Flood rescue crews lack safety equipment

摘要

A year after summer floods caused havoc, the safety of rescue crews remains at risk because Fire and Rescue Services remain under resourced to cope with major flooding.rnThe Fire Brigades Union says crews still lack even basic safety equipment such as waterproof clothing, boots and life jackets. In a new report, the FBU blames the lack of funding on the Government's decision not to include a specific statutory duty for crews to respond to major flooding incidents in the 2007 Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order for England. The union says this lack of a legal duty means fire and rescue authorities in England are still prevented from applying for new funding for the extra equipment, training and personnel needed to deal with the increased risk of flooding climate experts predict.