Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 29/06/2006 10:00

Restormel Borough Council hosted a major multi-agency flood exercise at its St Austell headquarters on Thursday 29 June 2006.

Exercise Treffry saw representatives from a wide range of organisations, including the emergency services, the two local authorities and the Environment Agency, having to respond to a simulated flood in the Par and St Blazey area.

The purpose of the exercise, led by Cornwall County Council’s Emergency Planning unit, was to test the effectiveness of the revised Cornwall Multi-Agency Flood Warning and Response Plan, which the partner agencies have developed over the last few months.
The event started with a flood awareness session for key personnel from the partner agencies and County, District and Parish councillors. This featured a series of presentations focusing on the flood plan, local flood risk, flood warning and flood defences.

Delegates also heard a presentation from David Brown, who, in his former role as Chief Executive of North Cornwall District Council, played a leading role in the response to the Boscastle flood of August 2004.

The exercise took the form of a “Silver” command conference. This was chaired by Acting Chief Insp Ivan Trethewey. The team was presented with a series of challenging scenarios, including evacuating residents and setting up rest centres.

Assistant Divisional Officer Chris Rickett said: “Apart from testing the plan it enabled the participants to develop strong invaluable working relationships that would stand us in good stead should a real incident of this nature occur.”
Shirley Polmounter (Restormel Cabinet Member for Community Affairs & Services) said: “Restormel has been delighted to host this exercise. The Council and its partners work together to prepare for emergencies, to protect residents, homes and businesses. The event has demonstrated the immense amount of work that has been and is being done to protect and assist our community.”