) and Radio 1 will be employed as national emergency transmitters. Information number If a special information number is set up, its phone number will be announced via RTV Noord or the national emergency transmitter. 10 RiskGuide Groningen How to stay informed NL-Alert RiskGuide Groningen 47 NL-Alert In an emergency situation, you will immediately receive a text message from NL-Alert via your mobile phone. You can read what is happening and what you can best do. Read the message carefully, inform people around you, and follow the advice as quickly as possible. Examples NL-Alert 14-12-2012 07:35: Major fire with smoke production. Tolbert centre. Stay out of the smoke! Close doors and windows. Switch off ventilation. New message follows. Twitter (www.twitter.com) Groningen Fire Service: @BRWGroningen Groningen Regional Police: @polgroningen Groningen Municipal Health Service: @GGDGroningen Hunze and Aa’s Water Board: @hunzeenaas Noorderzijlvest Water Board: @Noorderzijlvest Groningen Safety Region: @VRgroningen Your municipality’s Twitter account NL-Alert 30-06-2013 13:05: Explosion risk, LPG truck. N33 near to Tjuchem. Leave area within radius of 500 metres immediately. In order to be able to share information about the incident rapidly, the emergency services employ the same hashtag (#). How does NL-Alert work? In an (imminent) emergency situation, a text message is sent to all mobile phones in the immediate area. The message is free. You do not have to register anywhere, but do check that your phone is suitable on www.nl-alert.nl. Your phone number is not known to the sender. The system works based on cell broadcasting and not with text messages. NL-Alert still works even if the network is overloaded. 46 Internet and social media Websites For an incident or disaster in your municipality: your municipality’s website. For an incident or disaster in your municipality or Groningen province: www.veiligheidsregiogroningen.nl or www.crisis.nl. For a national disaster: www.crisis.nl. The emergency services will also keep you informed about developments concerning an incident or disaster via their websites. See the page Important phone numbers and websites in this Risk Guide. RiskGuide Groningen NL-Alert In your neighbourhood In some situations you will receive (additional) information in your neighbourhood. For example, via a flyer or letter in your letterbox or via a loudspeaker van in the street. An information point could also be set up in your vicinity, for example in the town hall or in a village or neighbourhood hall. Making known what you know Are you in the vicinity of the disaster or incident and do you have information or pictures? Then share this with others, for example via social media such as Twitter or Facebook. The emergency services also make use of this information. But always think of your own safety first! How to stay informed RiskGuide Groningen 11 4. Follow the instructions Follow the instructions you receive via RTV Noord, from the emergency services on location or via NL-Alert. Do not hinder the emergency services. Ensure they can reach the incident properly and do their work unhindered. Earthquake as the result of gas extraction Earthquakes occur regularly in Groningen’s gas extraction area. Most of them are barely or not noticeable, but there can be quakes that have greater consequences. An earthquake feels like a gentle to severe vibration that can last for several seconds. The quake may also be associated with a banging noise. During an earthquake, things can move and fall down, windows can break and damage can arise to buildings and the infrastructure such as roads, sewers and cabling. You may also be injured in all this. What is being done to reduce the risk? The government and research institutions investigate what precautions are possible to limit and prevent earthquakes. They also consider how the consequences of earthquakes can be reduced. NAM assists by mapping out the buildings that must be reinforced or modified. It is responsible for the necessary preventive adaptations. For buildings whose inhabitants are at immediate risk, measures are of course instigated immediately. You can find more information about this on www.namplatform.nl. You can also call NAM on (0592) 362100. There is more general information about earthquakes in the Netherlands on the www.knmi.nl website. 5. Wait until the situation is safe When the siren stops, this is not a signal that the danger has been averted! Only when you hear via RTV Noord or from the emergency services on location that the situation is safe can you go outside again. Are you in a vehicle? Then drive to an area where you consider it is safe. Then, if possible, go indoor somewhere. If this is impossible, remain in the vehicle and shut windows and doors. Also switch off the ventilation and close the grille. Tune your car radio to Radio Noord (97,5 FM). Follow the emergency services’ instructions. NL-Alert and loudspeaker van Is there no siren near your house? Then you will be alerted via NLAlert or sometimes loudspeaker vans. How do I prepare myself? Check the chimney’s condition and look whether the roof tiles are straight and properly affixed. Ensure that cupboards are attached to the wall so they cannot fall over. Check that valuable and heavy objects such as clocks and vases are standing securely. Ensure that hanging objects such as lamps and paintings are properly fixed. Arrange for a torch in case of a power cut (Emergency kit). 