by Angela Cole

acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

A decade after the devastating floods engulfed many homes and businesses, firefighters and the Environment Agency are joining forces to ensure people are better prepared if the county is hit again.

A few weeks ago, the Kent Messenger brought you a special supplement on the floods of 2000 where Maidstone and many surrounding villages were badly hit by floodwater.

Now the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and the Environment Agency have launched a partnership promoting how the emergency services and people living in areas at risk can cope in the event of a similar situation.

Around 750 premises across the county were affected when the flood levels in some areas were the highest on record. The KFRS and the Environment Agency have set up a three year partnership to work more closely together to tackle severe weather.

KFRS assistant director for operations, Sean Bone-Knell, said: "With more torrential rain and floods hitting parts of Britain, phrases like ‘severe weather warning’ and ‘flood watch alert’ are becoming all too familiar.

"The likelihood of flooding is increasing and those who have already been affected by this know it causes months of worry and thousands of pounds worth of damage.

"We welcome this new partnership as both services are committed to ensuring the best levels of safety in Kent and so it makes sense for us to pool our resources together to get the message across: "We’re prepared, are you?"

With training and support from the agency, KFRS will give home and business owners crucial advice on how to check whether they are at risk and what they can do to help protect themselves and their property.

Community safety officers will be targeting people in the most vulnerable areas for advice and visiting schools to teach young people about the threat of flooding, alongside issues such as arson and road safety.

Businesses will also be given flood advice leaflets on everything from subscribing to flood warnings to investing in flood protection devices.

Tim Connell, Environment Agency area incident manager, said: "Flooding can affect everyone and we all have a part to play in being prepared. Knowing your risks and planning ahead can help to reduce the damage that flooding can cause."

KFRS has invested in improved water rescue equipment and training so firefighters are equipped to cope with everything from rescuing drivers stranded in their cars to getting someone with disabilities out of a flooded house.

Mr Bone-Knell added: "You may never have experienced a flood and may be living miles away from a floodplain, but extreme weather can strike anywhere and with very short notice."

Flood-related 999 calls are dealt with on an individual basis, prioritised on the caller’s circumstances and how vulnerable they are.