WRVS volunteers involved in evacuation of 100 people in Bristol

WRVS volunteer emergency services co-ordinator Ruth Weaver was contacted at 6:30pm on Thursday 17 April by the emergency planning office of Bristol City Council requesting a team of emergency services volunteers to prepare to respond to an unspecified incident that might need an evacuation of up to 100 people. In all five volunteers were prepared to go out should a further call come.

The call eventually came in at midnight and within 10 minutes, two local volunteers were assisting at a rest centre in Southmeads, a suburb of Bristol, providing general welfare tasks for around 30 local residents who had been evacuated from their homes.

Although WRVS services were no longer required, the incident continued for the rest of the weekend with three controlled explosions following the arrest of after a man was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

WRVS gives professional support to the police, fire service and other blue-light services as well as the general public in emergency situations, such as floods, fires, rail disasters, power failures and evacuations. They have nearly 7,000 volunteers, all fully trained, equipped and insured, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All local authorities must have plans in place in case of accidents or natural disasters, WRVS are currently written into 98 per cent of all local authority emergency plans.

Call WRVS to find out more about how volunteers can help your community by becoming an 'on call' WRVS emergency services volunteer. Call 0845 601 4670 (all calls charged at local rate) or register to volunteer online.

About WRVS

WRVS (http://www.wrvs.org.uk) volunteers and employees work together to support people in need who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated, whether at home, in hospital, or in times of crisis. For further information, please call 01235 442949.

For further information, please contact:

Lidia Drane

Web co-ordinator

Tel 01235 442949

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