NFCC calls for additional Government action to combat extreme weather events

The frequency and magnitude of flooding is increasing due to climate change. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that approximately 6.1 million people in the UK are now at significant risk of flooding, with this number expected to rise to between 9.8 million and 13.3 million by 2050.

The risk of water safety incidents is also being amplified by the effects of more extreme weather. Hotter summer temperatures can result in more people participating in water-based leisure activities or entering the water to cool down, in turn heightening water safety risks.

The summer of 2022 was the hottest on record for the UK and, according to statistics issued by the National Water Safety Forum, recreational activities accounted for 58% of accidental drowning fatalities that year.

In the absence of a statutory duty to respond to these events, this is still having an impact on Fire and Rescue Services. Home Office data shows that, in the five years ending March 2024, the average number of flooding incidents has risen by 18% and rescues or evacuations from water each year by Fire and Rescue Services based in England have risen by 69% compared to the preceding five years.

Wildfires increasingly common

Meanwhile, wildfires are becoming increasingly common due to the prolonged warmer weather. Since 2021, there have been over 1,500 wildfires in England and Wales, with heatwaves in 2022 witnessing 994 incidents in that year alone. That’s according to Fire Service National Resilience data.

Fire and Rescue Services across the UK already undertake activities in response to extreme weather events. However, there’s no statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England in relation to flooding and inland water rescue, which can result in discrepancies in equipment, training and standards between the Fire and Rescue Services.

The NFCC believes that this is also leading to inconsistent levels of safety and preparedness across the four UK nations, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already having some statutory duties in place.

The NFCC’s position is that establishing statutory duties in England is not about shifting responsibility from land and site owners and managers. Rather, it’s about improving the overall capability and readiness of Fire and Rescue Authorities themselves.

Responding to wildfires falls under the general Fire and Rescue Service legislation to extinguish fires and is funded from core budgets, which have undergone real terms cuts in recent years. The NFCC’s position is that the Government should work with the sector to ensure specialist equipment and capabilities are maintained. It’s also calling for more consistent data collection at a national level to help forecast the emerging risks, scale and impact of wildfires and other climate-related events on communities.

In need of support

NFCC chair Mark Hardingham explained: “We’re witnessing more extreme weather across the globe. The recent wildfires in Greece serve as a reminder of the impact of extreme weather. In the UK, we experienced heatwaves in 2022, which saw wildfires impact urban areas on a scale not seen before. Last year, Storm Babet saw hundreds of homes and businesses flooded and seven people lose their lives.”

Hardingham continued: “Fire and Rescue Services need to be supported such that they can respond to serious events in a co-ordinated and effective way. The absence of a statutory duty to respond to flooding and inland water incidents in England challenges our ability to ensure that Fire and Rescue 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.”

Further, Hardingham commented: “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.”

In conclusion, Hardingham said: “With risks around extreme weather increasing, we need better data collection in order to help us develop our response and work efficiently with other agencies such that we’re in the best possible position to protect members of the public.”