“Volunteering with Birmingham Resilience over the past few months has given me the opportunity to develop new skills and work on existing ones. Attending various events, displaying material and promoting the Birmingham Community Alert has been a great experience. Learning about the various events that take place in Birmingham (which I never even knew about!) and being part of them has been a tremendous benefit. From the Art Festival, Lord Mayor’s Show, St Georges Day, Lord Mayor’s Big Blood Pressure Challenge to the Tally Ho Community Open Day, amongst various others, there is always something entertaining to keep you engaged.

Not only do I get to work alongside a very talented and enthusiastic team, but also meet and talk to a variety of interesting people including the Lord Mayor of Birmingham! Talking to members of the public has definitely helped me gain more confidence in myself and improved my communication skills.One of the key benefits for me has been doing something I am interested in. Having done degrees in natural hazards, which also involved management of disasters/emergencies, working to promote the Community Alert has helped me become involved in the front line and gain an understanding of public perception towards emergency preparedness.

It has been fascinating to witness the public’s reaction to the issue as well as use my knowledge and experience to answer their questions.Working with the Birmingham Resilience Team is an experience that has taught me a great deal and I look forward to continuing my contribution to the team.”

Saajeda Bandali

Shelterbox is an international disaster relief charity who deliver boxes of aid, each of which provides a family with quality survival equipment to use while they rebuild their homes. 

The display is in Chamberlain Square, by the Town Hall, until the end of Saturday (2nd April).

For more information go to www.shelterbox.org

Project Ripple was a completely free half day event, which was attended by over 30 delegates from across the City. Some delegates’ businesses had experienced flooding at their premises, while others hadn’t, but at the exercise they were all faced with a day that started with typical bad weather that just got worse!

As the scenario unfolded before, during and after a flood, the delegates were asked questions about their arrangements and considerations.  At each stage professional partners and emergency services provided their expert input. Contributions were made by the Environment Agency; West Midlands Fire Service; and Birmingham City Council.  The Met Office prepared their presentation but was unfortunately unable to attend but key messages about the new Met Office weather warning system were provided anyway.

The event concluded with our guest speaker, Ray Nicholls, a local businessman who shared his experiences of the Witton flooding of 2007.  Ray’s key messages included “Be Prepared” and “Be properly insured”. 

All of us at Birmingham Resilience Team were very grateful to all our speakers, but special thanks go to Ray for sharing his experience.

Although not officially involved in the response, the Birmingham Resilience Duty Officers were aware of the incident, but no action was required.

• For more information and pictures from the incident,  view this page on the ‘Digbeth is good’ blog: http://digbeth.org/2011/03/fire-this-morning-at-birminghams-largest-and-most-popular-shisha-lounge-the-moon-lounge/

The Commons Science and Technology Committee have released a report in which they claim that the volcanic ash cloud in 2010 is an example of poor risk assessment and scientists were warning of increase volcanic activity. 

MP’s are concerned that the Government’s chief scientists and their team of advisers aren’t consulted about national risk assessments, which state the impact and likelihood of potential emergencies facing the UK, and call for greater involvement.

Read the full BBC report here

Do you feel we are planning for the correct risks in the UK? Do you agree that scientists should be more involved in emergency plans?  Leave us your comments below: