Blackout continuity · Replace public services and keep people going · continuity-20

Organise neighbourhood mutual aid and a skills register

No estate is fully self-sufficient for long. A prepared neighbourhood shares skills, tools and watch duties that replace missing public services.

How

Swap contact details with neighbours and agree how you will check on each other, especially in a power cut (UK Be Ready campaign).
Use the UK Cabinet Office community emergency plan toolkit and template to write a simple community plan.
Build a skills and resources register: who has medical, mechanical, electrical, building, farming, radio or childcare skills, and who has generators, chainsaws, vehicles, trailers, pumps or large water tanks. The toolkit asks communities to assess volunteers, tools, machinery, supplies and transport.
List people who may need extra help: older, disabled, medically dependent or isolated neighbours. The toolkit notes vulnerability can be temporary.
Agree meeting points and places of safety with their owners' permission (toolkit).
Set up a neighbourhood watch rota by radio for security in a long outage (see the comms and safety modules). Report to police when services exist.