UK Operations

From floods to emergencies, our UK teams are on standby to protect lives, support communities, and respond when disaster strikes at home.

UK Operations

Serve On’s UK Operations team delivers rapid, expert support during national emergencies. With certified flood and rescue capabilities, we work alongside emergency services and local authorities to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and strengthen community resilience across the UK.

Emergency responders from Serve On walking towards a flooded area next to their vehicle.

Disasters can strike close to home, not just abroad.

Our DEFRA qualified Water and Flood Rescue team is an audited and approved national asset and can be deployed by the government. They can also be requested by councils, utility companies, police, fire & rescue, lowland rescue, and many other organisations.

The November 2024 House of Commons ‘Flood Risk and Funding’ research paper stated that “flooding and coastal erosion can have severe economic, social, and environmental effects. Flooding can result in loss of life and major effects on the health and well-being of people affected, as well as disrupt services, infrastructure, and businesses. 

In 2022-23, the Environment Agency (EA) estimated that approximately 5.7 million properties in England were at risk from flooding, an increase of around 500,000 from the previous year. Critical national infrastructure was also estimated to be at high risk: up to 51% of water supply infrastructure, 77% of rail infrastructure and 21% of electricity infrastructure is at risk of flooding.

The EA estimated the cost of the 2007 summer floods to be £3.9 billion, the winter 2013/14 floods to be £1.3 billion, and the winter 2015/16 floods to be £1.6 billion. These figures are in 2015 prices and would be almost 30% higher if expressed in present values.

In its annual flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) report, the EA calculated that as of 31 March 2024 in England: 

• 2.6 million properties were at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea, of which 196,100 were at high risk (an annual likelihood of flooding greater than 3.3%). 

• 3.2 million properties were at risk from surface water flooding, of which 344,100 were at high risk. 

• 642,000 properties were estimated to be at risk from flooding from rivers, the sea and from surface water.

On average, these risks have remained broadly consistent over the past five years.”

The full report can be found (here).
https://commonslibrary.parlia…-briefings/cbp-7514/

Support Us

Your contributions are the backbone of our mission. Donations enable us to respond faster, train more volunteers, and reach those in need, worldwide and locally.