NFCC urges government for statutory duties on flooding and water safety for UK fire and rescue services

NFCC calls for statutory duties on flooding and inland water safety response in England

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has issued a call for statutory duties on flooding and inland water safety response in England.

This follows the publication of three policy position statements aimed at addressing the impact of wildfires, flooding, and the effects of increased rainfall and extreme heat on inland water safety.

The NFCC has urged the UK Government to consult on introducing statutory duties for flooding response and inland water safety in England, to ensure that fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the UK can provide a coordinated and effective response to the rising risks posed by climate change.

The NFCC’s call is based on the rising frequency of extreme weather events, such as wildfires and flooding, and their impact on public safety.

NFCC Chair, Mark Hardingham, said: “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, and last year Storm Babet saw hundreds of homes and businesses flooded and seven people lose their lives.”

Wildfires and the need for improved wildfire preparedness and response

In addition to flooding and inland water safety, NFCC has drawn attention to the increasing prevalence of wildfires in the UK.

Climate change has led to more frequent and intense wildfires, with over 1,500 wildfires reported in England and Wales since 2021.

NFCC’s position is that responding to wildfires is not a specifically funded capability and instead falls under the general FRS duty to extinguish fires, despite the growing challenges these incidents present.

NFCC is calling for the UK Government to keep funding for wildfire preparedness and response under review, ensuring that resources are adequate.

NFCC also emphasises the need for more consistent data collection at the national level, to improve the forecasting of wildfire risks.

The council has recommended that UK Governments adopt a consistent definition of wildfires, which would aid in collecting and analysing relevant data.

Hardingham stated: “With risks around extreme weather increasing, we need better data collection to help us develop our response and work efficiently with other agencies so that we are in the best position to protect the public.”

Rising flood risks and the call for statutory duty for flood response in England

Flooding is another area of concern raised by NFCC.

Although fire and rescue services in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have statutory duties to respond to flooding, no such duty exists in England.

The UK Health Security Agency estimates that 6.1 million people in the UK are at significant risk of flooding, with projections indicating that this number could rise to between 9.8 million and 13.3 million by 2050.

NFCC has highlighted the challenges that FRSs in England face due to the absence of statutory duties for flood response, including discrepancies in training, equipment, and standards across regions.

NFCC is advocating for the introduction of statutory duties for flood response in England, alongside sustained funding to support the necessary training and equipment.

Without this, NFCC warns that FRSs in England may fall behind those in other parts of the UK in terms of preparedness and capability.

Hardingham added: “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.”

Inland water safety and the risks posed by climate change

The NFCC’s third policy position statement addresses inland water safety, highlighting the rising risks posed by increased rainfall and higher summer temperatures due to climate change.

According to the National Water Safety Forum, recreational activities accounted for 58% of accidental drowning fatalities in the UK in 2022.

With the number of inland water incidents increasing, the NFCC is urging the government to consider statutory duties for FRSs in England to respond to water-related emergencies and undertake prevention activities.

The lack of a statutory duty in England limits the investment that FRSs can allocate towards inland water safety efforts.

NFCC believes that aligning responsibilities across the UK would help create consistency in the safety and preparedness of FRSs.

Furthermore, NFCC is advocating for clearer reporting requirements for water-related incidents, to ensure better data collection and improve prevention strategies.

NFCC’s position is that: “Establishing statutory duties in England is not about shifting responsibility from land and site owners and managers.

“It is about improving the overall capability and readiness of fire and rescue authorities.”

NFCC urges government for statutory duties on flooding and water safety for UK fire and rescue services: Summary

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has called on the UK Government to introduce statutory duties for fire and rescue services (FRSs) in England to respond to flooding and inland water safety incidents.

The NFCC’s position is based on the increasing risks posed by climate change, which have led to more frequent wildfires, flooding, and water safety incidents.

NFCC emphasises the need for sustained funding and consistent data collection to improve the preparedness of FRSs and ensure a coordinated response to these incidents.

Currently, statutory duties exist in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but not in England, leading to disparities in safety and preparedness across the UK.