Gillingham Shopping Center Emergency Alert | Evacuation and Response Info

This page explains what to do if an emergency alert or evacuation happens at Gillingham’s Hempstead Valley shopping centre. It gives clear actions for shoppers, staff, and managers, plus who to contact.

An emergency alert at the centre means there is a safety risk that may require people to leave the building. Alerts can come from the centre management, automatic alarms, or emergency services. Follow any audible or visible instructions immediately.

When to follow an evacuation order

Follow an evacuation order when:

• The fire alarm sounds and a public address message tells you to leave.
• Centre staff or emergency services instruct evacuation.
• You see smoke, fire, heavy smoke, or other obvious danger.
  Evacuation is quick and simple. Do not wait for confirmation from social media. Reliable instructions come from staff, the public address system, or emergency crews.

Immediate steps for shoppers and visitors

1. Stop what you are doing calmly.
2. Follow the nearest exit signs. Do not use lifts.
3. Walk quickly but do not run. Take small children and pets if it is safe.
4. Move to the nearest assembly point outside the building. Leave roads clear for emergency vehicles.
5. Do not re-enter the building until staff or emergency services say it is safe.
   These steps match standard evacuation guidance used in public spaces and retail sites.

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Immediate steps for staff and tenants

1. Use your trained evacuation role. Check your store quickly for anyone left behind only if safe.
2. Shut down high-risk equipment only if time allows and it is safe. Do not delay evacuation for this.
3. Report to your designated assembly point and to centre staff or a fire marshall.
4. Give staff names of anyone unaccounted for to the incident controller or emergency services.
5. Keep clear of emergency service operations and follow their instructions.
   Retailers and duty holders must follow their fire risk assessment and emergency plan.

Centre alarm systems and public address

Large shopping centres use automatic fire detection and alarm systems and a public address (PA) system to tell people what to do. Standards and codes guide the design and maintenance of these systems so they work reliably during an incident. If the PA or alarm activates, treat it as real and act immediately.

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Evacuation routes and assembly points

• Evacuation routes are marked by green exit signs. Follow them to the nearest safe exit.
• Staff should know primary and secondary routes in case one route is blocked.
• Assembly points are outside the building in safe zones. Centre management publishes their locations for staff and tenants. If you are unsure, ask at a customer service desk.
  Medway local emergency plans note that shopping centres are treated as key sites in local response planning. Local authorities and emergency services identify rest centres and reception points if a larger evacuation is needed.

Assisted evacuation and vulnerable people

• Staff should assist people with mobility needs, older people, pregnant people, and anyone who needs help.
• If someone cannot use stairs, move them to a place of relative safety and tell arriving emergency crews their exact location.
• Use the centre’s plan for assisted evacuation and any recorded personal plans for tenants or staff.
  Planning for assisted evacuation is a legal and moral duty for responsible persons in public buildings.

Role of emergency services and incident command

• Emergency services (ambulance, fire, police) lead and coordinate once on scene.
• The fire service assesses fire risk and leads rescue where needed. The police handle public safety, traffic control, and cordons. Ambulance crews treat and triage injured people.
• A single incident commander normally coordinates response between agencies. Let them manage the scene and follow their directions.
  For urgent help always call 999. For non-urgent police contact use 101.

Communication during and after the incident

• Centre management should give short factual updates via the PA system and social channels when safe to do so.
• Emergency services provide on-scene updates to the centre and the local authority.
• If a major incident occurs, the council and emergency services may open a rest centre for evacuees and a family or reunification point for those separated. Check official channels for verified updates.

Health and first aid on site

• First aid at the scene is provided by on-site first-aiders until ambulance crews arrive.
• If you are trained, offer help only if it is safe to do so and does not put you at risk.
• Follow instructions from medical crews; move to a safe area if asked.
  Large centres commonly have trained staff and first-aid kits. The ambulance service will lead medical care for serious injuries.

After the evacuation: reunification and centre updates

• The centre will keep records of who left and who is unaccounted for. Staff will work with emergency services to reunite people.
• The centre may close while emergency services investigate and until the building is safe. Management will post reopening details on the official centre website and social media.
• If you need lost property or help after the incident, contact the centre management office using published numbers.

How visitors and retailers should prepare now

For visitors:

• Note the nearest exits when you arrive.
• Keep a charged phone with you. Save local non-emergency numbers and the centre contact.
• If you have access needs, plan how you will evacuate and tell a companion or staff.

For retailers and centre managers:

• Keep fire risk assessments current and documented. Review evacuation plans yearly and after changes.
• Train staff for their evacuation roles. Run regular drills with clear objectives.
• Maintain fire detection, alarm, and PA systems to relevant British Standards. Keep records of maintenance.
  These measures are consistent with UK workplace fire safety rules and guidance for retail and public premises.

Key organisations and contacts

Kent Fire and Rescue Service — local fire authority and incident response.
Kent Police — emergency 999, non-emergency 101.
National Fire Chiefs Council — national guidance on evacuation and building safety.
GOV.UK — legal guidance on fire safety risk assessments and workplace duties.
Medway Council — local emergency planning, rest centre and recovery support.

Practical checklist for quick reference

For shoppers and visitors:

• If you hear the alarm, leave.
• Use exits, not lifts.
• Go to the assembly point and report missing people.
• Call 999 only for life-threating danger.
  For staff and managers:
• Follow your evacuation plan and fire risk assessment.
• Record all visitors and staff at assembly points.
• Contact centre management and emergency services as required.
• Keep clear records of actions taken during the event.

Sources used for this guidance

This article summarises official guidance for retail premises, local emergency planning and technical standards for alarm systems. Key sources include the centre’s official contact information and opening details, UK government fire safety guidance, national fire chiefs guidance on evacuation, British Standards for alarm systems, and local emergency planning documents.