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calling 999
Use the nearest phone...
You don't need money or a phonecard, just lift the receiver and dial
Don't worry, the call is free !!
When you dial 999, the first person you speak to is the telephone company operator. Give him/her your phone number or the number you are dialling from and ask for the service you need. (Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade). After a dialling tone, you will be put through the an operator of the service you asked for and run through a series of additional questions.
Remember to speak clearly and don't panic
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norovirus (winter vomiting bug)
this bug is an extremely infectious stomach bug belonging to a group of viruses called Norovirus. It is dubbed the 'winter vomiting virus' because it is more likely to cause illness during the winter months. The virus produces a gastro-enteritis illness with some of the symptoms being; Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness.
It is extremely contagious and Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with Norovirus;
- touching surfaces or objects contaminated with Norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
- having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms.
There is some good news in that the illness is short lived and normally resolves over 24 to 48 hours.
There is no recognised treatment for the illness but if you have caught the bug, you should drink lots of fluids to keep you hydrated and wait for it to pass. visit the NHS direct encyclopedia 
for more information
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pandemic influenza - important information for you and your family
Pandemic flu is a type of influenza that occurs every few decades and which spreads rapidly to affect most countries and regions around the world. The symptoms of pandemic flu are similar to those of 'ordinary' flu but are usually more severe.
For more information:
In the event of a flu pandemic there will be announcements on the television, radio and in the newspapers.
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avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza is a disease of birds caused by influenza viruses closely related to human influenza viruses. Transmission to humans in close contact with poultry or other birds occurs rarely and only with some strains of avian influenza. As with all avian influenza issues, the advice is changing depending on new identified risk and advice.
For the latest information, you should visit the DEFRA website or ring the advice line on 08459-335577
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'Preparing for Emergencies' brochure:
The 'Preparing for Emergencies' website has up-to-the-minute information on many items of national interest.
Copies of the 'Preparing for Emergencies' booklet are available, in several languages, on the Internet , or on request to the following address:
Preparing for Emergencies
Freepost CN2223
Croydon
CR9 4WZ
Alternatively you can call 0800 887777, or textphone 08000 859859.
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flooding:
Key messages regarding flooding:
• Visit the Herefordshire Council website which has a section on Flooding and some useful guidance leaflets
• Listen to the local and national radio for travel information
• Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive
• Remember that in wet weather stopping distances are at least double those required for stopping on dry roads
• Keep well back from the vehicle in front, so you have the time and distance to break safely
• If steering becomes unresponsive it probably means the water is preventing the tyres from gripping the road, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually
• Remember the rain and spray from vehicles makes it difficult to see and be seen, so adjust your speed and drive more slowly and use your headlights
• Do not enter floodwater as there is no way of telling how deep it may be. This applies if you are on foot as well as in a vehicle - manhole covers may have been loosened or removed so there could be extremely dangerous hidden hazards in floodwater.
• Please respect road closure signs - they are there for your safety and mean the road is impassable.
• Avoid any non essential journeys
The Environment Agency publish a wide-range of information relating to flooding on their national website including current flood warnings in force, managing flood risk, flooding reports and an interactive flood risk map.
Area Flood Warning Office
Environment Agency, Wales Rivers House, St Mellons Business Park, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0EY
Telephone: 08708 506506
Floodline: 0845 9881188
Website Flooding Section
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Herefordshire Council guide to emergency planning:
Herefordshire Council have produced a downloadable guide to emergency planning which gives you lots of useful information. There is also a wide-range of information on the 'Planning for emergencies' section of the Herefordshire Council website.
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accidents and emergencies:
For severe injuries either dial 999 for an ambulance or go to Accident and Emergency Departments at:
Hereford County Hospital
Union Walk, Hereford, HR1 2ER
Telephone: 01432 355 444
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road, Gloucester, GL1 3NN
Telephone: 08454 222222
Worcestershire Royal Hospital General A and E service available.
Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, WR5 1DD
Telephone: 01905 763 333
Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service
Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD
Telephone: 01886 834200
Worcestershire NHS Website
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minor injuries:
If in doubt phone NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (24 hours confidential helpline). They can advise you whether you should seek emergency treatment or visit your GP or self-treatment at home. You can also visit the NHS Direct Website
Search for your nearest Doctors, Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacies, Hospitals and Walk-In-Centres using the NHS Website
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heatwaves
The latest version of the Department of Health Heatwave Plan has recently been produced.This Department of Health website includes advice and guidance for alerting people once a heatwave has been forecast, and advising them what to do during a heatwave.
For the latest information, you should visit the Department of Health Website
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fireworks
be safe and follow the fireworks code
- When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use "Indoor, Garden or Display"
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
- NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp NEVER use a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
- Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
- Ensure that all children with fireworks are well supervised
- NEVER throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
visit the DTI firework safety site for more information
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childline
ChildLine is the free and confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Childline Website
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citizens advice bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.
Address: 20, Gloucester Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5LQ
Telephone: 0870 1264091
Citizens Advice Bureau Website
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NSPCC
The UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.
Child protection helpline - 0800 800500
NSPCC Website
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RSPCA animal protection
Charity working for animals through legislation. It investigates complaints of cruelty and re-homes animals through local branches.
Telephone for general enquiries (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm): 0300 1234 555
24 hour national cruelty and advice line: 0300 1234 999
RSPCA Website
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Samaritans
Samaritans offer confidential support to anyone passing through a crisis or thinking of taking their own lives.
Local Telephone: 01432 269000
National Telephone: 08457 909090
Samaritans Website
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train information
UK rail travel including train company information, promotions and train times
National Rail Enquiry 24-hour Telephone: 08457 484950
National Rail Website
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Age Concern
Promotes the well being of older people. Contains factsheets on subjects from health to housing, statistics and reading lists.
National Freephone number 0800 009966
Age Concern Website
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DrinkLine
Drinkline offers the following services:
- Information and self-help materials.
- Help to callers worried about their own drinking.
- Support to the family and friends of people who are drinking.
- Advice to callers on where to go for help.
Telephone: 0800 9178282
9.00am - 11.00pm, Monday to Friday
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Gas Emergency Service
If you smell gas
- DON'T smoke
- DON'T use naked flames
- DON'T turn electric switches on or off
- DO turn off the gas supply at the meter
- DO open doors and windows
- DO call the Gas Emergency Service free on 0800 111999
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water companies
Welsh Water
- Account queries: 0800 0520145
- Emergency/Water Supply: 0800 0520130
- Water Meter Enquiries: 0800 0520140
- Leakline: 0800 281432
- Welsh Water Website
Severn Trent Water
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electricity emergencies
- Central Networks (East Midlands)
- Central Networks (West Midlands)
- Central Networks (Midlands)
- EDF Energy Networks (EPN - Eastern) plc
- EDF Energy Networks (LPN - London) plc
- EDF Energy Networks (SPN - Seeboard) plc
- Northern Electric Distribution Ltd
- United Utilities Electricity plc
- Scottish & Southern Energy plc (North of Scotland)
- Scottish & Southern Energy plc (South of England)
- Scottish Power Distribution Ltd
- Scottish Power Manweb plc
- Western Power Distribution (South Wales) plc
- Western Power Distribution (South West) plc
- Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd
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local radio stations:
Listen to local radio stations for up-to-the-minute advice and guidance:
- BBC Hereford and Worcester
- Frequencies: 94.7/104/104.6 FM
- Contact: (01905) 748485
- Radio Wyvern
- Frequencies: 96.7/97.6/102.8 FM
- Contact: (01905) 746644
- The Bear
- Frequencies: 102 FM
- Contact: (01789) 262636
- BRMB
- Frequencies: 94.6 FM
- Contact: (0121) 245 5000
- Heart FM
- Frequencies: 100.7 FM
- Contact: (0121) 607 7227
- Radio WM
- Frequencies: 95.6 FM
- Contact: (0121) 432 9000
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Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
There are 27 fire stations run by the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Visit the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service website for more information on the services available and what to do in an emergency
Hereford fire station is located at: St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JW
and for general enquiries please contact the:
Fire and Rescue Headquarters
2 Kings Court
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
WR5 1JR
Tel: 0845 12 24454
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