Floodfighters: 2008

Small to Medium size Enterprises, together with first responder and emergency response stakeholder organisations, must all work together to deal with the effects of critical incidents and extreme weather events such as floods. This year's main flooding conference - FloodFighters :: 2008 - will continue its mission of developing business and organisational resilience to extreme weather events, as well as providing leading edge tactical workshops for first responders and their managers.

Hosted by Gloucestershire University, which lies at the heart of one of the areas most severely affected by the 2007 floods, and which plays a key role in the local and regional economy, FloodFighters :: 2008 will be building on its effective formula of high level conference and high level practical workshops, with defined learning outcomes. This event incorporates a fascinating case study site visit, which will give delegates a true understanding of the risks that are faced, and the solutions being developed.

This visit to a water treatment works will show the renewal measures and the installations of additional flood defences at a vital regional treatment site. Semi-permanent defences are in place while the operators study feasibility and work on the outline design stage; it is expected that it will take two to three years for permanent defences to be constructed. This visit will provide delegates an excellent opportunity to view the difficult realities faced when major floods strike.

A key feature of the programme is that of knowledge transfer to enhance the crisis management, business continuity management and recovery capability of participating organisations. To make sure this event is as effective as possible, it is organised to give all attendees a unique, entertaining, participative and challenging experience.