Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce is encouraging members to take part in a new engagement exercise run by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, which is seeking views on the current and future risks facing our communities.

The Service is carrying out a strategic review of the risks it may face in the coming years and how the wider landscape is changing, from local infrastructure through to broader societal trends. The findings will inform its next Community Risk Management Plan which will run from April 2027 to 2032.

Alongside analysing incident data and risk information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service wants to understand what residents, businesses and partner organisations see as the key risks in their local areas, and how they view the role of the fire and rescue service in Devon and Somerset.

Input is being gathered through an online survey and a series of focus groups with specific audiences. A higher number of responses will give the Service better insight into whether its future plans are aligned with the communities it serves. The survey is open until midday on Thursday the 9th of April.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will publish findings from this engagement on its website, which may also be useful for organisations carrying out their own risk planning work.

Once the draft Community Risk Management Plan has been produced, there will be a further consultation with residents, partners and stakeholders to check that the understanding captured through engagement and data mapping has been accurately reflected in the plan.