Flood rescue training

New Serve On volunteers getting in some practical experience during their Module 1 and Module 2 flood rescue training

Terrible events in Spain and recent flooding in Bedfordshire - to which Serve On deployed a team - have once again highlighted the need for readiness and resilience in the face of dramatic climate change and we have been busy training more flood rescue responders.

Two evenings of classroom work at our Chilmark HQ and two days of practical lessons in the River Dart and the River Stour saw a whole new cohort of volunteers gain valuable experience which further strengthens Serve On’s status as a DEFRA National Flood Rescue Asset.

There was also time for some of our existing Water and Flood Rescue Technicians and Instructors to get some important Continual Professional Development.

For those new to water rescue, there was some great learning as they completed Module 1 (Water and Flood Awareness) and Module 2 (Water and Flood First Responder) training in line with the Government’s Flood Rescue Concept of Operations.

Big thanks to our instructors for a weekend that was as enjoyable as it was informative, and thanks too to River Dart Country Park for the use of the river at Newbridge and to Bournemouth Water for use of the River Stour at Longham.

After a full-on weekend’s training, followed by the necessary task of washing all of the water rescue kit, the Contact Coffee and Joe and Seph’s gourmet popcorn went down even better than usual.