Organised via the Bolton Council Civil Contingencies Team, the Bolton Voluntary Agencies Forum brings together those ’Voluntary Aid Societies’ who would play a part in ’Major Incidents’ and other Civil Contingency emergencies to discuss matters of mutual interest, alongside members of the Statutory Emergency Services.

Representing our team at this mornings meeting were Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE and Team Training Officer Elaine Gilliland.

Organisations present at today’s meeting at Bolton Town Hall, included the Salvation Army, RAYNET, WRVS, British Red Cross, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Police, the Samaritans, NHS Bolton, Bolton Council and of course ourselves.

Mention was made during the meeting of recent incidents and exercises, including ’Exercise Watermark’ in March this year, regarding a test of the national resilience flood plan. (See our ’news’ section for details of our participation in this)

We also mentioned our role assisting the Fire Service in the recent moorland fires, and the intensive period of operations for the team during the December 2010 snowfalls.

The Bolton MRT places great emphasis on liaison meetings such as this, with our colleague agencies, and is always grateful to be invited to attend such.