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Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour) on Monday, 23 March 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 March 2015. It was answered by Penny Mordaunt (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Fire and Rescue Services: Floods

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received on introducing a statutory duty on the fire and rescue service to respond to major flooding; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

In 2012, my Department, consulted interested parties on this issue. The responses supported the Government's view, that the local resilience forums are best placed to decide how to organise local flooding response, as they do for other emergencies. In 2013 the Government amended its flood response guidance to support the work of the local resilience forums, and to affirm that no statutory duty would be needed.

The Civil Contingencies Act already requires fire and rescue authorities, and other responders such as the police, ambulance and local authorities, to work together to deal with a range of risks in their area, including flooding. This collaboration worked well during the flood events in winter 2013-14.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
228650
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Fire and rescue services Floods
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk