The first public consultation by Ottery’s Emergency Plan Working Group took place at Escot Village Hall on December 2nd. The idea behind the meeting was to communicate with the community what the plan is and start the process of gathering feedback as to what problems may occur during emergencies and what the response should be.
Ottery Councillors Matt Williamson and Peter Faithfull led the meeting along with guest speaker Martin Rich from Devon Communities Together. Devon Communities Together are helping Devon towns and villages with their planning. They are also providing some of the resources to help with the plan.
The Emergency Plan is being designed to bridge the gap between the public and emergency services. This plan will enable an initial response and then assist in communication with the emergency services. The local plans are stored centrally and available to the Emergency Services so if there is an emergency, they know who to contact and what the plan is.
Cllr Williamson said “We all hope that emergencies don’t occur, but there has already been bad flooding in Tipton St John… The community and emergency services did a great job, but we could have responded better in a coordinated way if we had an updated plan to follow”.
A second meeting is planned at Alfington Church Hall on Sunday December 10th at 2.30pm to 3.30pm, with it hoped to be well attended. Further meetings are being arranged in Tipton St John and Ottery town.
The Emergency Plan team are looking for more local volunteers to come forward to help contribute to the plan and be contacts who will help carry it out should an emergency occur.
If you have any questions you can contact the Chairman of the Emergency Plan Working Group, Cllr Matt Williamson on mattwilliamson@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk or 07840 237161. Alternatively please contact the Town Clerk at the Council offices via email admin@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk or telephone 01404 812252.
