Select Page

Community Resilience Strategy

Support for Cruden Bay During Emergencies

Standing Together in Times of Need

Cruden Bay is a village that looks after its own. When storms, power cuts, or emergencies strike, our Community Resilience Strategy ensures everyone has access to warmth, safety, and connection—even when modern communications go down.

At the heart of our plan is Port Erroll Public Hall—our community’s emergency hub.

Port Erroll Public Hall: Our Emergency Hub

Port Erroll Public Hall is equipped with a backup generator, ensuring it can stay operational during power outages. The Hall will serve as a central hub, offering:

  • ✅ A warm, safe space for all ages

  • 🔌 Charging stations for phones and essential medical devices

  • 🫖 Hot drinks and simple meals (subject to volunteer availability)

  • 🍼 Support for families with infants, including heating bottles and baby food

  • 🩹 Basic first aid and emotional support

  • ℹ️ Emergency updates and reliable information

When Will the Hall Open?

The Hall will open when:

  • Power is off for 4 hours or more or likely to remain off overnight

  • Severe weather warnings are issued (Yellow, Amber, or Red)

  • Advised by Aberdeenshire Council or emergency services

  • Total communications blackout occurs (loss of internet and mobile coverage)

How Will You Know?

If Communications Are Working:

  • Cruden Bay Life website updates

  • Facebook community pages

  • Posters in local shops, the school, and pharmacy

  • Word-of-mouth from Street Champions and volunteers

If Communications Are Down:

When internet and mobile networks are unavailable, we switch to simple, old-school communication:

  • 🚨 Cruden Bay Coast Guard Team may be deployed to spread the message across the village

  • 📢 Volunteer drivers with megaphones will drive through streets, announcing:

    • “The Port Erroll Hall is open as a warm space. Please check on neighbours and help them get there if needed.”

  • 🏡 Street Champions and door-to-door checks will help spread the word locally

No internet? No phone? You’ll still hear us.

What to Do During an Emergency

If an emergency occurs:

1. Check on your neighbours, especially elderly or vulnerable residents

2. Head to Port Erroll Public Hall if you need heat, power, or help

3. Bring essentials, including medications, baby supplies, warm clothes

4. Follow volunteers’ guidance and look for public announcements

5. Let someone know you’re safe, if possible

Volunteer for Community Resilience

We need local hands and hearts to help power this strategy. Volunteers are trained and supported in roles like:

  • Hall support (serving refreshments, welcoming residents)

  • Street Champion (door-to-door check-ins and alerts)

  • Driver/megaphone operator

  • First aid or emotional support volunteers

  • Infant/family care assistance

Sign up here to volunteer 

Emergency Satellite Phone Access

We’re arranging for a community satellite phone, to be kept at the Hall.

In the event of total network failure, this will allow residents to:

  • Contact emergency services

  • Reach loved ones

  • Report urgent medical or safety needs

This ensures a critical line of communication even in a full blackout.

Community Resilience Map (Coming Soon)

We’re developing a community resilience map to highlight:

  • The Port Erroll Public Hall emergency hub

  • Locations of public defibrillators

  • Volunteer or Street Champion contacts (opt-in only)

Stay tuned for this new resource.

Prepare Your Home: Emergency Kit Checklist

We also encourage every household to prepare:

  • Torch and spare batteries

  • Power bank

  • Bottled water and ready-to-eat food

  • Warm clothes and blankets

  • Baby care items (if applicable)

  • Battery-powered radio

  • Copies of emergency contacts and prescriptions

We Look After Our Own

This strategy is built on the simplest, most effective approach: community care.

Whether through posters, megaphones, Coast Guard alerts or a warm cuppa at the Hall, we’ll make sure everyone knows where to go and how to get help—even if we’re off-grid.

Cruden Bay is ready. Are you?
Let’s stand together, plan ahead, and keep our community strong—whatever comes our way.

Key Contacts

  • Emergency Services: 999 (urgent), 101 (non-urgent police)

  • SSEN (Power Cut Helpline): 105 or ssen.co.uk

  • Aberdeenshire Council: 03456 08 12 08

  • Local GP / Out of Hours NHS 24: 111

  • Port Erroll Public Hall Facebook Page

Port ErrollPublic Hall