Above: flooding during Storm Bert in 2024.
The Fire Brigades Union has highlighted the immense pressure on fire and rescue services as Storm Claudia brings severe flooding to parts of Wales and England, with at least one major incident declared and crews responding to escalating demand.
A major incident was declared in Monmouth in the early hours of Saturday after “severe and widespread” flooding affected the town and surrounding communities. Firefighters have carried out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks since 01:30 GMT, with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reporting 82 flood-related incidents overnight.
Across the country, FBU representatives have reported exceptionally high workloads as crews face prolonged and complex flooding incidents - all while dealing with the impact of years of cuts, reduced fire appliance availability, and limited capacity.
Since 2010, the fire service has lost 20% of its firefighters to cuts, with another real terms cut from central government imposed on the service this year.
Communities have been evacuated, homes and businesses flooded, and transport networks disrupted after some areas saw up to a month’s rainfall between Friday and Saturday. Flood warnings remain in place across Wales and England.
Despite the scale of this work, fire and rescue services continue to operate with fewer firefighters, fewer appliances, and stretched resources, leaving firefighters under increasing strain during major weather events.
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Firefighters in Wales and England have been working tirelessly and through the night to deal with severe flooding and protect communities affected by Storm Claudia. The scale of the response in Monmouth and elsewhere shows once again just how vital our service is when disasters hit.
But it is also clear that services are under huge strain. Our reps are reporting exceptionally busy workloads, made more difficult by the simple reality that there are fewer firefighters and fewer appliances available than there should be. Crews are doing everything asked of them and more, but resources are stretched to the limit.
This is a reminder of the pressures firefighters face every time severe weather strikes. Flooding incidents are increasing, demand is rising, and services are being pushed harder each year, despite having less to work with. Firefighters continue to step up for their communities, but they are doing so under increasingly difficult conditions.”
