About 20 volunteers gave up their time on Saturday to help the Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership (KCERP) drill their procedures in case of a flood.
This was the first live exercise since 2019, and after an incredibly wet summer, it was time to put the emergency plan to the test.
Participants met at Crosthwaite Parish Room, where they enjoyed delicious refreshments supplied by Chinty’s.
Claire Peat, the programme manager, briefed them as to what to expect from the day, and then the well-practised control room volunteers dashed off to set up in the council chamber of the Town Hall.
As many of the corps of trained volunteers were unavailable to take part, friends, family and good Samaritans were roped in to make up the numbers. Ulverston’s group lead also came to observe and share learnings. Volunteers were kitted out in branded hi-vis gear. Thanks to grant funding from Cumbria Community Foundation, the group has also been able to buy head torches and walking poles, with local shops Alpkit and Keswick Mini Market offering generous charitable discounts.
Volunteers were then assigned tasks, such as checking the sandbag stores around town, assisting with erecting flood defences, and checking the lists of homes within the flood zones. Lynne Jones, Chair of the Keswick Flood Action Group, joined the control room to share her knowledge of where the water tends to rise first, how she communicates with the Environment Agency during a storm, and to talk through the various new defences the town has, such as the pumping station behind the three bears mural at the bus stop on Penrith Road and how that will affect water flows compared to previous flooding events.
Once volunteers had completed their tasks, they were called in using the new radios, and a short debrief with delicious baked goods was held back at the Parish Room.
Claire said: “I am so grateful to the team of people who give up their time, particularly on a beautiful sunny Saturday, to help us prepare for a flooding emergency. The town council provides funding and accommodation for the programme, with many of the councillors signed up as volunteers. We’re lucky to have organisations such as Keswick Lions, who we partner closely with, to join us in helping to keep the community safe and informed if the water proves more than the flood defences can hold back. I’ve received some valuable feedback from the day, and will be revising the town’s emergency plan so that we can be ready for whatever this winter throws at us.”
If anyone wants to know more about volunteering, please contact Claire at [email protected], or 07841 678767
