What to do in an Emergency
Do not put yourself in a dangerous situation by trying to help.
Call the appropriate service, numbers on previous page.
If appropriate, and the emergency has the potential to affect other people in the parish, please call Jon Lewis on 0777 3433448 or Lynn Ballard on 07811 178966 who will pass on messages to the Chignal parishioners.
Precise location of the emergency can be defined by using a What3words App which will give the location to within 3 square meters anyway on the planet! It is recognised by all the emergency services and utility services.
Electricity Power Lines
Do not cut tree branches close to power lines as possibility of arcing, the safe distance from a power line varies on the voltage of the line, tree surgeons will get the line switched off first.
Downed power lines
Do not touch or go near downed wires as they could be live and kill you. Also do not approach too close to area around downed line or pole. If you drive into a downed power line stay in the vehicle do not touch the ground whilst in contact with the vehicle
Report damage or problem to 105 or National Grid 0800 40 40 90
No electricity to home
Report to UK Nation Power 0800 316 3105
Gas Leakage
The parish does not have mains gas to homes except in Little Hollows. There is a large diameter mains gas pipe running underground through Chignal St James if you smell gas in the area report to Cadent 0800 111 999. Do not smoke or use electrical equipment in the area.
Calor gas tanks and bottles are delivered to homes within the parish. If you smell gas or hear gas escaping try to switch off at the safety lever or tank. Beware leaking pressurised gas can generate freezing temperature around leak which can burn skin or ‘freeze skin to metal’. Do not smoke or use electrical equipment in the area.
Heating Oil Leakage
Heating oil is highly polluting and should not be allowed to enter waterways and preferably not onto land. Be careful with leaking oil as it is also damaging to skin and a potential fire hazard. If you have a leaking tank try and find the source of the leak, if tank has a split you can block a leak in the plastic using a bar of soap, if valve or pipe try wrapping with rag. Catch dripping oil into bucket/ container, use sand or cat litter to try and absorb leaked oil. You can contact the environmental agency on 0800 80 70 60 for advice, but any major spills in your home or garden are your responsibility. Keep pets and children away from the leaked oil.
Flooding
This is quite common on certain stretches of road in the winter especially after long periods of rain. The water will be very cold and possibly running quickly even though it may look calm. For this reason, and hidden drains, holes or other objects under the water it it’s probably better not to try and wade through the water. If driving, the water could be sucked up into engine via the air intake and thus critically damage the engine. One hazard to be aware of, is oncoming vehicles create a bow wave which increases the depth of the water momentarily.
You can inform the highways on 0345 6037631 but they will not be able to drain the water. Do let Jon Lewis on 0777 3433448 or Lynn Ballard 07811 178966 know so we can pass on a warning via text or social media and possibly put up flood signs to warn other drivers.
Blocked roads
Phone Essex Highways on 0345 6037631 to report blocked road. Let Jon Lewis on 0777 3433448 or Lynn Ballard on 07811 178966 know of the road blockage and we will broadcast the information by text and social media. If a pole, be aware it could be a power line so do not touch wires or approach too closely. Call 105 or National Grid 0800 40 40 90 to report power lines down. If mains water flood then report to Essex and Suffolk Water on 0800 526 337.
Fire
This is definitely a job for the fire brigade; fire can spread rapidly and generate thick smoke. If you see a fire, call the fire brigade on 999. Ensure you are well away and safe then please ring Jon Lewis on 0777 3433448 or Lynn Ballard on 07811 178966. We will send out text messages and social media to warn people to avoid the area, contact the fire brigade control to give them local information and also pass on any messages from them to parishioners.
Injured animals
Small animals can be placed in boxes or other containers and taken to vets. Large animals such as deer or horses are dangerous as easily spooked and run into you accidentally, better to ring RSPCA on 0300 323 0403 and get expert help.
Evacuation from homes and excessive temperature changes
In the event of the advice by an emergency service that parishioners have to evacuate their homes we will ensure that there safe havens open. These may be the Chignal and Mashbury Village Hall on Mashbury Road CM1 4TS or the Chignal Smealy United Reformed Church on Mashbury Road, CM1 4TE. We may also open the safe havens in the event of excessive hot weather as the Village Hall has air conditioning, or very cold and no electricity in your home. Information will be broadcast via the telephone tree responders, Chignal and Mashbury Facebook page or on the Chignal website.
Vulnerability
Personal circumstance may mean you would like help in an emergency. Please let us know so we can direct help to you. There is also a Vulnerable Persons site on the Chelmsford City’s website chelmsford.gov.uk where your details will be recorded and in an emergency you will be given help.