Radio will be the centre of the BBC's response

The government's booklet Preparing for Emergencies (www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites) recognises that a battery-powered or wind-up portable radio remains the most robust channel of communication.

For the moment, an emergency service must be based on what we know will work in the most extreme conditions.

In addition to the battery-powered portable radio, BBC local radio is now available on the internet; and don't forget, a car radio will work even if the domestic power supply has failed.

Joined up strategies

Our emergency broadcast strategies will seek to exploit the BBC's ability to utilise and combine the different strengths of its broadcast outlets to maximum effect.

In many places we have an opportunity to deliver important messages and alerts by harnessing a range of complementary platforms: local radio; community-driven 'Where I Live' on-line sites from BBCi; local and regional Ceefax; regional television and RDS (Radio Data System).