12 RiskGuide Groningen Earthquake as the result of gas extraction When the Outdoor Warning Sirens sound RiskGuide Groningen 45 What can I do during an earthquake? Stay out of the vicinity of windows, mirrors and external walls. If necessary, protect your head with your hands and arms. Are you outdoors? Go out of the vicinity of buildings, where for example glass could fall down or roof tiles could drop off. When the Outdoor Warning Sirens sound First check if the sirens aren’t being tested every first Monday of the month at 12:00 noon. If not: an emergency situation has arisen. 1. Go indoors as quickly as possible Go rapidly into your home or the nearest building. Indoors you are usually in less danger. Give others the opportunity to shelter with you. Children who are at school, in the crèche or at daycare will be looked after there. The staff are trained for this. Trust their expertise. If you see people not responding to the siren, warn them. Also think of vulnerable people in your surroundings. 2. Close doors and windows Close doors and windows. A disaster may have the consequence that hazardous substances are released into the air. Ensure that these substances cannot penetrate into your home. Switch off all ventilation, such as the extractor hood and ventilation shafts. Also consider mechanical ventilation. This is the system where a fan continuously extracts indoor air to outside. The plug is often in the meter box. After an earthquake: what happened, what should I do first? For damage that could bring you or your house’s safety into danger, call 112 immediately. Check the gas pipes. If you smell gas, then shut the main gas tap immediately. Check the electricity supply, and in case of damage, switch off the power with the main switch in the meter cupboard. If there is water damage, close the main water stop valve. Check whether the house’s roof or tiles have been damaged. Check whether your chimney has been damaged. Also look to see if cracks have appeared in the house’s outer or interior walls. Watch out when opening cupboards; things that have moved could fall out. See if you can help your neighbours. Is there damage that does not present immediate danger, or do you suspect there is? Then you should contact NAM on (0592) 362100. Or visit www.namplatform.nl to complete an online damage form. How do I stay informed? After an earthquake, information is provided via RTV Noord, and you can find additional information on www.namplatform.nl, www.knmi.nl and via your municipal website. 3. Follow RTV Noord via the website, radio or television If the siren goes you will be informed via RTV Noord. You can find RTV Noord broadcast on 97.5 FM and on the cable on 90.5 (in Veendam: 102.0). RTV Noord can be followed day and night via the website www.rtvnoord.nl. You might find more information on brandweer.groningen.nl, your municipality’s website or www.crisis.nl. 44 RiskGuide Groningen When the Outdoor Warning Sirens sound Earthquake as the result of gas extraction RiskGuide Groningen 13 Fire A developing fire in the house can rapidly expand into a major fire. Rapid action can prevent worse. Most victims in (house) fires suffer from the smoke that is released. Fire can naturally also break out in another building where you are, for example at work or in a shop. What is being done to reduce the risks? The fire service imposes and checks strict fire safety requirements. In public buildings, emergency exits and escape routes are mandatory. Often, an evacuation plan is present too. The fire service provides advisory reports to private citizens and institutions to increase fire safety. How do I prepare myself? Install a smoke alarm on each floor of your house to alert you quickly. Arrange a fire blanket and fire extinguisher and know how you should use them. Have the chimney of your open hearth swept at least once a year. Are you away from home? Ensure that you always know where the emergency exits are. You can also help the fire service by always keeping fire hydrants, water supplies and escape routes clear. For more tips, see brandweer.groningen.nl/brandveiligheid or ask your local fire service. 112 not available The 112 alarm number is theoretically always available. Many measures have been implemented to guarantee the number’s availability. However, it cannot be excluded that a fault causes 112 to work less well temporarily, or through grave circumstances is completely unavailable. You can then try to reach the emergency services in different ways: If you try ringing from a landline in the first instance and get no reply, try a mobile. If you try ringing from a mobile in the first instance and get no reply, try a landline. If all phone services have failed, look for the nearest emergency services office or station. Good to know The necessary emergency services will come as quickly as possible. All calls to 112 are recorded. The exchange has number reporting, so they can call you back for more information. 112 is the alarm number not only in the Netherlands, but in almost the whole of Europe. Misuse of 112 is a criminal offence. Misusers risk a custodial sentence of up to three months. Not urgent, but still need police? Call 0900-8844. Deaf and hard-of-hearing You can report an incident to 0800-8112 via your text phone. How will I be alerted? Via a smoke detector or alarm system. If you do not have these, you will probably first smell the fire. Note: if you are asleep, you will smell nothing. A smoke detector could save your life! 14 RiskGuide Groningen Fire Call 112 RiskGuide Groningen 43 Call 112 Call 112 – the general emergency telephone number in the Netherlands – in situations requiring immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance. For example: a traffic accident (especially if someone is injured), a fire or a break-in. No emergency, but still need the police? Call 0900-8844. Only call 112 for urgent help. So: If a fire or accident has happened and help is needed immediately. If there is a life-threatening situation. If you are the victim of or witness to a crime. And in any other emergency situation where every second counts. Making a report from a landline Call 112. The operator will ask which service you require: police, fire service or ambulance. The operator will connect you. Tell the emergency service what is happening and where. Describe clearly where you are. Mobile phone You can also call 112 from your mobile phone. Even if you have no balance or your phone has no SIM! Call 112. You will reach the national callcentre. Indicate clearly which province you need help in. You will be connected to the regional centre. The operator will ask which service you require: police, fire service or ambulance. The operator will connect you. Tell the emergency service what is happening and where. Describe clearly where you are. 42 RiskGuide Groningen Call 112 What can I do? If there is a fire in your home: Call 112 as soon as possible. Try to extinguish a developing fire with a fire blanket or extinguisher. If extinguishing is no longer possible, get out as quickly as possible. Close the doors and windows behind you. This might well help to prevent the fire spreading. Never use a lift, but go via the stairs. Take children and if possible animals with you and help others who cannot easily escape themselves. Is it impossible to leave the building? Stand in front of a window on the street side or hang a white sheet or towel out of the window, so the fire service can see you. Stay out of the smoke as far as possible and avoid inhaling smoke. Help people in your vicinity to stay out of the smoke as well. Stay near to the ground, because smoke rises. Possibly dampen a couple of cloths and hold these over your nose and mouth. Cool burns for at least fifteen minutes with tepid running water. Only remove clothing that is not stuck to the wound. Call for a doctor. Don’t place anything on the wound. Never go back into a burning building. If there is a fire in your vicinity: Call 112 as soon as possible. If you smell the smoke or the wind is blowing in your direction, close your doors and windows. Do not approach the fire. Give emergency services the space to do their work and follow their directions. How do I stay informed? Via means including the emergency services on location, the website brandweer.groningen.nl, Twitter @BRWGroningen and RTV Noord. Fire RiskGuide Groningen 15 _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Extreme weather Extreme weather can happen during any season. For example, a gale, heavy rain or snowfall, hail, extreme cold, drought or a heat wave. These can cause public life to be seriously disrupted. Hazardous situations can also arise and your own health or that of others can be threatened. How do I prepare myself? Always pay proper attention to weather forecasts. KNMI (Dutch weather bureau) follows the weather closely and warns if extreme weather is expected (this is indicated with code orange or code red). Ensure that you always have an emergency kit available in case you cannot leave the house for a longer period. To this end, see the Emergency kit Checklist in this Risk Guide. Ensure that you always have a blanket, a warm jacket, tea lights and matches and a bottle of water per person in your car. How will I be alerted? In case of extreme weather, KNMI uses code orange or code red to alert via www.knmi.nl, text messages, Twitter, NOS Teletext and media such as ANP, news sites, radio and TV. If the weather strikes suddenly, you may be alerted via NL-Alert. Extreme weather cannot always be predicted unfortunately. It can come on very suddenly and be very localised. So always keep an eye on the weather conditions and news announcements yourself. 16 RiskGuide Groningen Extreme weather _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Do you have more time to prepare yourself? Put on stout shoes and warm, waterproof clothing. Put valuables in a safe place. Will you go by car? Bear long queues in mind. As well as the things on the basic list, take: Warm clothing Food and drink Blankets Toilet articles Tealights and matches First Aid kit Torch Take people without their own transport with you. Evacuation Checklist RiskGuide Groningen 41 Evacuation Checklist You may have to leave your house due to a disaster. You should then do the following: Turn off gas, water and electricity. Only take what is strictly necessary with you. Lock up your house. Check that your neighbours know they must leave. Also think of vulnerable people in your surroundings and pets. Evacuation Basic list In any event, take: Cash Medicines Passport, identity card or driving licence Insurance papers (or copes of them) Mobile phone, laptop or tablet with associated charger(s) Your own additions Add to the basic list based on your own situation. Think for example of extra clothing and necessities for your children (such as food, soft toy, games) and your pets (medicines and special food). _____________________________________________________________ What can I do? For a weather alarm (code red): stay at home if possible. If you must go out, then for safety take food, water, any medicines you need and a mobile phone with charger with you. For a (threatened) thunderstorm: take the plugs of electrical equipment out of the sockets. In this way you can prevent short circuits (and thus possibly fire). Close doors and windows. You can thus prevent damage resulting from severe wind gusts and rain. If you are outside, seek shelter: a building, closed car, or a metal boat or caravan. Stay seated until the lightning is past. If there is no shelter, make yourself as small as possible and keep your feet together. The current cannot then flow through your body. Do