Emergency advice

Major emergencies

In the event of a major emergency, we can help in different ways.

• Make buildings such as leisure and community centres available to people.
• Provide health and safety advice on cleaning up after major flooding or pollution.
• Assess structural damage to buildings.
• Co-ordinate and lead multi-agency meetings to plan recovery.

We are a member of the Belfast Emergency Preparedness Group (previously Belfast Resilience Forum), which brings together over 65 different organisations who work together to plan how to help the public in an emergency.

Emergency numbers

In the event of a serious emergency such as a serious chemical spillage, a fatal accident in a workplace or a dangerous building that is likely to collapse, report to us:

• during office hours on 028 9027 0428 
• out of office hours on 07850 499622 or 028 9027 0275.

We have provided other useful numbers you can contact in an emergency.

Take a look at our Emergency planning page for further advice and information.

Sometimes during an emergency which we're involved with, we will set up a dedicated helpline. When we do this, we'll let you know what the number is by publishing it online and in the media, and posting on social media when possible. If we know of another agency setting up a helpline, we'll let you know that too. 

Followers and fans of our social networking sites can get updates and links to further information from:

• Our Facebook
• Our Twitter

Critical care registers

If you or someone in your family relies on electricity or water due to a medical condition, you should sign up to the NI Electricity or NI Water critical care registers.

Find out more on who is eligible and how to register:

• NI Electricity (link opens in new window) or call 03457 643 643
• NI Water (link opens in new window) or call 0345 744 0088.

Businesses

Employers have a responsibility for the safety and security of their employees. All businesses should have arrangements in place to deal with the impact of a major incident or disaster. 

Belfast Emergency Preparedness Group and its members regularly deliver business continuity events for local businesses. 

If you would like to attend one of our events, email info@emergencypreparednessni.gov.uk. 

Schools

All schools have plans to deal with local emergencies such as fire and flooding. Make sure you find out in advance what your school’s emergency arrangements are. It is also useful to plan who you will ask to collect your children from school in an emergency if you are unable to do so.

The Regional Community Resilience Group (RCRG) Newsletter

The Regional Community Resilience Group was set up in 2013 to help local communities across Northern Ireland prepare and respond to weather related emergencies.

There are over 40 groups now dealing with the impact of severe weather and climate change in their areas.

You can read the latest edition of the Regional Community Resilience Group (RCRG) Newsletter on the Department for Infrastructure (link opens in new window).

Community support

In an emergency, friends, neighbours and members of the local community often work together to help each other. Some communities have started to develop their own community emergency plan for their area. 

If you are thinking about starting a community emergency plan in your area, email info@emergencypreparednessni.gov.uk for more information.