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PLEA FOR VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN GROUND-BREAKING TEAM

Community minded volunteers are urgently needed to join Felpham’s new
Emergency Resilience Group – one of the first of its kind to be formed in West Sussex.

The groups are being set up as part of a Government backed initiative and are designed to encourage people to help others in their community in an emergency. They will also provide vital support to the emergency services and local authorities.

Work has been underway for several months to launch Felpham’s Emergency Resilience Group (FERG) and a number of volunteers are already undergoing training but more are needed to really get the project off the ground.

The resilience group will be called in to help when a local emergency is declared. That could be anything from flooding to fires, power outage, health epidemics and fuel shortage, the list is endless.

Resilience volunteers will be asked to assist in numerous ways – anything from knocking on doors and identifying those who need help to warning people of
possible dangers and risks; providing transport, comfort and support at local
reception centres; clearing snow; or manning road closures.

“Local volunteers are crucial at times of emergency because they have the local knowledge which is vital to help the community,” said FERG spokesperson Gloria Moss. “They can help friends, neighbours, the elderly, infirm and vulnerable when they most need it.

“We want to hear from people who care about the community in which they live; people who enjoy helping others … people who really want to make a difference. While they are helping on the ground the emergency services can get on with their jobs.”

Volunteers will never be put in dangerous situations and full training is given with regular updates and briefings. The training is being provided by experienced personnel with support from the emergency services.

Felpham is divided into five response areas and when an emergency is declared a formal call-out procedure will be activated with team leaders in affected areas contacted first. Adjacent areas could be contacted if extra resources are required.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Felpham Parish
Council 01243 827470 or email clerk@felphampc.gov.uk

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