not stand next to trees or near to any metal fencing. Lightning always seeks the highest point, metal objects and open areas. If you are out on the water, go to the bank as quickly as you can. For an approaching storm: move all loose objects away from around the house and close all doors and windows. Wait before reporting damage until the worst is past. For a heat wave: if possible, stay indoors between 12:00 and 16:00. This is the hottest part of the day in the Netherlands. Ensure that you drink at least two litres of water a day. In extreme cold: protect yourself with multiple layers of clothes. Also take into account a perceived temperature that is lower than the actual temperature. A strong wind can cause severe chilling. Offer shelter to people who need your help. How do I stay informed? You can obtain up-to-date weather reports via television, radio and internet. Watch or listen for current information to RTV Noord or visit www.knmi.nl. For useful health tips in relation to weather, consult ggd.groningen.nl. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 40 RiskGuide Groningen Evacuation Checklist Extreme weather RiskGuide Groningen 17 Stock of medicines that you take on prescription, supplemented with paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea pills and multivitamins Rainwear This Risk Guide or the mini Risk Guide Explosion, incl. gas Explosions can arise because something has gone wrong with an explosive substance (e.g. LPG) or explosive materials (e.g. fireworks or munitions). They may also happen due to a gas leak or a defect in a gas appliance, such as a gas oven. This can expose you to risk of injury from flying debris and glass. This list is a suggestion. Also consider your personal situation and think of for example baby or animal food or medicines. Also know what you need to take with you if you suddenly need to leave the house due to an evacuation. See the Evacuation Checklist in this Risk Guide for this. Complete this list below based on your personal situation. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ What is being done to reduce the risks? Very strict safety requirements apply to gas appliances in the Netherlands. There are very strict safety requirements for fire safety and for the transport and storage of hazardous substances. Further, strict requirements are imposed on the storage of munitions and fireworks. _____________________________________________________________ How do I prevent it? Do not fiddle with gas connections yourself. Call in a tradesman. Have your boiler and heating systems inspected regularly. Keep to the rules for hazardous substances, munitions and fireworks. For more information and handy tips, see www.energieveilig.nl. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ How do I prepare myself? If you are in an (unfamiliar) building, then check where the emergency exits are. Check regulary Check your emergency kit every six months. Is it still complete? Are the products still within date? 18 RiskGuide Groningen Explosion, incl. gas Emergency Kit Checklist RiskGuide Groningen Attention! 39 Emergency Kit Checklist In an emergency situation, you may have to stay inside for a longer period unexpectedly. You can prepare for this simply by always having an emergency kit for at least three days in stock. Keep your emergency kit at home in a central, easily-accessible spot. Contents of your emergency kit Bottles of water (three litres per day per person) Non-perishable food Battery or wind-up radio, tuned to RTV Noord (97.5 FM) Torch (or dynamo torch) Tealights Matches, stored in waterproof packaging Extra batteries for radio and torch First Aid kit with instructions Roll of bin bags Blankets It is sensible to also add the following products to your emergency kit: Tool kit Whistle Cash and copies of your identity documents and insurance papers Spare keys for house and car Map of the vicinity, road map and list of phone numbers of possible accommodation addresses with family, friends or acquaintances Disinfectant hand gel Charger for your mobile, laptop/tablet and extra batteries Stock of personal care articles such as toilet paper, moist wipes, soap, detergent, tampons/towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes 38 RiskGuide Groningen Emergency Kit Checklist How will I be alerted? If gas has escaped, you can smell it. Note: if you are asleep, you will smell nothing. If a major gas cloud escapes, or there is another risk of explosion, you will be alerted via NL-Alert or loudspeaker vans. If you are in a larger building, then you will be alerted to a gas escape via an evacuation signal or by the company emergency services. What can I do? In case of explosion risk: Open doors and windows. Are you indoors?Then leave the building immediately. Leave the immediate vicinity. Call 112 or 0800-9009 (national fault number). During and after an explosion: Try to leave the building and/or area as quickly as possible. If this is impossible, find somewhere to shelter. Stay close to the ground, shelter under heavy furniture or under a door lintel. Stay out of the vicinity of windows, mirrors, glass doors and heavy objects that are not resting on the ground. Stay sitting or lying still and protect your head and neck with your arms until the emergency services arrive. If you are under debris, keep lying still. Save your voice. If possible, make noises by tapping on pipes, so that the emergency services can hear you. Watch out for loose electric wires; these may be live. How do I stay informed? Via RTV Noord, emergency services at the location of the disaster, the website brandweer.groningen.nl and Twitter @BRWGroningen. Explosion, incl. gas RiskGuide Groningen 19 Hazardous substances