Use of the latest improvements to the national co-ordination and advisory framework (NCAF) has meant the severe flooding that has hit the UK over the past two days has been met with a synchronised response from fire and rescue services.

The NCAF command and logistics structures enabled fire crews to respond in the most effective way to emergency calls in badly affected areas of the country. Overnight crews from seven local fire and rescue services were supported by NCAF in carrying out rescues to protect their communities from the impact of the extreme weather conditions. 

Vij Randeniya, President of the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) said: "Our firefighters are currently undertaking rescues to protect the public in areas of the UK which have been badly affected by flooding and extreme weather conditions, working with other emergency response colleagues."  

Due to the severity of some incidents, high volume pumps and other specialist equipment have been mobilised alongside personnel trained to deal with the flooding caused by the severe weather.

The CFOA President continued: "Although the situation is serious in some parts of the country deployments across the affected areas have demonstrated the resilience and responsiveness of fire and rescue services. 

"Valiant work is taking place both strategically and on the ground. National assets have been co-ordinated to deliver a fast and effective response. The fire and rescue teams deployed to the flooded areas are making a significant impact in very difficult circumstances. This is what a well equipped, trained and motivated service can be called upon to achieve when our communities are threatened."

Floods even affected FRS personnel heading to yesterday's [22 Nov] Emergency Service Show in Coventry (see pic) and firefighters have pledged to continue to work closely with other agencies to monitor the situation and respond as required to ongoing flood warnings.

Posted 23/11/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com