Normal – no active emergency
Alston MoorEmergency Response Group

When communications are down

What to do when mobile phones, landlines and the internet are not working during an emergency.

Life-threatening emergency?

If you have a life-threatening emergency and cannot call 999:

  1. Go to your nearest neighbour
  2. Go to your town or village muster point
  3. Use emergency signals to attract attention

Town and village muster points

Alston

Main: Town Hall

Backup: St Augustine's Church

View map

Nenthead

Main: Village Hall

Backup: Miners Arms car park

View map

Garrigill

Main: Village Hall

Backup: George & Dragon car park

View map

Leadgate

Main: At the junction of the Hartside Road

Backup: At the Black Burn Bridge

View map

Slaggyford

Main: Village Hall

Backup: Kirkstyle Inn car park

View map

Radio

BBC Radio Cumbria

  • 95.6 FM (Alston area)
  • 96.1 FM (North Pennines)
  • 1458 AM (medium wave)

Community radio

  • CB radio channel 9 (emergency)
  • PMR446 channel 8

Emergency signals

  • 1 longWhistle or horn
    Calling for attention
  • 3 shortEmergency – help needed
    SOS signal
  • 2 longAll clear
    Move to muster point
  • RedRed flag or light
    Danger – do not approach
  • WhiteWhite flag or light
    Need assistance

Message runners

When all electronic communications fail, we rely on a network of volunteers to carry written messages between areas.

Step 1

Write your message clearly, including: To, From, Date, Time and how urgent it is.

Step 2

Take it to your nearest muster point or hand it to a runner.

Step 3

Runners take messages to the Emergency Control Centre.

Prepare now

1. Equipment to have ready

2. Things to know

Please print this page and keep it in your emergency kit.