ON the day firefighters went to the assistance of hundreds of Warrington residents whose homes were flooded, their union condemned the Government for refusing to recognise their work.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) accused the Westminister government of abdicating responsibility for firefighters’ flood response.
It was, the union claimed, “an insult” and they added a warning that flooding was to increase as a result of “climate breakdown.”
Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have all recognised firefighters’ role as the primary responders to flooding in law.
But Ministers in Westminster have dodged the question for years, meaning there is no guarantee brigades responding to floods will be properly funded or resourced for the work. The FBU claimed..
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Firefighters are once again on the frontline helping their communities through devastating floods. But the Westminster government still refuses to recognise firefighters’ role with a statutory duty to respond to flooding, as they have in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This means there is no guarantee that firefighters’ flood response is properly funded or resourced.
“While firefighters go above and beyond, ministers continue to abdicate responsibility for ensuring a proper emergency response as entire communities are deluged underwater. It’s an insult to firefighters and an insult to the victims of these terrible events, which are only becoming more frequent due to the climate breakdown.”
Flooding at Dallam Picture Adrian Thompson
More footage of our firefighters working hard to help those affected by flooding, this time in Warrington. https://t.co/O6TNJWFBiE
— Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (@CheshireFire) January 21, 2021
