This information has been put together to help residents in the event of an emergency. It covers various situations which could occur in the village which could cause difficulties for some, or all, of the residents, and what has been planned to help with these problems.
The Town Council hopes that these situations will never arise, but it is best to be as prepared as possible so that we can help ourselves, at least for a limited time. This leaflet is intended to give you some information on what the Town Council thought might occur, and what we could do about it. We will also make some suggestions about what you could keep in the home by way of emergency supplies, and who to contact if you need help. Some of this information you will know already, but you might find it useful to refer to this page should the need arise or print off to have easily at hand.
What kind of emergencies could we encounter?
- Flooding
- Moorland Fires
- Heavy snow
- High winds
- Loss of electricity supply
- Loss of water supply
Here are some suggestions about what YOU should do in an emergency and who you should contact. Also we suggest a few precautions that you could take
If heavy snow is forecast, ensure any valuable electrical equipment or vehicles are sheltered or undercover. Stock up with tins or long life food in case the roads are blocked and you are unable to reach the shops for a few days, and ensure that you have adequate heating fuel. During a storm, stay indoors as much as possible and keep windows and doors closed to minimise heat loss. There is grit available throughout the village.
Dial 999, listen to the advice that the operator gives you then give what help you can. In the case of chest pain with collapse use a defibrillator, if available; open the box and follow the audible instructions. There is a defib in the DMI (outside on the right as you enter the main reception).
For non life threatning medical assistance
Contact the NHS through your GP or by dialling 111. Should the call to the GP or to 111 then be assessed as an emergency it will be treated as if a 999 call has been made – ambulance clinicians will be sent and emergency advice given on the ‘phone.
If high winds are expected, check walls, fences, roofs and chimneys to see if there is anything that could be damaged. If time, then get any problems attended to. Regular pruning of vulnerable trees can prevent them from blowing over or from branches breaking off. Secure loose objects, such as garden furniture or anything else that can be blown into windows, and park cars either in a garage or somewhere away from trees, walls and fences, if possible. High winds often cause a failure of the electricity supply, so set up alternative cooking facilities, if you have them, and stock up with food in case roads are closed due to fallen trees.
Switch off all electrical appliances, remove plugs from sockets and turn off the main electricity switch. Unplug the telephone, if it is likely to be submerged, and move it out of the way of the water. Move valuables and anything else you can to higher levels if possible. The Town Council has a key for the gate near the Salt Flow and will open it when the main road is flooded to divert vehicles.
If you notice a fire please ring 999 immediately and then leave the area as quickly as you can. If you have a vehicle in the vicinity, move it out of the way as soon as possible.
Dial 999, listen to the advice that the operator gives you then give what help you can. In the case of chest pain with collapse use a defibrillator, if available; open the box and follow the audible instructions. There is a defib in the DMI (outside on the right as you enter the main reception).
Keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours. If you are unable to give any help that is needed, please contact the Clerk on 01274 505775.
Contact your landline, mobile phone or broadband provider. In an emergency you should still be able to call 999 on a mobile phone. If for whatever reason this is not possible then ask a neighbour to make contact with one of those people listed (see 14). This may require you to make a personal visit.
This can happen at any time of the year, but is more common during the winter. There are several things we can do as individual householders, such as ensuring that we have a torch, plenty of candles, matches, or other ways of lighting our houses, and putting them in a handy place. One idea could be to have an Emergency Box (see below for suggestions as to what to put in it). If possible, invest in other types of heating such as calor gas stoves. Many householders in the village have alternate types of cooking facilities and have said that they are happy to help out. If necessary, then, ways of providing hot meals in an extended power cut, can be organised. A battery operated radio will keep you in touch with the outside world and will give you information about road and school closures.
The Town Council will open the DMI if the situation warrants it. Please contact 01274 505775.
As with the electricity supply, there is no way of knowing when it could occur. There are independent water supplies in the village, if we need them, and in an extended failure of supply, the water company will provide bottled water. If collecting a supply of bottled water is a problem, please contact us and we can arrange a delivery.
Evacuate the effected areas or site dependent on severity and call the Fire Brigade 999. For calor contact (9) 08457 444 999 For mains gas contact Transco (9) 0800111999
The Town Council keeps a list of local people who are willing to provide emergency overnight accommodation. Should a lot of people need such accommodation, the DMI will be open.
We hope, of course, that none of these emergencies will arise, but it is best to be as prepared as possible for these eventualities. As suggested above, an Emergency Box could be useful. Keeping a few essential things in a handy place could make life a bit more comfortable for a while.
Below are some ideas.
- A torch and spare batteries
- Candles and matches
- A few tins of food that do not need reheating
- Cartons of long life milk
- A first aid kit
Use 999 for an urgent emergency, but other numbers are available for information or other enquiries.
Police (Non – emergency): 101
Yorkshire Fire and Rescue: 01609 780150
Electricity: 0800 668 877
Water company: 0845 124 2424
British Telecom faults: 0800 800 151
Floodline: 0845 988 1188
Met Office for weather reports: 0870 900 0100
Town Council: 01274 505 775
clerk@denholmetowncouncil.gov.uk
01274 505775
Copyright © 2026 Denholme Town Council.