In 2025, we had the chance to gather together practitioners, academics, and industry experts to share our experiences, ponder our future, and provide some fantastic CPD-approved training - thanks to CPDme! 

Dr Amanda Farrell and Steve Jones welcomed over 200 enthusiastic attendees, with the event taking place at Liverpool John Moores University. 

This conference marked the culmination of three years of hard work focused on our response to extreme weather situations. We were very pleased to have Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams attend on behalf of the NPCC.

The programme included inspiring guest speakers and interactive breakout sessions right on LJMU’s campus. It was free to attend and featured a touching keynote address by Colonel Joaquin Castro Leon of the Guardia Civil. He shared the remarkable story of how Spain responded to the tragic Valencia floods, paying tribute to the emergency workers who bravely supported their communities, even while facing their own personal losses. Their dedication and leadership were incredibly inspiring to us all. 

We had several breakout sessions covering important topics, like Local Resilience and Prehospital care, all led by experts in their fields. After a lovely free lunch, attendees participated in two engaging tabletop exercises:

 ‘Commanders on Ice’ led by PC John Teasdale

 ‘Flooding on the Frontline’ led by PC Rob Stordy

Dr Alan Goodman from the Met Office wrapped up the day with a compelling presentation on the changing climate in the UK. He truly highlighted the importance of our efforts, which are crucial on a national scale. 

We had a couple of fire alarms that day, leading to what we jokingly assume is an unofficial world record for the fastest multi-agency international response to such an alarm! 

Among the many responders were Water Rescue teams, Mountain Rescue, Lowland Rescue, Fire, Ambulance, Police, and the Red Cross, along with officers from the French Gendarmerie and the Guardia Civil of Spain. 

A Chief Inspector from North Wales Police, happily remarked, “It's no exaggeration when I say it was the best conference I've attended” 

A huge thank you must go to all the unsung heroes who made this conference and exercises possible.