HPA Teams Up with Blue Light Services and Other Agencies for Emergency Show

22 June 2011

The show, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before, will take place at the fire service's HQ in Bradford Road, Birkenshaw, on Saturday, 9 July, and will involve all three blue light emergency services, local authorities, health partners and nearly a hundred charities and community groups.

The Health Protection Agency Yorkshire and the Humber will join forces with the Environment Agency, NHS Kirklees and all Local Authorities in West Yorkshire to host an 'Are U prepared?' themed stand in an effort to get people to think about preparing themselves for the unexpected.

Visitors to the stand will be able to find out what they can do to ensure they're prepared for emergencies by taking simple steps. Local council representatives will be able to advise on how every family can make a household emergency plan to keep their family safe. You can even enter a free prize draw to win a digital radio as well as other prizes.

Visitors, particularly children, are encouraged to come and speak to health professionals from the Health Protection Agency to find out how to carry out effective hand washing, using glitter bug potion and a special UV glow box. The demonstration has proven popular at similar events, showing how parts of the hands can be commonly missed when hand washing, putting people at risk of catching infections, or passing germs onto others. In addition, health professionals will be providing important health advice and information on some basic precautions to keep families safe in the event of floods.

Ian Rufus, Regional Health Emergency Planning Advisor for the Health Protection Agency Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "I'd encourage all visitors to the Show to take advantage of this one-off opportunity to come and speak to emergency planning experts from the blue light services, and other organisations involved in planning for emergencies.

"Emergencies are happening somewhere almost every minute of every day. Most are dealt with by the police, fire, and ambulance services as part of their day to day work, but sometimes an incident is more serious and needs to involve other agencies - such as local councils, the Environment Agency, the Health Protection Agency and the wider health family, amongst others.

"All of these agencies work together continuously to plan how we would react and manage any major emergency. We have plans in place to protect people, communities and the environment in a range of emergency situations.

Ian added: "Whilst we can't prevent emergencies happening, we can all plan ahead to minimise the impact, and this is a great, fun way to come and pick up advice, information and tips so you know what to do in an emergency, to help keep you and your family safe. A few minutes thinking about it now could make a big difference to the outcome for you and your family. So don't wait for the unexpected to happen - prepare now!"

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will have a range of specialist appliances on display at the Show, as well as the brigade's Urban Search and Rescue Team. West Yorkshire Police will also have equipment on display, as well as demonstrations of riot training, police dog displays and underwater activities. There will be combined demonstrations by the fire service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service in a designated crash rescue area.

Children will be kept entertained with fairground rides, while the adults browse the farmers' market. There will also be donkey rides, circus tricks and an Army assault course. The Pulse Roadshow will be broadcasting from the site and there will be a number of performers, from majorettes to dance troupes, and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Pipe and Concert Bands will entertain visitors.
The event will run from 12pm to 4pm and costs £1 per adult, with children under 10 free.

For further information on the show go to www.westyorksfire.gov.uk  

Last reviewed: 22 June 2011