From: Emma Giffard
Sent: 23 September 2021 14:27
To: Emma Giffard
Subject: Flooding – Free Training and Talks at Somerset Prepared Resilience Event 2021
Dear all,
I am writing as we have previously been in touch about flood-related matters. You might be interested in next month’s Somerset Prepared event, with free training, videos and presentations on a range of subjects designed to help communities to be better prepared for emergencies. I have attached the programme – please do circulate to anyone who might be interested.
For those who have recently experienced flooding, national expert Mary Donhau’s session on Property Flood Resilience would be of great interest. I’d like to highlight this and a few other flood-specific events in particular:
On Tuesday 5th October, 2-3pm, my colleague Dawn James and I will be presenting a session on How We Can Prepare for the Challenges Our Changing Climate May Bring. This will cover the expected impacts of climate change, and how we can adapt the places we live, our communities and our thinking to be better prepared for increased risk of flooding and drought.
On Monday 11th October, 10:30 – 11:30am, we are very lucky to welcome Mary Dhonau, national Flood resilience expert, along with the local Environment Agency for our Property Flood Resilience + Q&A, talking about the many ways we can make our properties more resilient to flooding, to help keep the water out and recover much faster if we do flood.
On Friday 15th October, 11-11:45am, the Communications team from Somerset County Council’s Highways and Transport present Flood Incidents – Spreading the Word by Social Media.
On Wednesday 20th October, 11am-12pm, Previsco, who specialise in flood warning equipment, present Early Warnings and Their Role in Supporting Community Resilience.
And to wrap up the three weeks of events, on Friday 22nd October, 10-11am, staff from a number of agencies will be on hand for Questions About Your Emergency Plan? Need Help With the Next Steps? Ask the Experts.
On Tuesday 5th October, 6-8pm, we have one of the few face-to-face events of the programme, with Langport and Huish Episcopi Community Flood Group’s Open Evening at Langport Sports & Social Club. This is a great chance to get involved with a very rewarding volunteer group doing important work in the area.
We have also teamed up with Communities Prepared to deliver three sessions on subjects often raised by communities – the following three sessions can all be booked at https://www.communitiesprepared.org.uk/online-events/
On Wednesday 6th October, 7-8.30pm, Communities Prepared have teamed up with Spark Somerset for a session on How to Recruit Volunteers.
On Wednesday 13th, 7-8.30pm, BHIB Insurance Brokers will join Communities Prepared for What You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Volunteer Insurance But Were Afraid to Ask.
On Wednesday 20th October, 7-8.30pm, Communities prepared talk all things risky with What to do with a Hippopotamus in a Flood (Risk Assessment).
There is lots more information, including how to register and access sessions, on the Somerset Prepared website at http://www.somersetprepared.org.uk/somerset-prepared-event/. Please feel free to forward this information and I hope to see you at some of the events.
Kind Regards
Emma Giffard
Community Engagement Officer
Somerset Rivers Authority
Civil Contingencies Unit
B3S, Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
Somerset, TA1 4DY
Tel: 01823 359738 / 07890 581048