One of Suffolk’s senior firefighters has been sent to assist with the national fire service’s response to the flooding in the north of England, the county’s fire chief has confirmed.
Tonight Mark Hardingham, Suffolk’s Chief Fire Officer, said that north division Group Commander John Tiffen had arrived in Cumbria this afternoon and would be acting as one of the tactical advisors providing specialist advice and support to firefighters and other agencies working together on the ground.
Mr Hardingham has been in discussions this week about potentially sending water rescue trained firefighters and officers to join the relief mission, should they be required.
Thus far, Group Commander Tiffen is the only Suffolk officer to join the rescue operation, but Mr Hardingham said personnel in Suffolk were getting prepared in case they were called upon over the coming days, especially with more bad weather on the way.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has specially trained units with specialist water rescue vehicles based at Lowestoft South and Princes Street fire stations.
Mr Hardingham added: “We have also established arrangements to send firefighters with a boat and other equipment if they are required.”
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