Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Cornwall at 10/03/2008 03:00

Representatives from Cornwall County Highways, Cornwall Fire Brigade and Emergency Planning, all six District Councils, Devon and Cornwall Police, the Environment Agency and the NHS are currently on standby to deal with any problems caused by the severe weather predicted to affect the county in the early hours of Monday morning.

Over the past few days staff from all the agencies have been working closely together on plans to deal with any potential floods caused by the predicted high tides and strong winds. This has involved regular “conference calls” to monitor the developing weather situation, share information and draw up detailed action plans.

A “Silver Control” incident centre involving representatives from all the key statutory agencies was opened at Cornwall County Fire Brigade Headquarters in Truro at midnight. The incident centre is being co-ordinated by Emergency Planning staff from Cornwall County Council.

Cornwall County Fire Brigade has all its crews on standby and, in preparation for possible floods, has brought in additional equipment organised through the Fire Services National Co-ordination Centre. This includes two rescue boats – one from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade and one from Wiltshire - and a high volume pump from Warwickshire. The Brigade also has its own rescue boat which is on stand by at Falmouth Fire Station.

Cornwall Highways have staff on standby, and will mobilise CORMAC at 4am to deal with reports of flooding, tree falls etc. through the period leading up to high tide. The Customer Information centre at Scorrier (01872 222000) has been open since midnight to deal with calls from the public and pass the information onto operational staff.

All the District Councils have put their local emergency plans into action, and have opened Emergency Centres throughout the night with staff on standby to respond to specific incidents as required.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has been working closely with all partner agencies. Additional police officers are and will be working throughout the night and day to ensure it is able to maintain an effective service.

The Environment Agency has also opened its incident room at Bodmin.

People are advised to stay in touch with the latest weather forecast and warnings on the Met Office website and tune into local radio and TV. Those concerned by the risk of coastal flooding should call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area.

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PLEASE CHECK THE FIRE BRIGADE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER UPDATES – WWW.CORNWALL.GOV.UK/FIRE