Fire services important in tackling climate change

A new report for fire and rescue services to help them respond to the climate emergency at a local level has been published by the Local Government Association.

In recent months, Storm Dennis triggered a national fire service response to the wide spread flooding caused by the storm and in 2018 there was a 28 per cent increase in outdoor fires linked to a hot, dry summer. There is little denying that, as climate change continues, the impact on the fire and rescue service (FRS) will become more pronounced. It is, however, more than likely that in the future FRS may be called upon to respond to more extreme weather events, which could stretch local fire services.

Councils leaders are warning that FRS may be called upon to respond to more extreme weather events, which could stretch local fire services. Local authorities have faced an unprecedented decade of reductions in their budgets and settlement funding for fire and rescue services will have reduced by £230 million in the five years to 2020/21.

The Local Government Association, which represents all fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales, is calling for fire authorities to be able to help the government to achieve its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ian Stephens, chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee, said: “Our report helps fire and rescue authorities identify ways in which they can work on the climate emergency at a local level. We all have a part to play if we are going to meet the government’s target of Net Zero by 2050 and meet the needs of our communities as we face a changing climate.

“We want to work with the government to help it understand the challenges facing fire and rescue services, and how it can use its forthcoming Budget to ensure they are properly resourced and funded so they can adapt to challenges posed by climate change.”