July/August 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our July/August 2025 update. Inside you will find our partner news, information about our latest events and more. The headline diary date for this newsletter is our Resilience Roadshow in West Coker. Come along with any resilience questions you may have - or to chat about your emergency plan with experts. We also have some places remaining on the Flood Warden workshop so do please book in for this fun and informative session if you are interested in learning about the role. 

If you have any queries about this or any of the other features in our newsletter, please get in touch at somersetprepared@somerset.gov.uk. We would also welcome submissions or suggestions for future topics.

 Best wishes, 

Somerset Emergency Planning, Response and Recovery team

& Somerset Prepared Partners

Summer on Quantock Common

Resilience Roadshow at West Coker 

This summer we have one more Resilience Roadshow coming up soon - your chance to talk face-to-face about resilience with representatives from the Environment Agency, Somerset Council, Somerset Rivers Authority, Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Emergency Volunteer Action Group, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group SW, and Avon and Somerset Police. Alongside the drop-in session there is also a Flood Warden workshop. This is free but if you can book in advance it helps us make sure to have enough cake! Book here: https://forms.office.com/e/GK4SDPPAp2. See the poster below for more information on the event. 

Partner Update from the Environment Agency

The Environment Agency’s local Wessex Flood Resilience team offers support to communities, businesses and residents at risk of flooding. This includes providing advice and guidance for flood wardens and community volunteers, and help with emergency planning. They send out a quarterly newsletter full of news, events and advice, and regularly host online sessions on a variety of flood-related topics. The next of these online sessions will be about Property Flood Resilience on 19 June, and they will also be holding a drop-in for flood wardens at the Bridgwater office on 5th June as part of National Volunteers Week. For more information or to reserve a spot at any of these events, contact the Flood Resilience team at floodwessex@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Partner Update from EVAG

Flash floods need only be 1 foot or so in height to devastate the ground floor of households. Many families have seen the effect of a flood which lasts only 30 minutes yet renders the home uninhabitable for a long period.

EVAG, a registered charity, has volunteers who have now surveyed and delivered household flood resilience kits to over 70 households.

The kits consist of several items drawn from a list of over 12 types of kit - enabling us to deliver the right kit for the job.

The kit is compact in size to enable easy household storage - and it inflates in contact with water.

(So when you store it, keep it dry!).

Working in partnership with Somerset Prepared, we welcome contact with parish councils and flood resilience groups to work with you in your locality - finding flood-threatened households and delivering kit. 

We don't guarantee we can do a 'King Canute' but many households have found that our kit can have a real effect.

Contact - Somerset Prepared or- david303welch@btinternet.com

Partner Update from Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service

Get Summer Ready with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

 As the warmer months approach, we are encouraging everyone to “Get Summer Ready” by helping residents and visitors have a safe and enjoyable summer across our beautiful counties. With longer days, rising temperatures, and more time spent outdoors, it’s essential to stay safe around water, in the countryside, and while travelling.

 This year we are focusing on three key areas: water safety, wildfire prevention, and vehicle safety. Whether you're heading to the beach, exploring the moors, or taking a road trip, a few simple precautions can help keep you, your loved ones, and our communities safe.

 Water Safety – Respect the Water

 Across our two counties we are lucky to have stunning coastlines, rivers and lakes, but these don’t come without serious risks. Cold water shock, strong currents, and hidden hazards can quickly turn a fun day out into a dangerous situation.

 Here are our top water safety tips:

 Look for lifeguards: avoid swimming in unsupervised places.

• Float to live: if you get into trouble in the water, fight the urge to swim and instead float on your back to regain control of your breathing.

• Always supervise children near water: Children should always be supervised near water, it can take seconds for a situation to turn dangerous.

• Know your location: make sure you know exactly where you are, should you need to call 999. Apps such as What3Words are recommended to narrow down your location and share with emergency services.

• Hidden hazards: The water may look calm on the surface however currents, debris and plants under the water can result in entrapment and make it impossible to swim.

