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Call for clarity on statutory responsibility for managing flooding |
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The Chief Fire Officers’ Association has welcomed the findings of Sir Michael Pitt’s interim report on the summer floods, Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods, published last month. CFOA President Steve McGuirk told FIRE: “I am pleased that Sir Michael Pitt recognises the importance of a statutory duty for managing inland flood and water events and I look forward to central government providing clarity on which agency will be assigned overall responsibility for the management of flood and water emergency incidents. “The 2006 CFOA report Management of Major Flood Events – FRS Contribution to the Emergency Phase draws attention to this crucial gap in management and co-ordination of inland flood events despite the diverse and complex nature of these incidents. CFOA will respond to Sir Michael’s recommendations giving the professional opinion of Fire and Rescue Service leaders who managed the response to the floods on the ground and who coordinated the resources of fire and rescue services and other agencies on a national level in response to requests for help from affected areas.” CFO McGuirk concluded: “The report, which is written from the standpoint of flood victims, rightly praises the work of the fire and rescue services and other emergency responders for their ‘dedication and commitment’ and who ‘were highly effective in offering practical help, support and reassurance to affected communities.’ We are proud of the contribution the Fire and Rescue Service made to protecting our communities during this significant and unprecedented threat to public health, property and infrastructure.”
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