uk operations
responding to incidents across the country
Disasters don’t just happen in other countries. The Environment Agency’s National Flood Risk Assessment determined that 1 in 6 properties in England (around 5.2 million) are at risk of flooding with an estimated annual damage of more than £1 billion. That was in 2008.
The UK HSA Health Effects of Climate Change report in 2023 projected that under ‘modest’ global warming conditions (+2°C) the number of people in the UK significantly at risk of flooding will increase by 61% by 2050. You can find the report here.
As a team on the DEFRA Flood Rescue National Asset Register we are stood by 24/7, every day of the year, to provide water rescue and community support teams anywhere in the UK in case of large scale flooding.
We can also deploy teams on request by local authorities (local councils) or to support other rescue teams and responders.
Cumbria floods 2015
In December 2015 Storm Eva hit the UK, causing over £2 billion in damage. Heavy rainfall caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding homes and damaging infrastructure. Serve On was asked to deploy water rescue and community support assets across Cumbria and North Yorkshire - including in Tadcaster, where Tadcaster Bridge collapsed causing mass disruption.
Specialist water teams crossed flooded areas to reach cut-off villages, our own drones and partner air assets were used to capture aerial imagery, and volunteers helped shore up hospitals and businesses. As the water receded, volunteers worked with the local community to help clear up the debris and begin recovery efforts.
engaging with communities
As well as responding to disasters, we work proactively to educate, inform, and empower communities to be more resilient by themselves.
We do this in a variety of ways, from attending fairs and events, to hosting open days at our headquarters. We’ve also been known to help out in the odd duck race!
We also run Basic Life Support and Water Safety workshops to give people lifesaving skills. In the past we’ve done this everywhere from universities to local village pubs.
If you would like to work with us to make your community more #ResilientTogether get in touch today.
Send us an email at: info@serveon.org.uk
or find us on social media!