Height map On the Height map (www.ahn.nl), you can see the height at which your home or working environment is situated (site in Dutch). This is important to know whether your neighbourhood is vulnerable when flooding is threatened. Under ‘Viewer’, you can see the Height map of the Netherlands. You can enter your postcode on ‘Postcodetool’. You can see there where your home or working environment lies with respect to the Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP). Some businesses in our region work with hazardous substances such as ammonia, chlorine, LPG or radioactive materials. These substances are toxic, flammable or explosive. They are transported by road, rail, water and sometimes through pipes in the ground. The smoke that is released in a fire is not healthy to inhale either. What is being done to reduce the risks? There are strict safety requirements for storage and transport and working with hazardous substances. Companies that work with hazardous substances are regularly inspected by the government. Groningen Safety Region has prepared a disaster control plan for the most risky businesses. These plans are practised regularly. How do I prepare myself? On the Groningen region risk map you can find the storage places and transport routes of hazardous substances in your own municipality. See www.risicokaart.nl. Know where and how you can switch off the gas, electricity and ventilation in your home. This may be necessary for an accident with hazardous substances. Organise an emergency kit in case you have to stay inside for a long period. How will I be alerted? Via NL-Alert, the siren or a loudspeaker van. In a building: possibly via an evacuation signal or company emergency services. It may be that you notice something yourself, before you are alerted. You might suffer from irritated eyes, have difficulty breathing, or smell a penetrating smell. 20 RiskGuide Groningen Hazardous substances Risk and height maps RiskGuide Groningen 37 Risk and height maps The risk map (www.risicokaart.nl) gives an overview of all the risks in your vicinity. Do you want to know what risks there are in your surroundings, at home, work or your holiday accommodation? Then enter your postcode or place name on www.risicokaart.nl. Then click on the yellow button ‘Show the Risks’. The red and yellow symbols on the map indicate where the risks are. The green symbols are buildings where there are many people who may need extra help, such as hospitals, schools and crèches. You can see in the key at the right an explanation of the various risks on the map. You can see for example where hazardous substances are made, processed, stored and transported. There are also indications where there is a risk of earthquakes, flooding and public order disturbances. If you want more information, then click the button ‘Go to the risk map’ at the top right to load the interactive risk map. The municipalities and emergency services also use the risk map, for example in preparing the Regional Crisis Plan and plans to deal with incidents. The risk map is continually updated. tip! 36 Do you want to make this map part of your own Risk Guide? Then download the factsheet (yellow button) about the risks in your neighbourhood. Save this along with the Risk Guide, or print out both copies. You can also request a copy of this Risk Guide including personal risk map from Groningen Safety Region; remember to include your name, address and postcode. RiskGuide Groningen Risk and height maps What can I do? If hazardous substances escape in the building you are in Open doors and windows. Go outside immediately. Supervise children and people who need extra help. Do not use a lift, but go via the stairs. Make use of the emergency exit or choose your own escape route. Possibly dampen a couple of cloths and hold these over your nose and mouth. Call 112 for help. If hazardous substances escape into the outside air Stay or go inside. Close doors and windows. Switch off all ventilation systems, including any extractor hood. Close all ventilation grilles. Douse open flame, such as candles. Keep pets inside. Go to a draught-free room, preferably in the middle of the house or building. Are you outdoors? Walk across the wind direction with a cloth over your nose and mouth. Watch or listen to RTV Noord. Follow the instructions. In addition, if radioactive material is released (nuclear accident) If you come in from outside, put your clothing in a separate bin bag. Then rinse yourself off well. Have other people rinse themselves off first if they come in from outside; do the same for pets. Do not touch them until they have. Do not drink any tap- or rainwater. Cover all food to prevent dust landing on it. Peel fruit and vegetables or clean them carefully before eating. Do not collect any leafy vegetables or fruit from the garden. How do I stay informed? Via the emergency services, RTV Noord, the website brandweer. groningen.nl and your municipality’s website. See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. In case of a nuclear accident, you can also stay informed via Nederland 1, Radio 1 and www.crisis.nl. Hazardous substances RiskGuide Groningen 21 How will I be alerted? If an epidemic breaks out, the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) will provide information via the (national) media. Carbon monoxide is a life-threatening gas that people die from every year. It is particularly dangerous because you cannot smell it. It is released if there is a shortage of oxygen when gas is combusted, for example in a heating appliance. What do I need to do? If your life or that of someone in your vicinity is in immediate danger, call 112 immediately. If you have contracted an infectious