A booklet designed to help the public respond to a terrorist attack or civil emergency has been unveiled by the Government. The 22-page pamphlet includes details of mass decontaminations after a chemical, biological or radiological attack, basic first aid and guidance on how to prevent a terrorist attack. All of Britain's 25 million households will receive one of the brightly coloured booklets in an £8 million information campaign. It has been written by government officials and experts from the emergency services, MI5 Security Service, the Chief Medical Officer and the Emergency Planning Society.
One of the principal pieces of advice is the slogan "go in, stay in, tune in" which, in the event of an attack, urges people to stay inside and listen to local radio or television. It also advises parents not to immediately collect children from school if an emergency happens, but to find out from local councils if the area is safe. It says: "You will naturally want to collect them as soon as possible in the event of a major emergency. But it may not be safe to do so." Other advice in the booklet tells homeowners to keep a stock of emergency provisions at home including bottled water, tinned food, batteries, a radio and a gun torch. |