An initiative to improve Ottery's emergency response to incidents such as flooding is under way.

An Emergency Plan is being drawn up, aimed at bridging the gap between the public and the emergency services. The plan document will be stored centrally and available to the emergency services, so if there is a crisis they will know who to contact. Devon Communities Together are helping with the planning and providing some of the resources.

An initial public consultation meeting took place at Escot Hall on Saturday, December 2, and the next will be held on Sunday, December 10 at Alfington Church Hall, from 2.30 until 3.30pm. Further meetings are being arranged in Ottery town centre and Tipton St John. 

These meetings are to explain the plan to local residents and get feedback on the problems that might arise during emergencies and how best to respond to them. 

The December 2 meeting was led by town councillors Matt Williamson and Peter Faithfull, with guest speaker Martin Rich from Devon Communities Together.

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.”

The Emergency Plan team are looking for more local volunteers to help contribute to the planning and be among the named contacts, should an emergency occur.

For more information contact the chair of the Emergency Plan Working Group, Cllr Matt Williamson, on mattwilliamson@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk or 07840 237161, or the town clerk at the council offices: email admin@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk or telephone 01404 812252.