Community Flood Volunteers

The community flood warden role

Community flood volunteers are trained to help and prepare people in local communities that are at risk of flooding. They play an important role in the preparing a community resilience / flood plan and putting it in to practice.

They also provide a vital link between a local community and those responsible for responding to a flood.

Helping the community before, during and after a flood

…before

Identify problem areas within your community
Identify vulnerable people and properties
Help to develop your community resilience/ flood plan
Monitor watercourses within the community
Encourage sign up to free Flood Warnings
Report any issues around flood risk in your community and report them to the appropriate organisations.

…during

Communicate the risk of flooding within the community
Act as the eyes and ears of the community helping to report any issues to the appropriate orgaisations
Help co-ordinate the community resilience/ flood plan
Heed emergency services advice at all times
Share information from the Environment Agency and emergency services with residents
Encourage residents to take action
Collect flood event information.

…after

Assist in the post-flood clear up if required
Continue to act as a communication channel
Collect post-flood data and photos
Assist in the review of the community flood plan.

"Some people gain huge rewards in helping others and becoming a flood volunteer can be a really good way to give back to your community."

How do I become a community flood volunteer?

Step 1:

To get started reach out to your Parish or Town Council and find out if they have Community Flood Volunteers in your community or if they would like to.
If you live in an area without a Parish or Town Council please email floodresilienceKSLES@environment-agency.gov.uk

or krf@kent.fire-uk.org

Step 2:

Register on the Communities Prepared website to begin free your online training.
Communities Prepared – A Groundwork South Project

Step 3:

Complete the following modules on the Communities Prepared website.

What happens during an emergency?
What can a volunteer do to help?
Flood volunteer.

The Flood Volunteer training covers:

Role of a flood volunteer
Types of flooding
Flood and weather warnings
Flood safety awareness

They are available any time. Free online webinar training sessions are also available for the modules.

Step 4:

Download the Flood Volunteer 1 and 2 handbooks from the Communities Prepared website. You can also download any other handbooks you think might be helpful.

There are other modules available covering other emergencies and downloadable handbooks for all the topics.

Step 5:

When you have completed your online training please let your Parish or Town Council know so they can add you to their list of community volunteers and/or community resilience/ flood plan. Join the Kent and Medway Community Flood Volunteer mailing list by contacting floodresilienceKSLES@environment-agency.gov.uk directly or by asking your Parish or Town Council to contact the Environment Agency on your behalf.

What if my community are not able to support Community Flood Volunteers?

If your Parish/Town or local council are not able to support Community Flood Volunteers you are still able to help support your community by knowing what to look out for, who to report it to and encouraging your neighbours to sign up or Flood Warnings. Contact floodresilienceKSLES@environment-agency.gov.uk for more information.

Connecting with other community flood volunteers

You can choose to meet with other flood wardens in your community as often as you like, typically twice a year.

These meetings could be used for:

Updating your community resilience/ flood plan
Checking contact details
Talking about ways to recruit community flood wardens
Maintaining interest for existing community flood wardens.

How do I update my details?

To update your contact details, or if you no longer wish to be a flood volunteer please email the Environment Agency Flood Resilience Team at floodresilienceKSLES@environment-agency.gov.uk.