Emergency Plan Review Update March 2024
Introduction:
3 community engagement sessions with those who were directly affected by flooding from Storm Babet and 1 session with Debenham Sports & Leisure have taken place.
Freddie Gulliver from SCC Joint Emergency Planning Team attended two of the community engagement sessions. Ben Wilding and Freddie Gulliver attended the session with DS&L.
Community Sessions Notes:
1. Communication – Pre, During and Post Emergency explored the use of a siren located on the fire station to sound a “warning alarm”, setting up dedicated WhatsApp Groups by location within the village providing one point of contact for the Communications Officer for the cascade of information. The timing of the warning for flooding was discussed as was the frequency of repeat checking on folk during and after the Emergency. A cascade system both up and down was identified as being more effective/ manageable than a single number which could get bogged down with too many calls and become ineffective.
2. Identifying vulnerable people – a traffic light display card system was discussed allowing for ready identification of the status of need, the WhatsApp groups could also be used by changing the “status” to reflect level of need. Carers and Debenham Project could also be invaluable in identifying/ acting as a point of contact for vulnerable people. The use of personal alarms or an outdoor assistance alarm pull was also suggested.
3. Emergency Medical Attention – the extreme case is that the village/ an individual residence is cutoff/ unreachable/ inaccessible (as we were in Storm Babet) by emergency services. Requesting medically trained people in the village to make themselves known, Community First Responders, Emergency First Aiders, etc. to make themselves known in the first instance was discussed. Access to the Defibs cannot be guaranteed (some were inaccessible due to floodwaters) a map of all the locations and any identified additional locations to be drawn up so that the correct code for the Defib which can be reached and not the nearest, can be given in the event of need. Provide free of charge training in the use of community Defibs and First Aid – working with the First Responders and SCC Emergency Team to provide this – and encourage participation and recruitment for emergency responders.
4. Peacetime preparation – reviewing the Emergency Plan but also giving people information and advice on how they can help themselves prompted by timely missives from SCC e.g. have a grab bag ready with medicines, documents, clothing, etc. to hand in preparation for a possible situation, stock 3 days worth of food and water during winter months, etc. Produce an information booklet for every house with information and advice “what to do in the event of …”
5. Recruit volunteers – to act as points of contact during an emergency (details to be updated quarterly) and to provide assistance installing temporary flood measures for those who are less able.
There were other suggestions such as a rib dinghy to be based at the Fire Station, closing the roads in the event of a flood and questions about how we communicate if the systems are down which require further exploration and input from SCC Team. The SCC team will also liaise directly with both schools, the children’s centre and Coopersfield on their specific emergency plans which will feed into the village plan in terms of contact and assistance.
DS&L Notes:
1. DS&L is an identified rest centre for both the village and the county (they could be called into use to assist with an emergency evacuation elsewhere).
2. A dedicated plan for DS&L as a rest centre is being developed by DS&L together with input from SCC team – this will identify available resources and those that would need to be brought in, manpower in terms of staffing and volunteers, safeguarding measures, etc.
3. DS&L plan will link in to the village plan but will be developed and managed by DS&L Manager and Chair of Trustees.
Next steps:
1. Standardisation of forms - SCC to provide approved forms for use during emergency situation to allow anyone to be able to take over a situation – we may be manging it until they are able to reach us.
2. Identify village resources/ assets which could be used during an emergency – buildings, people, etc.
3. Work with SCC team on the ideas for communication, etc. to allow us to write that part of the plan and identify equipment we have/ need and the necessary lead roles to make the plan work.
4. Liaise with neighbouring parishes and their plans so that the information is available as to where one can go should one not be able to return to the village for example and to co-ordinate assistance should the emergency be location specific.
Quick note on Flood Recovery:
Many people are feeling isolated and displaced so we need to be able to continue to offer support and direction to those who request it. A suggestion by residents to “clean up the village” from signs of the flooding would help mental health and wellbeing has been made. SCC/ MSDC were contacted to request road cleaning and drain clearing in the first instance. It is possible that the community could be involved in sprucing up the village working in partnership with the contractors and the councils. How this is achieved is as yet unclear but there are a few teams within the village who are already active in projects to keep the village looking good so perhaps we have a project list and a couple of community volunteer days (with the necessary permissions and refreshments) to include businesses and developers?
The PC are also arranging a “Wellbeing Gathering” to provide a forum for people to share their experiences and information of their experiences during the restoration of their homes. Date and venue TBA (currently checking availability).
National Flood Forum:
This is a “go to” website both for those who have been directly affected by flooding and those seeking further information. It provides a Blue List that provides information on various flood defences that can be implemented. A Flood Action Team for the village would be something to consider and more information can be found on the website – this could be community led with liaison and assistance from the Parish Council. This needs the investment of time to look into.