Fire Service Unveils New Strategies to Tackle Climate Change Threats and Rising Risks

The Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority warns that the risks from flooding, wildfires, and accidents involving electric vehicles are set to rise in the next three years. They’ve noticed a troubling trend with water rescues in the region, reporting that their incidents are three times higher than the national average.

Tragically, the area also sees a considerable number of suicides, especially in its rivers and waterways. This is a serious concern for the community and emergency services alike.

The fire authority, which includes leaders from Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, is updating its Community Risk Management Plan for 2025-28. Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman shared at a recent meeting that his team has performed more rescues from flash floods in the past three years than he had in the rest of his career. One recent rescue involved a car submerged in water on Battlefield Link Road in Shrewsbury.

Councillor David Minnery noted how surprising it would have been a decade ago to think that cars would need rescue in places like Battlefield.

A report to councillors highlighted that stakeholders favor proactive steps to tackle climate-related risks. There are plans to improve water rescue and wildfire responses, particularly in Shrewsbury, where flooding is a unique challenge.

One solution includes positioning a fire engine on the west side of Shrewsbury during severe weather when access becomes difficult due to flooding. Councillor Paul Davis emphasized that there’s a lot of work ahead to manage the flood plains in Shropshire.

The authority aims to expand water rescue training and resources and to educate the community about climate-related risks. The report indicates that as climate change worsens, they’ll boost water rescue capabilities, enhance wildfire responses, and create strategies to manage water supply during droughts. This includes relocating resources during extreme weather to improve response times.

They’re also preparing for incidents involving electric vehicles and battery storage systems, ensuring firefighters have the right training and tools to handle these situations safely. Furthermore, they plan to develop a detailed approach to transport water to areas that need it most.

In the last seven years, the fire service has attended 200 water rescues, primarily along the River Severn and in towns like Ironbridge and Bridgnorth. Such areas are prone to incidents due to their population density and urban accessibility. The region’s water-related fatality and injury rate stands at 2.07 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the national average of 0.82. This statistic reflects the community’s pressing concerns, especially regarding suicide attempts, which are also above average in Shropshire.

Councillors have approved the new three-year plan, focusing on enhancing safety and response strategies for these pressing issues.