Free online training event to help communities prepare for winter weather

As winter approaches, Wiltshire Council and partners are hosting a free online event for town and parish councils and community groups to find out more about preventing and dealing with flooding in their communities.

The Wiltshire Prepared event, on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October, offers a series of free, interactive online training sessions that encourage community resilience and offer practical advice on what to do if a flooding or snow emergency hits. Training sessions will be led by a range of organisations including Wiltshire Council, the Environment Agency, Communities Prepared, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum, Wessex Water, the Met Office and voluntary agencies. Participants can sign up for one or more free sessions, choosing from a schedule of online training events during the two days, and they can also access pre-recorded sessions and resources.

The events are open to all flood wardens, community emergency volunteers and town and parish councils in Wiltshire.

Sign up for the training (opens new window)

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Flooding, said: Unfortunately, the risk of flooding is something that many of our communities have to face each winter, but we can do things to mitigate against it, and that's where this free training comes in.

We already have a fantastic network of flood wardens throughout Wiltshire, and this is a chance for them to brush up on their knowledge - and for new wardens to come forward through their town or parish council.

I'd urge all town and parishes at risk of flooding to attend these events to find out more from a range of experts what they can do to help keep their communities safe.

Dr Rachel Burden, Wessex Flood and Coast Risk Manager, Environment Agency, said: These sessions are a great opportunity for existing and new community volunteers to increase their skills and knowledge about how to prepare for and respond to emergency events. They are also ideal for anyone who is interested in volunteering, whether it be as a flood warden or Community Emergency Volunteer.

This year the event is supported by more emergency responders than ever before, sharing their knowledge and guidance to help you and your community be better prepared and more resilient when it is needed most.