BeFloodReady, CIWEM's Community of Practice for PFR, goes live

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) has launched a website for BeFloodReady, its Community of Practice for Property Flood Resilience (PFR).

This initiative aims to improve the competency, confidence, and consistency of PFR delivery across the industry.

PFR includes a range of property-based measures to limit flood water entering and damaging a property (resistance measures) and reduce flood damage's impact should water enter a building (recoverability measures). PFR improves the process and reduces the time required for recovery and reoccupation following a flood.

By implementing effective PFR strategies, property owners can significantly improve the recovery process following a flood, minimising disruption and financial losses.

Created by CIWEM, and funded by our Partners and Supporters, the Community of Practice consolidates these initiatives to improve PFR delivery. BeFloodReady CIWEM’s Community of Practice builds upon the success of the Code of Practice for Property Flood Resilience, published in 2021 by CIRIA, and various PFR initiatives undertaken through the PFR Pathfinder Projects and the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.

Specific objectives of the website include hosting and signposting relevant PFR standards, guidance, research and resources; facilitating training, events and knowledge sharing; promoting case studies of successful PFR; and linking practitioners to accredited professional development opportunities.

“BeFloodReady, CIWEM’s Community of Practice for PFR consolidates information available on PFR. It supports and enables peer-to-peer learning for PFR professionals and provides accessible information to others interested in PFR.

With the recent flooding, we’ve increasingly seen the need for people, communities and property to become more flood-resilient. This Community of Practice will help support flood resilience. We’re grateful to our many partners and supporters in making this initiative possible” Paul Shaffer, CIWEM and Project Director for BeFloodReady.

“The BeFloodReady Community of Practice will provide a currently fragile and developing PFR industry with a platform to share good practice and improve competency. Its website, events and case studies will enable access to trusted resources and opportunities to collaborate, share and evolve good practice.” Fola Ogunyoye, TJAY Consultancy and Chair of the Project Steering Group for BeFloodReady.

Benefits of BeFloodReady CIWEM’s Community of Practice includes:

• Raising awareness of and promoting the importance of PFR, Flood Re’s Build Back Better scheme and relevant good practices amongst.
• Supporting the development of skills and behaviours required to support effective and reliable PFR in a rapidly evolving area – improving competence and confidence.
• Consolidating information on PFR – providing consistency and assurance on the quality and currency of advice, developing a single, trusted source.
• Promoting and utilising the collective knowledge and experience of PFR practitioners and communities to identify and deliver good practice.
• Supporting the delivery of PFR and Build Back Better by clients (i.e. Risk Management Authorities, insurers and property owners), consultants, contractors, manufacturers and clients.
• Providing a platform for the sharing of PFR good practice amongst those planning, procuring, delivering and managing PFR installations.
• Enabling improved communication and engagement with those undertaking and benefiting from PFR. With a view to obtaining feedback, evidence and opinion on processes, guidance and training.
• Contribute to the FCERM Strategy and the longer-term transition away from dependency on Flood Re.

To get involved and stay up-to-date, subscribe to the quarterly BeFloodReady newsletter. For more details, please visit https://befloodready.ciwem.org/ or contact paul.shaffer@ciwem.org for a media pack and to discuss collaborations.