Flood Alert Volunteers Stood Down...

After 48hrs on duty with the Environment Agency watching over the temporary flood barriers we are now stood down. The flood alert is still active although the river levels are dropping. The EA are removing the barriers this evening and we will continue to keep an eye on the river as it remains on alert.

This is our second alert this year and a good test of our response, equipment, and systems. Thankfully the river did not go over the banks in the centre of town although the Bridge and Holt Road at Staverton have been flooded with reports of vehicles stuck and drivers needing to be rescued. (When will people learn not to ignore the signs!)

Kind Regards


Paul Robertson

Senior CEV Coordinator

Flood Alert Update...

With the rain still falling rivers are set to rise although looking at the weather radar the worst of the heavy rain seems to be running up to the west of us in Devon and Cornwall. We are monitoring the online river gauge at Westwood to see how the river levels are reacting to this additional downpour. Keep upto date via our twitter feed @BoATCCEVs

River images from 9am this morning

 

 

Kind Regards

 

 

 

Paul Robertson

 

 

Senior CEV Coordinator

Flood Alert - Bradford on Avon...

Earlier this afternoon the Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the River Avon at Bradford and we are currently monitoring levels with further heavy rain forecast for the next 24hrs. Whilst currently only just on the threshold of a flood alert the catchment can be sensitive to sudden deluges and whilst there is plenty of room in the river to cope with more rainfall the Flood alert is a chance for those who might be at risk to review their flood preparations and ensure their plans are in order.

For further updates please follow us on twitter @BoATCCEVs where we will keep you updated on the status of the river and warning levels.

Kind Regards


Paul Robertson

Senior CEV Coordinator

16th Nov - A Busy Training Night...

A really busy training night last night with guests from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and South west Ambulance Service. David Wilmot of SwasFT introduced us to the First Responder Scheme and how it may work in Bradford on Avon. The CEVs are very keen to support this initiative in our community and I'm pleased to say several of our volunteers showed an interest in signing up

Here is a promotional video by the ambulance service explaining more:

If you think you might be interested in joining a community first responder scheme in your area please do get in touch with your local Ambulance First Responder Coordinator.

(David Wilmot showing our volunteers the kind of kit community responders carry)

It was also good to welcome Neil Chamberlain the Community Volunteer Coordinator from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue. He explained how the Fire service are actively seeking to engage volunteers in their community safety work and was particularly interested in getting to know who are the vulnerable people in our communities who might benefit from free home safety checks and smoke alarms.

As well as all this we also undertook our vehicle safety training (a copy of which is now in our training notes page as well as an updated vehicle safety manual). Please do take a look whether you are going to be driving the vehicle or not.

Many thanks to everyone for your on going support. This was our last training session of the year (before the onset of the festive season) so may I wish you all a prosperous and safe Christmas and new year (I know its a bit early!)

Kind Regards



Paul Robertson


Senior CEV Coordinator

 

2017 Training Diary...

Our 2017 training diary has now been posted on our training notes section

2017 Training Diary


Kind Regards


Paul Robertson

Senior Coordinator

The Vehicle has arrived in the nick of time...

This afternoon we have just received our vehicle back from Spectra the coach builders of Westbury just in time to help with crowd marshalling at the fireworks night tomorrow. Many thanks to Richard Hayes and his team for such a good job.

I had to check that the lights work! Hope to see you at the fireworks event tomorrow

Kind Regards


Paul Robertson

"The Mighty Moose!"...

With the roll out of our new vehicle fast approaching I was chatting to a fellow volunteer about the size of the lightbar on our new vehicle. Bit of a mistake on the part of yours truly in terms of measuring up (or the lack of) but having it mounted on our vehicle did rather remind us of the largest member of the deer family native to North American (Greetings to our US readers by the way. There have been a lot of you lately and you are most welcome to our site - I hope you are finding it of interest)

Do you think we should make it official? I've been assured we shall have our vehicle in time for November 5th (This Saturday) when we are crowd marshalling for our local Bonfire Night. A quaint British custom of celebrating the foiling of a plot to blow up our parliament several hundred years ago by burning an effigy of the ring leader (Guy fawkes) on a big fire, and eating seasonal fruit on a stick covered in rock hard toffee (Fun for all the family!).

 



In Bradford on Avon we don't burn a Guy anymore and its candy floss and burgers rather than toffee apples (Easier on the teeth!). Last year we looked after 4000 people so our 19 volunteers are hopefully going to be busy again!

If your in the area do come along as all money raised goes to our local schools for purchasing extra stuff and feel free to say hello and hopefully admire our vehicle!

Kind Regards



Paul Robertson


Senior Coordinator

We're looking to expand our role....

Building Community Resilience is all encompassing and we are hoping to take a big step up over the next few months by working with the South West Ambulance Service to set up a First responder Scheme in Bradford on Avon. With the equipment we have recently purchased and equipment that can be supplied by SWASFT we are now on a recruitment drive to find volunteers to be on call to help cover our town and outlying villages.

If you are interested and want to find out more why not come along to our next training session at the BoA Fire Station at 8pm on the 16/11/16 for an introductory chat about the scheme by David Wilmot the Community First Responder Coordinator for Wiltshire. (Please note there is no parking at the Fire Station)

Hope to see you there


Kind Regards



Paul Robertson


Senior Coordinator

Our vehicle is nearing completion....

Not long now until our vehicle will be completed. The latest shots from our coachbuilders Spectra of Westbury:

The light bar seems a bit wide (and it is) but we've stacked a lot of kit into it (VMS sign / alley lights / take down lights) once its mounted a little higher it shouldn't look too cumbersome. I've been assured by our coachbuilders that we won't bash our heads on it getting in and out either!

Kind Regards


Paul Robertson


Senior Coordinator