Ellie Ames 23 August 2024

Fire chiefs call for legal duty on extreme weather response

Fire chiefs call for legal duty on extreme weather response image
Image: JordanCrosby / Shutterstock.com

The UK’s fire and rescue services have called for statutory duties to respond to extreme weather events in England.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said a legal duty would help fire and rescue services provide a ‘coordinated and effective’ response to increasing risks amid the climate emergency.

But it warned that any changes in statutory obligations must be underpinned by sustained funding.

Fire and rescue services in England currently have no statutory duties in relation to inland water rescue – an increasing issue as more people enter the water in hot weather – or in relation to flooding.

The NFCC said this was resulting in discrepancies in equipment, training and standards between services in England and between the UK nations, since Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have some statutory duties.

In responding to wildfires, which does fall within the remit of fire and rescue services, budgets have undergone years of real terms cuts, the NFCC warned.

NFCC chair Mark Hardingham said: ‘The absence of a statutory duty to respond to flooding and inland water incidents in England challenges our ability to ensure our services are prepared, with the appropriate equipment and training in place.

‘It also risks there being different standards of safety depending on where you live in the UK.

‘We would like to see the Government consult on introducing these changes to the legal framework, but with core budgets already under significant strain, any revisions to our statutory obligations must be met with adequate funding.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Executive Director – Adult Social Care, Health & Wellbeing

Sefton Borough Council
£131,208 (Hay 1)
Lead with Purpose. Build on Excellence. Shape the Future of Health and Wellbeing in Sefton. Sefton (Metropolitan borough), Merseyside
Recuriter: Sefton Borough Council

Strategic Finance Business Partners (five roles)

Nottingham City Council
up to £80k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Director of Finance (Strategy) – deputy S151

Nottingham City Council
up to £125k
Nottingham is a bold, vibrant, and exciting Core City at the heart of the UK, alive with potential and ambition. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Nottingham City Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Customer Specialist

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum
Customer SpecialistPermanent, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 pro rataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner