A NEW training facility to help the East Yorkshire community cope with flooding in the future is to be built.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled plans for a new flood preparation and response centre known as the 'Ark Project'.
It will be the first facility in the UK to recreate domestic flooding scenarios to help emergency services deal with communities affected by flooding.
The fire service has £1.5m funding which will enable the centre to train its own personnel but it is seeking a further £1.5m from the Department for Local Government and Communities so it can help train members of the public on prevention and recovery as well.
Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders said: "This new training centre will create a realistic environment for crews to train in water rescue scenarios.
"Not only will the new centre provide us with an excellent training venue, if we get the extra funding, it will enable us to help our communities by educating them about protecting their homes from flooding.
"It means we can also assist residents to be better prepared by simulating what happens when flooding occurs."
The idea began during the devastating floods in East Yorkshire in 2007.
The training centre was originally intended to be housed at Peaks Lane Fire Station in Grimsby but that may change.
It will consist of a mock street with a water tank large enough to submerse a vehicle and other hazards and will be able to imitate rapids for fast moving water scenarios.
Other fire and rescues services across the country will have the opportunity to train at the centre, which is expected to be built by summer 2015.
The new facility will also be used to help partner organisations prepare for the potential flood risks.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has attended an increasing number of flood emergencies ranging from 130 call outs in 2005 to a peak of 933 in 2007.
In the past decade, the service have carried out more than 500 rescues from water and mud.
The December tidal surge was the highest ever recorded tide level in the Humber estuary and led to around 1,100 properties and hundreds of businesses flooding in the area.
Yesterday, representatives from other fire services, the Environment Agency, Hull City and East Riding councils and central government were invited to the fire service headquarters in west Hull to view the plans.
The service's head of safety Daryl Oprey said: "We want to train members of the community so they will know how to prepare and cope.
"At times we may be stretched and have to priorities hospitals and sub stations which means we may not get to every domestic property affected.
"This centre will help people help themselves."
