Out of sight ….. out of mind? – What role should public dialogue have played in anticipating major disasters such as this summer’s deluge?

Our thoughts this week are undoubtedly with tens of thousands of residents in Gloucestershire and elsewhere, who, as this topic is being written are flooded out, without drinking water, and maybe without electricity. A month ago it was Hull and Sheffield; a few years ago it was York and Carlisle.

So how much discussion has there been in these communities about the nature of the risk they face, and how local public bodies should respond? Of course, it is understood that the Environment Agency leads on the issue, but there are a large number of Fire & Rescue Authorities who have a critical role when the worst happens. Under a 2003 Fire Service circular, they also have a duty to prepare an Integrated Risk Management Plan and this is normally subject to consultation.

So is there evidence that towns and villages have genuinely engaged on this issue? Have they been consulted on the priorities when flooding happens? Has there been dialogue on who does what? What will householders or business owners do for themselves …and what has to be left for emergency services? Sadly, such evidence is not always convincing, but now is hardly the time for nit-picking.