As the flooding events experienced in parts of Denbighshire recently proved,North Walesneeds to be prepared in the event of frequent downpours when there is an increased risk of communities being affected by flooding.

As part of flooding preparedness arrangements, emergency responders are preparing to take part in a major flooding exercise on Wednesday 10^th April which will put their collaboration skills to the test.

Representatives from all three Fire and Rescue Services in Wales, North Wales Police, the RNLI, RAF Search and Rescue, Environment Agency Wales, Gwynedd Council, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, the RSPCA, Severn Area Rescue Association, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Automobile Association, and North Wales Mountain Rescue Association will take part in Exercise Berwyn by staging simulated flood rescues in challenging conditions around the Bala area in Gwynedd.

Paul Claydon, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, explains: "One in six properties inEnglandandWalesis at risk of flooding. It is only by working and practising together that we will be ready to protect people's lives, homes and livelihoods when flooding hits.

"The exercise in Bala will test our regional responses to severe flooding from rivers, the sea, reservoirs, groundwater and surface water in a range of scenarios which could occur during a flood emergency.

"Like many emergency responders, fire and rescue services are accustomed to dealing with floods which can have far reaching effects such as trapping people in their cars, threatening livestock and, at worst, threatening homes, livelihoods and even lives. The exercise in Bala is designed to put the combined skills, resources and equipment of all the emergency responders to the test and ensure that we are fully prepared for such incidents in real life.

"The exercise scenario will involve dealing with rescuing trapped casualties, carrying out fast flowing water rescues and deploying an array of flood rescue equipment and highly skilled staff in the Bala area.

"Flooding exercises such as this provide vital experience for those involved in the emergency services to test their resilience during difficult times."

Prior to the exercise itself, a community safety and awareness day was held at Bala Lesiure centre on Tuesday 19^th March to help those living in the area find out more about how emergency responders are geared up for dealing with flooding incidents.