Fire and rescue service deal with hundreds of flooding incidents in Bedfordshire

The Fire Brigades Union said environmental incidents like flooding will become increasingly common with climate change, and called on the Government for more investment "after more than a decade of cuts".

New figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) show Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 231 flooding incidents in the year to December – up from 177 the year before, and from 87 five years ago.

It means there were 32 such incidents per 100,000 people. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.

A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Last year (2024) saw the Service attend an increased number of flooding-related incidents, particularly owing to the flash flooding that was experienced in September. North rural areas of Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire were the worst hit by widespread flooding, and the fire service supported as part of a multi-agency response. One day in September saw record-breaking rainfall according to the Met Office, which resulted in the Service's Fire Control managing one of it's busiest 24-hour periods in more than a decade."

Fire and rescue services across England were called to 16,934 flooding incidents last year – up just 1.3 per cent on the previous year, but a 17 per cent increase from five years ago.

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said climate change will result in flooding and other natural incidents being increasingly common, and called for more investment to keep people safe.

He said job cuts have resulted in the loss of one in five firefighters, adding further budget reductions were made this year by the Government, warning "that trend must urgently be reversed".

Nationally, fire and rescue services attended a total of 600,185 fire and non-fire related incidents last year – up only 1.2 per cent on the previous year, but a 20 per cent increase over the last 10 years.

Mr Wright added: "We also need to address the fact that, in England, the fire and rescue service does not even have a statutory duty to respond to flooding.

"The Government can and should remedy this situation."

The fire service explained that during busy times, it “only respond when there is a risk to life”.

The service explained: "Members of the public can help by staying out of flood water, do not drive through flood water or ignore road closed signs, and being prepared with a flood plan if you know your area is prone to flooding. The fire service will always attend an incident if there is a risk to life, but it cannot provide pumps to remove water from your home.”