Wessex 4x4 Response on standby GAS LEAK

[BobWessex]

At 17:35 aprox this afternoon Wessex 4x4 Response received a call from Somerset CCU requesting that the team go to standby due to a major gas leak (national main) near the villages of Charlton Adam & Charlton Mackrell, "attempts are currently being made to cap the leak but evacuation may be neccesary" some 11 vehicles currently remain on standby. With the latest update received at 19.15 indicating that it will be a couple of hours at least before a final stand-down.

[BobWessex]

Stand-down received at 20:05

[BobWessex]

Received today



Dear colleagues



I wanted to thank you all for your efficiency and cooperation in the gas incident on Saturday, 23rd May, 2009. Barbara has told me that you responded immediately to our requests for stand by and were ready to support the Local Authority with resources and staff. Potentially this was a very large and demanding incident. For your information, the supply was finally capped at 1000hrs. Only a few families were evacuated and they were able to return to their homes later that night.



As you know, we had a scenario with a potential evacuation of over a thousand people and up to 3000 possible. This would have demanded considerable creativity in ensuring they were warm, safe and comfortable.



On the positive side, no one was hurt and we have learned much from the event.



My sincere thanks to you all.



regards

Nicola



Nicola Dawson

Civil Contingencies Manager

Somerset Local Authorities' Civil Contingencies Unit

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY

[Teresa Herefordshire]

Well done! Nice to get a thank you and some good PR. :D