Be prepared for an emergency; CAMPAIGN: Fears how families would cope with attacks or natural disasters.

Byline: By Emma McKinney CHIEF REPORTER

BE prepared - that's the message from Birmingham City Council chiefs today as they launch a campaign urging people to ensure they are equipped for an emergency.

Over the last few years Birmingham has had to cope with a host of emergencies, from the tornado that hit Kings Heath to the Lozells riots and the repeated floods that forced thousands of homes to be evacuated.

Now the council's Birmingham Resilience Team is working with police and firefighters in a bid to make sure city families take precautionary measures to ensure that if the worst happened, they would be prepared for it.

"We are not trying to panic people," said Stephen Grogan, head of the team. "We are just saying that by taking a few simple steps now, people could be preventing a whole lot of problems in the future."

Mr Grogan and his team have been working with local community groups to spread the message about a newbooklet it has produced, as well as a card similar to a bus pass that people can keep their details in and carry around with them in case of an emergency.

"We've done questionnaires to establish how prepared people are and we've discovered many aren't," added Mr Grogan.

"In fact we've found that eight out of ten people don't even carry information with them that would help in an emergency, such as next of kin details.

"In World War II, people didn't think twice about being prepared, but I think nowadays people think that nothing's going to happen to them.

"But you never know when something's going to happen, whether it's a natural disaster, terrorist attack or serious accident."

He said that over the last 15 months, the team has had to provide support to 999 services 57 times in Birmingham and in the last two years, emergency shelter has had to be used by families on 27 occasions.

"It's surprising how many of us don't do simple things, like keeping blankets, water and first aid kits in our cars," he added.

"Some people don't think to take their medication with them wherever they go, but you never know when you may need it. These little things can make such a big difference."

For more information or to receive a Preparing for Emergencies in Birmingham booklet and a card holder to store your details in case of an emergency, call 0121 303 4825, visit www.birminghamprepared.gov.uk, drop in to your local council-run library or leisure centre, or e-mail [e-mail]

FACT FILE:

IF an emergency strikes, you should have supplies in your home to last at least three days, including:

Torch and batteries;

Personal medication;

Blankets/sleeping bags;

First aid kit;

Camping stove;

Battery powered radio;

Bottled water;

Tin opener;

Candles/lamp;

Matches;

Long-life food.

You should have a bag packed in case you have to evacuate, including:

Medication;

Glasses/contact lenses;

House and car keys;

Cash, credit and debit cards and valuables;

Passports and other important documents;

Change of clothing, footwear and sleep attire;

Washing, shaving and sanitary items;

Special items for babies, children, elderly and disabled;

Torch, small radio, mobile phone and batteries;

Food/water/bottle and tin opener;

Wallet with information about next of kin;

First aid kit.

Emergencies could also strike when you are in your car, store the following:

Bottled water;

Blankets and warm clothing;

Waterproof hat and coat;

First aid kit;

Wellington boots;

Torch and batteries;

Mobile phone and charge that can plug into the cigarette lighter;

Shovel;

List of useful phone numbers.

CAPTION(S):

PRECAUTIONS... Mail reporter Emma McKinney being tested by Steve Grogan on how she would cope in an emergency.; JUST IN CASE... the card for people's details.