disease, but your life is not threatened, stay at home and follow your GP’s directions. Do not go to hospital on your own initiative. During an epidemic, the Municipal Health Service (GGD) will inform you of what measures are sensible. For this, see GGD Groningen’s website. It will then also open an information number. What is being done to reduce the risks? Very strict safety requirements apply to heating appliances in the Netherlands. How do I stay informed? Via RTV Noord and GGD Groningen’s website ggd.groningen.nl. See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. Carbon monoxide poisoning How do I prevent it? Have your central heating boiler, geyser, stove or open hearth inspected annually by a recognised installer or Energiewacht (inspectors). Ensure proper ventilation in your home. Especially when it is cold outside and the heating is on. It is sensible to leave the mechanical ventilation on and open ventilator openings. Call in a recognised installer when you want something fitted to, changed or checked on boilers. However simple the job seems. Have your chimney swept at least once a year. Because if a chimney is blocked, combustion gases can be sent back into the room. Fit carbon monoxide detectors in your home (or combined smoke and carbon monoxide detectors). These detectors go off if the amount of carbon monoxide in the room threatens to become too great. Carbon monoxide detectors last for about five years. Make a note of when you put these into use and check the batteries regularly. For more information and tips, see ggd.groningen.nl (milieu & gezondheid/rookgassen = environment & health/exhaust gases) or www.energieveilig.nl. 22 RiskGuide Groningen Carbon monoxide poisoning Epidemic RiskGuide Groningen 35 Epidemic An epidemic is when many people become ill in a short time. This may be caused by bacteria or viruses. There are many kinds of virus that can threaten health. A new type of virus could also lead to a worldwide epidemic. You can yourself take precautions to prevent as far as possible that you or others become ill. What is being done to reduce the risks? Every year, vulnerable groups have the opportunity to have themselves protected preventively. Sometimes it is necessary to administer extra preventive treatments to vulnerable groups. The national government decides on this. How will I be alerted? You can neither smell nor taste carbon monoxide. Watch out for the following signs: Gas flames start to burn orange or yellowish instead of blue. They also burn higher than usual and flicker more. Windows steam up due to the moisture released. You start to suffer from slight headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, a rapid heartbeat or fatigue. What can I do? Open doors and windows wide. Fresh air must come in as quickly as possible. Turn off the appliance concerned, turn off the gas supply, or douse the wood fire. Warn or help other people who are also in the building. Go outside. Call 112 for help. How can I help to prevent this? Ensure good hygiene, appropriate to the specific infectious disease. Only use paper hankies and dispose of them straight after use. Hold your hand, of better your elbow, in front of your mouth if you need to sneeze or cough. Wash your hands even more often than usual; possibly use disinfectant soap or gel. Stay out of the vicinity of infected people as far as possible. For more information and tips about infectious diseases, see ggd.groningen.nl. 34 RiskGuide Groningen Epidemic Carbon monoxide poisoning RiskGuide Groningen 23 Disruption of order, riots and panic In a large crowd, a big fight or panic can break out. Everyone wants to leave at once, so people can end up packed together. This can happen at major events such as a festival, fair or concert, or at a demonstration, football match or with fighting neighbours. What is being done to reduce the risks? Anyone who intends to organise an event must have a permit. The organiser must take measures to ensure fire safety, emergency exits, first aid facilities and accessibility of the site for the emergency services (fire service, police and ambulances). How can I help to prevent this? You cannot always prevent riots breaking out or panic arising. However, you can ensure you do not start it or go along with it. Rash or aggressive behaviour in a mass can cause a situation to escalate. Keep it civil, if necessary dare to challenge others on their behaviour and report misdemeanours to the organisation. How do I prepare myself? Check via which information channels you will be kept informed by the organisation. For example via Twitter, internet, or (digital) information signs. If you find yourself in a crowd, always check where the emergency exits are. Then you know where to head if something happens. Check on www.risicokaart.nl which events have an elevated risk of order disruption and panic. 24 RiskGuide Groningen Disruption of order, riots and panic How do I prepare myself? Ensure that you always have sunglasses, a safety tabard or lifejacket, a blanket, a warm (waterproof) jacket, a bottle of water and a First Aid kit in your vehicle or on your boat. Fit an escape hammer in your car in a position you can reach easily from your seat. Have an extinguisher or fire blanket on your boat. Take account of the size of your vessel, and check the extinguisher’s pressure and inspection date. What do I need to do? Call 112 for help and indicate your location (kilometre post, jetty number, buoy number or GPS position). Raise the alarm if that has not yet happened. Are you a witness to an accident, but you cannot provide first aid, or professional assistance is already present? Then don’t slow down or stop to see what has happened. You would only cause a ‘gawper’s jam’, congestion or even new accidents. Always follow the emergency services’ instructions. In a vehicle Leave your vehicle as quickly as possible after the accident. Seek a safe place. If possible, stand behind the safety rail. Do not walk across the carriageway, that is life-threatening. Keep the hard shoulder free for the police, ambulance and fire service. If your vehicle ends up in the water, try to leave it as quickly as possible. Switch on the lights, undo your seatbelt, open the side window (or break it with the escape hammer) and leave the vehicle. Also see www.rijksoverheid.nl or www.hulpbijautotewater.nl. How do I stay informed? Via RTV Noord, and while sailing via your VHF (if you have one). For major accidents, NL-Alert may be employed. See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. Traffic accident RiskGuide Groningen 33 Traffic accident Every year there are fatal victims to be mourned in the traffic in our region. Besides these, hundreds of people end up in hospital due to traffic accidents. Particularly weather conditions such as a storm, (sudden) ice, dense fog or the sun being low increase the risk of a major traffic accident. In this Risk Guide, we restrict ourselves to major accidents on the road or water with your own vehicle or vessel. What is being done to reduce the risks? Rijkswaterstaat (Directorate-General of Public Works and Water Management), the municipalities and the province ensure roads and waterways that are as safe as possible. The police check for hazardous driving and sailing behaviour. KNMI warns of hazardous weather conditions. How can I prevent this? Before you leave, check the current traffic situation (www.anwb.nl) and the weather forecast (www.knmi.nl). You can also find information via RTV Noord or on NOS Teletext, from page 700. While sailing: if you have a VHF radio, switch it on (channel 10). [Hidden text: in VHF-restricted areas, such as near traffic posts, locks and bridges, the indicated VHF channels should be used.] Do not let yourself be distracted while steering your vehicle or boat (for example: Don’t phone, text or eat). You can find more useful tips on www.veiligverkeernederland.nl and www.varendoejesamen.nl. 32 RiskGuide Groningen Traffic accident How will I be alerted? It may be that you sense the atmosphere changing or that you notice unrest or disorder in the crowd. Watch out for the appearance of emergency services such as First Aid staff, ambulancemen, police, riot police or fire service. You might also be alerted via NL-Alert or by the organisers of the event. What can I do? Keep a safe distance. Try to keep out of the crush. Do not stand watching and do not approach. Never try to go against the stream of people, but do try to go towards the emergency exit. Stay calm and follow the instructions of the emergency services. Help people up who have fallen. Are you a witness of riots or panic? Call 112. Have you taken photos or made a film? Then make these available to the police. How do I stay informed? Via announcements from the organisers. Via Groningen police’s Twitter accounts: @politie_events and @polgroningen. Via the emergency services on location, the website www.politie.nl and RTV Noord. Disruption of order, riots and panic RiskGuide Groningen 25 Ensure you have an emergency kit at home. You can in this way ensure for example that you do not end up sitting in the dark for ages if the power fails. You can also listen to RTV Noord via your battery radio, smartphone or car radio for up-to-date information. It is also advisable to have always some bottles of drinking water in stock. See the Emergency kit Checklist in this Risk Guide. Flooding In our province we may be confronted with floods of two types: from the sea or from the canals. Flooding from the sea A westerly or north-westerly gale can drive up the water level along the Wadden coast, the Ems and the Dollard. This can be dangerous, because large parts of the province lie below sea level. If a dyke should fail, an acute emergency situation would arise. 26 How will I be alerted? You may yourself initially notice that you no longer have gas, water or power. If the gas, water or power fails for longer than two hours, you will receive information via RTV Noord. You might also be alerted via NL-Alert or a loudspeaker van. Flooding from the canals After extreme precipitation, canals can overflow, if the water cannot be pumped into the sea quickly enough. This only happens if the sea level is too high. The situation can be so threatening that you are requested to leave your home. What can I do? If the gas fails: switch off any gas appliances that were on, like the gas cooker, boiler or oven. This is to ensure that no hazardous situations arise when the supply is restored. If the electricity fails: switch off any electrical appliances that were in use. If the water fails: turn off all the taps. Also think of your (older) neighbours; they might very well need your help. What is being done to reduce the risks? To guarantee safety, the dykes along the canals in our province have been raised and strengthened. They are inspected regularly and repaired if necessary. Water catchment areas have been set up in our province. By opening these up during extreme precipitation, the water board can let water run into them. This causes the water level in the canals to drop. You can read about the other efforts the water boards are making to prevent floods and reduce the risks on the websites www.hunzeenaas.nl and www.noorderzijlvest.nl. How do I stay informed? Via your supplier’s website or Enexis: www.enexis.nl, the Enexis fault app, twitter account @Enexis or a text alert via 0800-9009. Via Groningen Water Company’s website