Project examining training and preparation, equipment function and PPE function in extreme weather conditions using multiple data streams.
| Lead institution | |
|---|---|
| Principal researcher(s) |
Dr Amanda L. Farrell and Steve Jones
|
| Police region |
North West
|
| Collaboration and partnership |
Cheshire Constabulary |
| Level of research |
Professional/work based
|
| Project start date |
|
| Date due for completion |
|
Research context
Climate change has led to colder winters and increases in extreme weather. Exercise Winter Storm is one of the first steps in examining the impacts of various types of extreme weather on UK responders, to include flooding and extreme heat as future discussed trainings.
There is limited literature (and much is tangential) on these topics, with most advice currently coming from trade publications and industry blogs, many of which are tied to vendors. There is no literature on these issues specific to the UK. Yet, we know that the UK does experience extreme weather conditions, which commonly include snow, flooding, heatwaves and wildfires.
Furthermore, extreme weather leads to cascading impacts on health and service provision, with property and structural damage that impair response efforts, in addition to disruption of service deployments.
As a result, planning and preparation – to include training – for extreme weather events is essential to reduce the impacts on emergency service provision during times of disruption and high demand while also safeguarding the workforce and incorporating resilience.
Research methodology
In the northwest region of the UK, these efforts have been led by Sergeant Rob Simpson of Cheshire Constabulary, and this research was invited. Sgt Simpson has been a vital collaborator and contributor to the research team. We have already conducted pre- and post-exercise data collection related to Exercise Winter Storm 2024.
This is the first stage in a larger project, aimed at collecting a baseline of the Blue Light services and tertiary support services with regards to personal protective equipment, job-related equipment, training and experience, ability to provide service and needs with relative to cold weather environments (CWE, 0°c or below). Further projects will involve focus groups, additional multi-agency high-fidelity simulation scenarios and controlled PPE and equipment studies.
Interim reports or publications
Farrell AL, Jones S, and McCarthy B. 2024. 'Understanding the effect of extreme weather on our emergency services: An exploratory study. Report of preliminary findings from the pre- and post-exercise mixed methods data collection'. Report presented at the operational debrief for Exercise Winter Storm 2024 held by Cheshire Constabulary.
References
Adekola J, Renaud F and Hill C. 2021. 'Risk information sources for snow disaster risk preparedness in Scotland'. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 12, pp 854–866.
Cheshire Constabulary. 2024. 'Cheshire’s rural crime team puts emergency services to the test with Operation Winter Storm'. News.
Clark DG and others. 2016. 'The role of environmental factors in search and rescue incidents in Nunavut, Canada'. Public Health, 137, pp 44–49.
Curtis S and others. 2017. 'Impact of extreme weather events and climate change for health and social care systems'. Environmental Health, 16, pp 23–32.
Lazo JK and others. 2020. 'Impact-based decision support services and the socioeconomic impacts of winter storms'. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 101(5), pp E626-E639.
Levin C. 2024. 'Second act for Winter Storm as multi-agency exercise tests learning and kit in extreme cold'. Emergency Services Times: Frontline.
McGrath M. 2021. 'Climate change: Arctic warming linked to colder winters'. BBC News: Science and Environment.
Percival S, and Teeuw R. 2019. 'A methodology for urban micro-scale coastal flood vulnerability and risk assessment and mapping'. Natural Hazards, 97(1), pp 355–377.
Thornes JE and others. 2014. 'Ambulance call-outs and response times in Birmingham and the impact of extreme weather and climate change'. Emergency Medicine Journal, 31(3), pp 220–228.