The Fire Brigades Union has called for the government to take action to prepare fire and rescue services for flood response following widespread flooding across the country and the declaration of a major incident in Leicestershire.
Firefighters have been called out to 160 flood related incidents in Leicestershire since floods spread yesterday, with the service reporting having received more than 200 calls on Monday morning alone.
Firefighters rescued 59 members of the public across Leicestershire on Monday. The FBU has described this number of rescues as “extraordinary”, and a “wake-up call”.
Unlike the rest of the UK, fire and rescue services in England do not have a statutory duty to respond to flooding, meaning that central government does not provide secure funding for national flood resilience and response.
The FBU wrote to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper this November, calling for the UK to be made resilient to flooding with a statutory duty and investment.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigade Union general secretary said:
Firefighters continue to work tirelessly to save lives and protect communities from devastating flooding. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
Leicestershire firefighters performed an extraordinary feat by rescuing 59 people in one day. This major incident must be a wake-up call for the government.
With fire and rescue services severely overstretched after years of cuts, it is high time that the vital role firefighters play in flood response is formally recognised and fully funded.
To ensure we are prepared for future floods, ministers must act now to implement a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England with the funding and resources urgently needed.”
