National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)

NFCC has called for further action to tackle extreme weather events. NFCC has asked the Government to consult on introducing statutory duties ensuring that fire and rescue services across the UK can provide a coordinated and effective response to events such as flooding and inland water incidents. National Fire Chiefs Council 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 that extreme weather can have. Here in the UK, we experienced heatwaves in 2022 which saw wildfires impact upon urban areas on a scale not seen before and, last year, Storm Babet saw hundreds of homes and businesses flooded and at least seven people lose their lives. “Fire and rescue services need to be supported to respond to serious events in a coordinated and effective way. “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. “With risks around extreme weather only 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 our communities.” Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/exfiUrJs

Wildfires are being impacted by prolonged warmer weather – since 2021, there have been over 1,500 wildfires in England and Wales, with heatwaves in 2022 seeing 994 incidents in that year alone. NFCC are calling for the Government to work with the sector to ensure specialist equipment and capabilities are maintained. We are 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. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e62dzDs8

The risk of water safety incidents can increase with extreme weather. NFCC has asked the Government to consult on introducing statutory duties ensuring that fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the UK can provide a coordinated and effective response to these increasing risks. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e62dzDs8

The frequency and magnitude of flooding is expected to increase due to climate change in the coming years. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that approximately 6.1 million people in the UK are at significant risk of flooding, with the number expected to rise to between 9.8 million and 13.3 million by 2050. NFCC has asked the Government to consult on introducing statutory duties to ensure that fire and rescue services across the UK can provide a coordinated and effective response to these increasing risks. Read the here: https://lnkd.in/e62dzDs8

NFCC has called for further action to tackle extreme weather events. Three new policy position statements calling for further action to tackle the impact of wildfires, flooding, and the effect of increased rainfall and hotter summer temperatures on inland water safety have been published. NFCC has asked the Government to consult on introducing statutory duties ensuring that fire and rescue services across the UK can provide a coordinated and effective response to these increasing risks. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/exfiUrJs

The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) is seeking a new Independent Coordinating Group Chair. As Chair, you'll collaborate with key organisations, including the RNLI, RoSPA, RLSS UK, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, guiding the forum through an exciting period of change as they develop a new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy. If you’re passionate about water safety and have the drive to reduce water-related deaths across the UK, we want to hear from you! Find out more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eqGXCyN8 #watersafety RNLI Royal Life Saving Society UK - RLSS UK National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Maritime and Coastguard Agency Carlene McAvoy

NFCC condemns the violent disorder over the past few days and the escalating use of arson which presents a considerable risk to life. Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham, said: “We are appalled at the horrific scenes of violence that we have witnessed over the past few days. We have significant concerns about the escalation in arson which presents a considerable risk to the lives of those inside the buildings targeted, the responding firefighters and other emergency services workers. “There is absolutely no just cause for this violence and fire and rescue services serving the cities and towns affected stand with the other emergency services who have been attacked as they work to keep communities safe. “Fire and rescue services will continue to work with our emergency service partners to protect local communities and we call for an immediate end to this violence which has no place in our society.” Link to statement is here: https://lnkd.in/eRD7Btxk

As temperatures across the UK continue to rise, it's important to enjoy time in and around water safely. Do your research and make sure you are properly prepared. Two independent studies one by Bournemouth University and the other by the Royal Life Saving Society UK have both found that more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather. NFCC Lead on Water Safety and Chair of the UK National Water Safety Forum, Dawn Whittaker, explains why accidental drowning deaths are likely to increase during hot weather. Read the full story here including some safety advice from RNLI: https://lnkd.in/dGEJW7x7

Last week, we attended the opening of the National Resilience Centre of Excellence, the UK's most advanced emergency service training site, at Merseyside FRS. Officially launched by Home Office Minister, the Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, the state-of-the-art facility is set to enhance our national response to large-scale emergencies. The Centre forms part of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s new Training and Development Academy in Aintree, Liverpool and offers cutting-edge training environments, including simulated scenarios like building collapses and terrorist attacks. It will equip our firefighters with the skills needed to protect communities across the country. Discover how this new Centre will transform emergency services training in the UK and bolster national resilience: https://lnkd.in/e6cJYR3j

25th of July is World #DrowningPrevention Day. We're asking people to #RespectTheWater. Would you know what to do in an emergency? Find out more www.RespectTheWater.com #CallTellThrow