Pilot Community Emergency Information Hub
Ripley Village Hall and Ripley Parish Council are working with Surrey Prepared to establish a pilot Community Emergency Information Hub for Ripley.
The Community Emergency Information Hub (CEIH) will provide a trusted, local point of information and community support during an emergency or major disruption affecting Ripley.
The scheme is being introduced during 2026 and will be based at Ripley Village Hall, with equipment and guidance stored at the Hall ready for use if the Hub is activated.
What is a Community Emergency Information Hub?
During a significant local incident, normal services and communications can sometimes be disrupted. Residents may need reliable information, practical assistance or simply somewhere local to find out what is happening.
If activated, the Community Emergency Information Hub will provide a central place where residents and local volunteers can come together to:
- Share trusted information and advice
- Coordinate local community support
- Match offers of help with people who may need assistance
- Provide a local point of contact for residents
- Help communicate information between the community, local councils and emergency services
The Hub is intended to help Ripley use the knowledge, skills and resources already available within our community when they are most needed.
When might the Hub be used?
The Hub could be activated in response to a significant incident affecting the village or surrounding area, for example:
- flooding;
- prolonged power cuts;
- severe weather;
- disruption to communications or essential services; or
- another emergency significantly affecting the local community.
The exact response would depend on the circumstances of each incident.
Where will the Hub be?
The pilot Community Emergency Information Hub will be based at:
Ripley Village Hall
Equipment, information and guidance supplied for the scheme will be stored at the Village Hall so that the Hub can be established if required.
Further information about how residents will be notified when the Hub has been activated will be published as the pilot scheme develops.
What the Hub does not replace
The Community Emergency Information Hub does not replace the emergency services, Surrey County Council, Guildford Borough Council or other statutory agencies.
Instead, it provides an additional layer of local community support and helps information and assistance reach residents during an incident.
In an immediate or life-threatening emergency, always contact the emergency services by calling 999.
A community-led scheme
One of the most important features of the Hub is that it will be run locally by volunteers.
Local residents often have the best knowledge of their community: who may need additional help, what resources are available locally and where problems are occurring.
Volunteers may help with tasks such as:
- welcoming residents to the Hub;
- sharing verified information;
- recording requests for assistance;
- coordinating offers of practical help;
- identifying local issues which may need to be passed to the relevant authorities; and
- helping the Hub operate effectively during an incident.
You do not need to be an emergency-services professional to express an interest. Guidance will be provided as the pilot develops.
We are looking for volunteers
Could you help Ripley during a local emergency?
Ripley Village Hall and Ripley Parish Council would like to hear from residents who may be interested in supporting the Community Emergency Information Hub.
There is no commitment simply by expressing an interest. At this stage, we are building a group of local people who would like to learn more and potentially help operate the Hub if it is ever required.
To get involved or find out more, please contact:
Ripley Village Hall
info@ripleyvillagehall.org.uk
Ripley Parish Council
clerk@ripleyparishcouncil.gov.uk
Prepare for emergencies
Community resilience starts before an emergency happens. Surrey Prepared provides advice for residents, families and communities about preparing for emergencies and knowing what to do if normal services are disrupted.
Surrey Prepared
Prepare for emergencies – Surrey County Council
Community Emergency Information Hubs
Find out more about Community Emergency Information Hubs – Surrey County Council
This page will be updated as the Ripley pilot develops and further information becomes available.