Fire and rescue services have "key role to play in responding to the climate change emergency" says LGA

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 (LGA).

As climate change continues, the impact on the fire and rescue service will become more pronounced. For example, Storm Dennis triggered a national fire service response to the widespread flooding caused by the storm, and in 2018, there was a 28 per cent increase in outdoor fires linked to a hot, dry summer.

The LGA says that in future, the fire and rescue service may be called upon to respond to more extreme weather events, which could stretch local fire services.

The current Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Sustainability Strategy (2014-2020) outlines an overall target of being carbon positive by 2050 and essentially moving beyond net zero.

By April 2019, they had achieved a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from a baseline set in 2008/09.

The prevention activities of fire and rescue services not only keep people safe but also play a vital role in limiting the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. As the risks posed by extreme weather increase, the service must be properly resourced to meet that risk.

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.

At its annual fire conference in Blackpool, the LGA, 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.

Cllr 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.”

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) spokesperson said: “This LGA report highlights that we cannot ignore the direct impact of a changing environment on our communities and the service we deliver. Fire and Rescue services experience the impact of more extreme weather conditions, such as flooding and wildfires, first-hand. These weather conditions increase the complexity and scale of emergencies that we respond to.

“As the report shows, GMFRS are working hard to reduce our environmental impact and our current Sustainability Strategy outlines an overall target of being carbon positive by 2050. The strategy also outlines our ambition to become a zero-waste organisation, causing zero pollution, creating zero wasted water, as well as being local leaders on sustainability. By April 2019, we had achieved a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from a baseline set in 2008/09.

“The Mayor of Greater Manchester has also announced that the city-region would target carbon neutrality by 2038 and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority declared a climate emergency in Summer 2019. To drive action, the Greater Manchester five-year environment plan was announced which details actions to rapidly progress action towards 2038.

“GMFRS will be working with partners across Greater Manchester to assist the city-region in achieving these ambitions.”