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Published:
July 15, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea
rescue group joins Somerset emergency network
Burnham-On-Sea
rescue charity BARB has this week been named as one of the sixteen
local groups to join a county-wide network of emergency services
that will help deal with major incidents - such as severe flooding
- in the future.
BARB,
the Burnham Area Rescue Boat, operates two rescue hovercrafts
and an inshore rescue boat and is among a variety of organisations
to sign up to the Somerset Emergency Voluntary Agencies Group.
The
network comprises key voluntary organisations that are likely
to be involved in helping deal with the aftermath of major crises
across Somerset.
 Run
by the Somerset Local Authorities' Partnership, it co-ordinates
emergency planning for all local authorities in the region, including
Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Sedgemoor,
Mendip and West Somerset.
The
aim of the Voluntary Agencies Group is to provide specialist voluntary
agency advice and give a platform for emergency planning.
Somerset
County Councillor Henry Hobhouse said: "We are pleased to
have BARB among the members of this new organisation. The Somerset
Emergency Voluntary Agencies Group will play an important role
in helping us deal with major crises in Somerset, such as flooding,
in the future."
BARB
Chairman Mark Newman said the charity was pleased to join, adding:
"While we all hope major emergencies never happen, it is
very sensible to be fully prepared. Volunteer groups working together
like this can make a huge difference during difficult times."
Among
the other member organisations within the network are the Somerset
Local Authorities' Civil Contingencies Unit, the British Red Cross,
South West England Rescue Association, Skywatch, Somerset 4 x
4 Response and 11 other groups.
Pictured
are (top) members of the sixteen groups at the official launch
of the Somerset Emergency Voluntary Agencies Group in Taunton
this week; and (beneath) BARB secretary Roger Flower signing the
agreement alongside County Councillor Henry Hobhouse.
Burnham-On-Sea
Hovercraft Web site
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