Emergency Planning
Types of emergency
Shetland regularly faces winter storms, which can sometimes cause disruption to normal services. Other events, such as the grounding of the oil tanker Braer or the landslides on the South Mainland are quite unexpected. Other events, such as the Tsunami off Indonesia, make us wonder if such events can occur here.
Below are a list of events, which have happened in the past, may occur in the future or are unlikely to happen at all.
- Fire
- Severe Storm
- Blizzard
- Loss of power
- Loss of heating
- Loss of water
- Loss of sanitation
- Loss of telephone
- Loss of transportation link
- Storm Surge/Flooding
- Exceptional Events
Fire
Fire is a constant risk in the home.
You should ensure that smoke detectors are fitted in your home and are tested regularly to ensure their operation.
You should identify two safe routes of escape from each room in your house in case fire should block the normal exit.
You should identify two safe places to meet as part of your Family Emergency Plan:
- right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire
- somewhere outside your neighbourhood, in case you cannot get back to your home. Everyone should know the address and phone number. This should be part of your Family Emergency Contact Plan
For further advice on how to prepare for and cope with a fire, contact the local Fire Prevention Officer of the Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (Shetland).
Severe Storm
Severe storms are a regular part of Shetland life, especially during the winter months. Disruptions can be caused to road, air and sea transportation. Disruptions can be caused to electricity supplies by the blowing down of power cables or lightning strike to electricity supply infrastructure. Communications can also be disrupted by lightning strike.
Properties in Shetland are generally built to withstand winter storms, but damage does sometimes occur.
One of the greatest dangers is from flying debris. It is therefore safest to stay inside during storms and stay away from windows in case they should be broken. It is also recommended not to drive for the same reason and also especially for high sided vehicles, the danger of the vehicle being blown over or off the road.
The worst recent storms were in January 1992, where gusts of up to 170 miles per hour were recorded, causing widespread damage, including the destruction of a caravan site in Lerwick. Two tourists were also killed when the hut they were staying in, was blown over the cliffs at Hermaness in Unst.
Blizzards
As Shetland has a maritime climate, low temperatures and blizzards are not as common as upon the UK mainland. They do however sometimes occur and can cause considerable disruption to road and sometimes air traffic. Wet freezing snow can also build up upon power lines and cause them to eventually fail, cutting off electricity at a time when it is perhaps most needed.
When blizzards occur, it is best to wait them out indoors. Driving conditions become treacherous and walking in blizzard conditions can expose you to the risk of hypothermia. In white-out conditions, it is impossible to navigate and very easy to become disoriented.
The worst recent blizzards were during Christmas of 1995 where many areas were without electricity for several days and also some areas could not be reached by road.
Loss of power
This can occur for several reasons, usually associated with bad weather, sometimes man-made, through damage to the power infrastructure.
Power is generated at two power stations, one at the Sullom Voe Terminal and the other at Gremista in Lerwick.
Modern homes and businesses are greatly dependant upon power for lighting, communications, entertainment and sometimes heating. Any loss of power is therefore quite disruptive.
If you intend to use an Emergency generator, please ensure that you know how to connect it properly. If you do not, contact the supplier that you bought it from.
Loss of heating
This is usually associated with a loss of power, either because the heating is powered directly or relies upon power to operate (e.g. oil fired heating).
If you use fuel to heat your home, ensure that you have sufficient to last you through a period of bad weather.
Loss of water
This could either occur due to physical loss of the supply through freezing or damage to the supply pipe, or through contamination of the water supply.
Having a supply of bottled water, for drinking, cooking and sanitation is therefore an essential part of any emergency supplies until the utility company can correct the problem.
Loss of sanitation
This may occur due to a blockage or damage to the sewer system.
In the short term, you may have to make arrangements with a neighbour to use their facilities, or if it is safe to do so, you may wish to move into a relative or friends house until the problem can be solved by the relevant utility company. If it is not safe to leave your house, you may have to improvise using a bucket with a tight fitting lid and disinfectant.
Loss of telephone
Telephone systems can sometimes be knocked out temporarily by lightning strike.
In this event, as no one can warn you by phone, it becomes more important to regularly monitor the local radio stations for public information announcements.
In the event of a failure of the "999" system, there is a contingency plan in place, led by the police, to provide alternative cover by placing radio fitted vehicles in the areas affected.
Loss of transportation link
Heavy snow, landslides and maintenance work can block roads. Some areas in Shetland have only one road to and from them, which means that areas can become cut off, meaning that emergency services cannot get in and people cannot get out. In an extreme emergency, and if the weather and availability allows, helicopters can be used to get around this problem.
However, it is better to ensure that you have a sufficient stock of food, water and fuel to be able to survive a short period of isolation.
Storm Surge/Flooding
Storm surges result as a combination of very low pressure associated with a weather depression combining with a very high tide. This, in association with high waves caused by the storm, can cause flooding of low-lying coastal areas.
Flooding can also be caused by exceptionally high rainfall, resulting in watercourses overflowing their banks, which can be exacerbated by blockage of the watercourse.
Flooding is relatively uncommon in Shetland, but does occasionally occur. The last serious flooding occurred in association with the landslides in the South Mainland in September 2003.
The Government has produced a pamphlet, Preparing for Flooding (pdf). Flood Warnings will be posted on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency Flooding site or you can call the Floodline number on 0845 988 1188
The worst storm surge in living memory, whose worst effects were felt in South East England and the Netherlands, occurred in January 1953.
Exceptional Events
Air Crash
While these have occurred, there has not been an incident where a population centre has been struck.
During an air crash, emergency resources will be directed towards this incident, which will obviously impact the ability to respond to incidents elsewhere.
Shipwrecks
Shetland has a long history of ships being shipwrecked along its shores, the most infamous in the recent past, being the wreck of the oil tanker Braer in January 1993.
The oil released from the Braer created an air, water and land pollution hazard to the communities on the South end of the Shetland Mainland.
After the Braer, an ocean going tug was assigned to patrol the waters around Shetland, to prevent such an incident occurring again.
Landslide
The landslides on the south mainland in 2003 have shown that a torrential downpour can cause landslides.
In areas where landslides have occurred in the past, precautions should be taken if the above weather pattern should occur.
There are no precise means of predicting where landslides may occur. If your home lies below sloping ground that can become saturated with water, there is a possibility of risk. If you are concerned that you may be at risk and need advice, contact Infrastructure Services at the Council on 01595 744800.
Earthquake
The United Kingdom is an area of low seismic activity. While small tremors sometimes occur, it is not anticipated that they will cause any damage.
Tsunami
After the Boxing Day 2004 disaster in the countries around the Indian Ocean, the possibility of a tsunami affecting Shetland must be considered.
Tsunamis have occurred in Shetland in the past, the Storegga tsunami (pdf) (link) approximately 8,000 years ago and a more recent one approximately 5,000 years ago. The Storegga tsunami was caused by a massive undersea landslide off Norway and deposited material 20 to 25 metres (65 to 82 feet) above the then sea level in Shetland.
The likelihood of a tsunami affecting Shetland is highly unlikely. While earthquakes are regularly monitored, there is no tsunami early warning system as yet. But as a result of the 2004 tsunami, the government is looking into the possibility of setting one up (DEFRA).
Terrorist Attack
There is no evidence to suggest that Shetland is a terrorist target.
Emergency Services in Shetland do however receive training in how to deal with different types of terrorist attack.