Tamworth Prepared

Tamworth Prepared

In Tamworth approximately 3,200 addresses have been assessed as at flood risk by the Environment Agency, but currently the number of properties that are fully signed up to the Flood Warning Service is very low.

The Civil Contingencies Unit are delivering an awareness campaign in Tamworth to ensure that residents are both aware and prepared for the event of a flood. The work completed in Tamworth to help deliver this message and build community resilience in both Tamworth and Fazeley is detailed below.

Tamworth Be Prepared Leaflet

A leaflet has been designed containing a range of information to inform residents in Burton how to prepare and be more resilient against flooding.

Tamworth Market Square

A public facing event in Tamworth Market square was held to distribute the key information about how to be prepared to the residents of Tamworth and Fazeley. 
Many residents were informed about how to be aware if they were at risk of flooding and the importance of preparing for this to reduced possible impacts.

Flood resilience in Safe and Sound workshops for 2019

The Safe and Sound workshops are coordinated by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and provide a multi-agency approach to educate primary school aged children about the dangers of water and how to stay safe and well.

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Flood awareness resilience sessions at Rawlett High School and Laundea Forte Academy, Amington

Staff from CCU and the Environment Agency worked together at both schools to deliver a 1 hour flood resilience session to 360 year 7 students over 3 days.

By helping young people become aware of the risk of flooding and the devastating effect it can have on a community we are enabling them to be able to prepare themselves and their family should flooding happen.

The materials being used include the Flood Snakes and Ladders Game, developed by Lancaster University working with young people who have been flooded, giving them a voice to share their experiences and help others - as part of the CUIDAR European Project. This game uses research material gathered with children and young people who were directly affected by flooding in England. The Interactive Snakes and Ladders game uses words, pictures and models from the young people.

All students really enjoyed the session and were able to explain how they would feel if they were involved in a flood, why flooding can be so dangerous and a number of ways that communities can prepare for the event of a flood. They all completed a questionnaire at the beginning and end of the session to show what they had learnt; here are some of the results:

  • Before the session 30% of pupils were able to check if they live in an area at risk from flooding; at the end of the session this had risen to 96% of pupils
  • Before the session 19% of pupils were aware of what a grab bag is; after the session this had risen to 88%
  • 88% of pupils are now able to name 3 ways to be prepared before a flood event
  • Before the sessions 44% thought that flood water could not make you sick; after the session 89% of pupils could explain why flood water can make you sick
  • Before the session 20% of pupils knew what a  flood /emergency plan is; by the end of the session 87% of pupils said that they could actually produce a flood/emergency plan

Letters

A letter drop to the most at risk addresses (in EA flood warning areas) is planned In Tamworth and Fazeley to give these residents and businesses key information about how to check their risk, sign up for flood alerts/warnings, useful contacts and advice for before, during and after a flood event. 

The Duke of Cornwall Award

A launch event for uniformed service groups to attend to start delivering The Duke of Cornwall Award to their Burton members is being planned for August 2018 and the Fire Cadets in Tamworth and Rugeley are helping to deliver this session as they have already completed the Duke of Cornwall Award.

The activities above can be used in other areas of Staffordshire to improve community flood resilience. If you would like further information on how to action this in your community, please contact us.