Cardiff & District RAYNET assists Cardiff Council Emergency Management unit
Cardiff & District RAYNET, a group of Radio operators who provide volunteers and specialist communications equipment for incidents, emergencies and community fundraising events across Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Council areas, were tasked by Cardiff Council Emergency Management unit to provide operators and equipment to assist with Storm Eunice.
The complex situation that presented itself on Friday 18th February following a RED Warning from the Met Office, gave considerable risk to the potential of flooding from a high tide coinciding with the arrival of the storm due at 7am that day.
Cardiff & District RAYNET set up radio communications in shared space with the British Red Cross at a rest centre in the city to prepare for any possible intake to the centre should flooding occur.
Thankfully, although damage occurred across the region, the storm arrived several hours after the expected arrival time, which allowed high tide to come and go before Eunice lashed out minimising the expected threat.
Not to waste the efforts of the teams involved, the centre became a refuge for members of the cities care teams whom sought shelter between visiting clients during the height of the storm.
Once the request had come to assist the cities care team members other centres were made available to them to seek refuge as the storm passed.
Gavin Macho, Principal Officer from the emergency management unit said " I was delighted with the timely and expert support we received from the Cardiff and Vale RAYNET Group. From pre briefing, through call out, attendance at control and co-ordination and rest centres their support with communications was an essential part of our response. They helped with the timely movement of people and materials and made a real difference. "
Cardiff & District RAYNET are consistently looking for new volunteer members to assist with Radio Communications or other skills related to many forms of communications, networking, IT, message writing skills or even just making that perfect cup of tea. Look us up at www.cad-raynet.wales or e-mail us at info@cad-raynet.wales for more information on how you can be involved.