Flood Alert Update....

Flood Alert is still in place for Bradford on Avon. A CEV Coordinator has checked the Town Bridge, Bullpit, and Barton Farm and all are currently fine although the river has risen above normal levels overnight due to yesterdays rain. Currently levelling off although more rain expected over the next few days so Alert liable to stay in force for the next couple of days. For more information on River Levels go to the Environment Agencies River Level monitoring site which also links into their Flood Warning service:

http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/120718.aspx?stationId=3016

Will keep you up to date when we have more information


Kind Regards




Paul Robertson


Senior CEV Coordinator

Flood Alert - Bradford on Avon

A Flood Alert has been issued for Bradford on Avon tonight by the Environment Agency. Currently levels are steady but likely to rise as the catchment drains from todays rain. The CEV Coordinators are currently monitoring but no further action is expected to be taken tonight.

Will keep you updated


Kind Regards



Paul Robertson


Senior CEV Cooridnator

How can my community prepare for Severe weather...?

With the current flooding in Northern England along with other severe weather events effecting our communities more often due to the potential effects of climate change it can be very worrying for communities who live and work near rivers and coasts. Whilst setting up a community group cannot prevent flooding it can help communities be better prepared, reducing the initial impact of an event, and ensure the community recovers more quickly from the incident. Locally trained and organised volunteers are also invaluable to the local emergency services who find the local knowledge of the community invaluable when responding to incidents.

Training of volunteers is key

 



Whether you wish to concentrate on multiple issues effecting your community or a single main issue the most important first step is contacting your local Council or in the case of flooding The Environment Agency. They can help provide support in terms of funding, equipment, and training.

 

We have also taken on other roles to try and ensure that we make the most of our volunteers such as Snow Wardens, Utilities Wardens, and crowd marshalling at local events, but you don't have to be so ambitious for your scheme as every situation is different.

 

Supporting our local community

 

So if your community is at risk there is something you can do. Either start or join a community flood warden scheme. Contact your local Councils Emergency Planning Department or your local Environment Agency Community Officers for further information and help

 

Kind Regards

 

 

Paul Robertson

 

Senior CEV Coordinator

Bradford on Avon Flood Alert no longer in force..

Thank fully the flood alert for Bradford on Avon is no longer in force. River levels are gradually falling and weather forecast is brighter for the next few days. Thinking of those not so fortunate further north.


Kind Regards



Paul Robertson


Senior CEV Coordinator

Flood Alert for BoA

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency for Bradford on Avon. This is the lowest warning level however those in at risk areas should keep upto date with the latest weather forecast and warning advice from the EA. CEV Coordinators are monitoring river levels and weather forecasts but at this stage we are not proposing on calling out the volunteers as the river level is holding steady and the rainfall over the next 24hrs isn't looking too heavy


Kind Regards


Paul Robertson


Senior CEV Coordinator

We Wish you a Merry Christmas....

Last night was our CEV Christmas Dinner! We had a great meal courtesy of the Dog and Fox on Ashley Road BoA and it was good to chat to my fellow volunteers without the aid of a Powerpoint Presentation!

Our Merry Band

The Volunteers Holding their 'Volunteering Certificate of Achievement'!

 

 

Volunteers received a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the evening to thank them for their attendance at training sessions and hard work over the course of the last 12 months. Don't worry if you weren't there to get yours as I will endeavour to get them through to you

 

 

On behalf of the Bradford on Avon Town Council Community Emergency Volunteers may I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous new year.

 

Kind Regards

 

 

Paul Robertson

 

CEV Senior Coordinator



New CEV Coordinator Page

We have added a new CEV Coordinator page that sets out how we manage an incident and includes links to the standard forms we use. We have also included our Snow and Flood Plans on the Snow and Flood pages which sets out the pre-agreed roles and responsibilities for the CEVs during these events.

I hope you find this information useful or of general interest

Kind Regards


Paul Robertson

CEV Senior Coordinator

1st Birthday!

It is amazing to think that the Bradford on Avon Town Council Community Emergency Volunteers have only been going one year! We have packed so much into our first year including over 20 hours of training, a flooding table top exercise and crowd marshalling at 5 events that raised thousands of pounds for local good causes. We have established great links with over 15 local Cat 1, 2, & 3 responders in our area, and are already setting out our plan for training next year.

We have secured equipment and a storage container to keep it in as well as drawn up rigorous plans and systems for using them.

A big thank you to our volunteers who have 'stuck with the programme' over the past 12 months. Without your support this project would be nothing other than a pipe dream!

So what does the next 12 months have to offer. As well as refresher training to keep our skills up to date and to test our knowledge we also hope to try and undertake a live training exercise this year getting us out and about and testing ourselves in the field.

We are also making a grant application to the SSEPD Community Resilience Fund and if successful will be able to provide significantly enhanced equipment and mobility to the volunteers (Watch this space for updates). 

 

(We hope to Secure Funding For a vehicle next year)

If you want to find an exciting way to give back to your community during its time of greatest need or celebration then why not make your New Year resolution to join the Community Emergency Volunteers! We have vacancies not just for Boots on the Ground but helping the volunteers, whether that is managing equipment, raising funds, or spreading important safety messages on behalf of our partner organisations.

Merry Christmas & A Peaceful New Year to all our readers

Kind Regards

 

Paul Robertson

CEV Senior Coordinator

Table top flood Exercise 'Noah's Ark'

Last night the volunteers had an excellent evening testing our systems with regards the flood exercise. The Environment Agency put our plan through its paces coming up with various scenarios that we needed to react to. It was a fascinating evening with valuable contributions from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and the team from Wiltshire Council Emergency Planning. We were also joined by an observer from Bristol City council who are looking to set up similar schemes in Bristol (You were most welcome). Over all our plan seemed to come off well although running through this even as a table top exercise highlighted some valuable lessons and some issues in our systems and communications that still need work on. A big thankyou to Nick Reed from the Environment Agency and all our partner Agencies for making yesterday such a success.

The Team (maps at the ready) waiting to start the exercise

 

 

With all that has been happening in the North of England Scotland and Northern Ireland over the past few days it was a valuable reminder of how important good planning and communication is to cope with extreme weather events

 

 

Kind Regards

 

 

 

Paul Robertson

 

 

Senior CEV Coordinator

 

New Training Diary

Our new training diary for 2016 has been published on our training notes page and the dates have been included in our calendar. Here's looking forward to some fascinating new sessions and refreshing our existing skills next year!

Kind Regards



Paul Robertson