Make friends before you need them

The importance of partnership working was the focus of the second annual LRF Preparedness Day at County Hall in March.

This year, we welcomed nearly 100 delegates from a range of Category 1 and 2 responder organisations, central government departments, universities, voluntary agencies and community groups.

The event aimed to raise awareness of a whole-of-society approach to resilience; bringing together multi agency partners and providing a learning and networking opportunity to support and develop roles and responsibilities.

A packed agenda included guest speakers from the LRF, emergency services, telecoms and government, an interactive session where delegates were invited to complete tasks, an insightful range of presentations from Lancashire resilience leaders and the voluntary sector, and exhibitions highlighting projects and initiatives that demonstrate the power of partnership.

Lancashire County Council provided an overview of our ArcGIS Hub, explaining how GIS Mapping – the transformation of geographical data into digital maps – can support our response to emergencies.

Meanwhile seven organisations talked about their individual roles in the planning and response to a National Power Outage (NPO) incident, inviting questions from delegates in the room and online via Slido.

Lancashire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Richard Robertshaw closed the event, thanking all who helped make it such a success.

Feedback afterwards gave special mention to the speakers' knowledge and the value LRF partners bring to the table, both in times of peace and during a major incident.

All in all, LRF Preparedness Day 2025 was the perfect example of the excellent planning and response that can be achieved by making friends before you need them!