Zombies or Flooding, how can we help prepare you for an emergency August 15 | Latest news

Although rare, emergencies can happen and Arun District Council wants to help residents to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Local authorities are tasked with promoting resilience in their communities under the Civil Contingency Act 2004 which aims to help residents to cope if disaster strikes.

So, how would you like to receive information from us about preparing for an emergency, such as flooding? Please let us know by completing an online questionnaire at: www.arun.gov.uk/areyougettingthemessage Paper copies are also available.

Councillor Terence Chapman, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “We don’t want to worry anyone as, although major incidents are a fact of life, they are rare.

“However, as a council with responsibility for emergency planning and community resilience, it is essential that we plan for all eventualities and not only prepare our residents for a crisis, but communicate with them effectively in an emergency. That’s why we are urging Arun residents to let us know via this survey the best way to provide this information.”

Some authorities have tried bizarre methods. The Centre for Disease Control in America promoted emergency plans for zombie attacks, advising Americans to prepare for natural disasters as they would prepare for “ravenous monsters”.

The tongue-in-cheek campaign ended up being so popular it crashed their website! But it was successful in getting serious messages across.

So how can Arun District Council best get the serious message about being prepared across to you?

For more information, email michael.rowland@arun.gov.uk or phone him on 01903 737922.