• Cold water shock: Cold water shock can occur in water temperatures lower than 15 degrees. The average temperature of the UK water is 12 degrees, which makes cold water shock a very real risk. If you are swimming, make sure you enter the water slowly and gradually.

• Plan your route home: Avoid waterways if you have been drinking or using substances, and plan a route home away from water.

 Wildfire Warriors – Protect Our Countryside

 Across Devon and Somerset, we have an abundance of beautiful moorland, forests, woodlands and countryside. During hot weather these area’s can easily catch fire, causing devastation to the natural habitats. Therefore, to protect our countryside we are asking people to be “Wildfire Warriors” by following our outdoor fire safety tips:

•  Avoid using disposable barbecues or open flames: avoid disposable barbecues or open flames in the countryside, especially during prolonged dry spells – opt for a picnic lunch instead.

• Always take glass bottles or litter away with you: these can start fires by magnifying the sun’s rays.

• Discard of cigarettes carefully: avoid throwing cigarettes on the ground, and ensure they are fully extinguished before putting them in a suitable container.

• Avoid having bonfires in very dry weather: bonfires can quickly become out of control in the dry weather.

• Talk to your children: talk to your children about the dangers of playing with lighters or matches. Ensure that any lighters or matches are kept out of reach.

If you see a wildfire or smoke in the countryside, call 999 immediately and move to a safe location.

 Vehicle Safety – Stay Safe on the Road

 Summer often means more cars on the road – whether for holidays, day trips or just enjoying the sunshine. Before setting off, take a few minutes to make sure your vehicle is safe and ready.

•  Check your car: check your tyres, oil, and coolant before any long journey.

• Do not leave pets or children in a parked car: even with windows cracked open, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and become fatal.

• Prepare for delays: make sure you pack plenty of water and sun protection in case of delays or breakdowns.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions: many summer crashes happen on unfamiliar rural roads.

 This summer, we’re asking everyone to do their part to stay safe. By following these simple tips, you’ll help protect yourself, your family and our communities.

 For more advice and updates, follow us on social media or visit our website: www.dsfire.gov.uk

Have a safe and happy summer from all of us at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Partner Update from Somerset Rivers Authority

We are looking at forming a Flood Group Network (or networks) and would love your views. Please email Bel.deering@somerset.gov.uk if you are interested in joining a network or would like to share your thoughts on what it should offer to communities across the county. 

Update from Somerset Wildlife Trust

Somerset communities lead the way in climate adaptation with Somerset Wildlife Trust's Act to Adapt process

The Somerset Wildlife Trust Act to Adapt process helps communities across Somerset adapt to climate change. Working with residents, community groups and councillors, the process creates comprehensive plans that address specific local needs.

The team recently completed a plan for Wells, which was welcomed at an initial launch on 17th June. A full public launch will take place during Wells Eco Week from 11th to 20th October.

Residents and councillors in Frome have also embraced the process, beginning with a workshop where 130 local people shared their thoughts on climate issues affecting their town. An in-person consultation will be held on 19th July at Frome Carnival, giving residents the chance to provide feedback on the draft plan. Those unable to attend can access the Frome Act to Adapt details, including the draft report and online consultation, here.

Following all the community input, the Somerset Wildlife Trust team will produce a final plan for Frome that highlights local concerns and provides practical solutions to address them. By drawing on local knowledge and engaging communities directly, the act to adapt process creates meaningful change on local climate issues.

At the Launch of Wells Climate Adaptation Plan

Finally - take three actions to help

This spring here are three things you can do to make a difference for your community:

• Add this date to your diary: 15th October 2025. This is the date of our next Resilience Day at Taunton Racecourse Conference Centre.

• Share an article from this newsletter with one (or more!) of your contacts

• Talk to your community about creating a Climate Adaptation Plan

Featured images 

Here at somerset prepared we like to feature somerset in all its glory! Do you have an image of Somerset you would like to share? Send your images to somersetprepared@somerset.gov.uk for a chance to be featured!