www.waterbedrijfgroningen.nl. Via RTV Noord. Via the website www.rtvnoord.nl or using the battery radio in your emergency kit (97.5 FM). Via your municipality: through the website, a leaflet, a letter or an information point in your vicinity. See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. RiskGuide Groningen Flooding Failure of gas, water or electricity supply RiskGuide Groningen 31 Failure of gas, water or electricity supply In the Netherlands, we are used to there always being gas, water and electricity. Nowadays we are also very dependent on the phone and internet. However, it happens with some regularity that one or more services fail (possibly long-term). This can cause problems. It could be for example that you can no longer pay by PIN code or buy fuel, that shops can no longer be restocked, and that security systems fail. What is being done to reduce the risks? Providers must do everything to ensure that water, gas and electricity (and also internet and phones) are always available. Faults must be remedied as quickly as possible. If you have no drinking water supply from the tap for over 24 hours, your water company will arrange a supply point in your vicinity. How can I help to prevent this? Don’t just start digging work; there might be cables or pipelines in your garden. If connections have to be installed or moved, engage a tradesman. See www.klic.nl if you want to know exactly where connections run through your soil. Are you suffering from a power or gas fault that is probably not to do with the electrical or gas system in your home? Then call the National Gas and Electricity Fault Number: 0800-9009. How do I prepare myself? Are you very dependent on electricity? Then consider purchasing an emergency generator. 30 RiskGuide Groningen Failure of gas, water or electricity supply How do I prepare myself? You can check on the website www.ahn.nl/postcodetool whether your neighbourhood is vulnerable when flooding is threatened. If you type your postcode in there, you can get an indication of the surface elevation of your area with reference to the Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP in Dutch). Consider where you, your relations and animals could stay if you had to leave your home due to risk of flood. Discuss with neighbours and vulnerable people in your surroundings how you can help each other. Prepare an emergency kit at home. See the Emergency kit Checklist in this Risk Guide. Make a list of things you will want to take with you if you have to leave your home. See the Evacuation Checklist in this Risk Guide. How will I be alerted? If a flood is threatened, you will be alerted by the emergency services on location, NL-Alert or loudspeaker vans. What can I do? If you have to leave your house, turn off the gas, water and electricity. Prepare yourself for an absence of several days. See the Evacuation Checklist in this Risk Guide. If you have enough time: move your valuables to the highest floor in your home. Is it impossible to leave your home due to the high water? Then also turn off the gas, water and electricity. Go to the highest point in the building. Take your emergency kit with you. Think too of warm blankets, your mobile phone, your medicines and a roll of bin bags. Let the emergency services know where you are by for example hanging a white sheet or towel out of the window. How do I stay informed? Via the emergency services, RTV Noord or your water board’s website (www.hunzeenaas.nl or www.noorderzijlvest.nl). See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. Flooding RiskGuide Groningen 27 Terrorist attack Terrorism is inflicting or threatening to inflict violence on human lives with the aim of realising social change or affecting political decisionmaking. This might happen for example by means of bomb attacks or the spreading of toxic substances. The attack is often intended to cause anxiety and chaos. Only together can we make the risk of an attack as small as possible. What can I do? Don’t go and gawp at the place of the (threatened) attack. Give emergency services the space to do their work and follow their directions. For a bomb attack: go to an open space. Due to danger of collapse, stay out of the vicinity of large buildings. Do not use matches or lighters, due to the risk of a gas explosion. During an attack, protect yourself against material falling or flying around by finding a safe place. Help others as much as you can. Give the policy any information that could help to track down the culprits. Like a description, or photos or videos you have taken. How do I stay informed? Via the emergency services, RTV Noord, the website www.nctv.nl, the website www.politie.nl and your municipality’s website. See also the page How you can stay informed in this Risk Guide. What is being done to reduce the risks? The police and security services keep watch on possible terrorists. Important targets are guarded. For more information, see the website of the National Coordinator for Terrorism Prevention and Safety www.nctv.nl (part of the Ministry of Security and Justice) or www.politie.nl. How can I help to prevent this? Be alert to suspicious situations. A suspicious situation could be an abandoned case, or someone who has noticeably great interest in the security of a building or site. In an acute situation, call 112, and for a suspicion or questionable situation the police: 0900-8844. You can also make your report anonymously via Report Crime Anonymously (Meld Misdaad Anoniem): 0800-7000. How will I be alerted? You could be alerted to a (threatened) attack via NL-Alert, the siren, a loudspeaker van or emergency services on location. 28 RiskGuide Groningen Terrorist attack Terrorist attack RiskGuide Groningen 29