Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has been chosen as one of five national wildfire response teams, senior firefighters have announced, expressing pride in the selection. The move is part of a £100 million government investment in fire and rescue services across England, aimed at tackling the growing wildfire threat.
Record-Breaking Wildfire Season
Last year saw a record area of land affected by wildfires, with over 47,879 hectares scorched across the country. In response, the first-ever national programme to combat wildfires will position specialist trained firefighters in key areas, ready to deploy across England.
State-of-the-art equipment, including dedicated off-road vehicles, will be funded through a wider £97 million investment—the largest upgrade of National Resilience assets in nearly two decades.
Local Pride and Commitment
Rob Stacey, Wildfire Team Leader at Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We welcome today's announcement and are incredibly proud that Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has been selected as one of the national wildfire response teams. As wildfire risk continues to grow, this investment in specialist training, equipment and national coordination will strengthen our ability to protect communities, critical infrastructure and the environment both in Northumberland and across the country. Our firefighters have played an active role in helping to develop this capability, and we are pleased to support a stronger national response to wildfire incidents across the country."
Intensive Training and International Learning
The teams have undergone intense training over spring and summer, upskilling in the latest strategies such as tactical burning. Firefighters also travelled to South Africa and Poland to learn from international experts. The government says the move will provide "crucial protection" to "precious countryside and communities" following devastating wildfires last year.
Strategic Locations Across England
The wildfire teams will be strategically located and hosted by fire and rescue services in Northumberland, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, London, and South Wales. They will be deployable to incidents across England by the end of June.
Coun Gordon Stewart, Fire Authority Chair and Cabinet Member for Public Safety, said: "This investment demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring fire and rescue services are equipped to meet emerging risks. By supporting specialist capabilities and national resilience, it will help ensure communities are better protected and services can continue to respond effectively when they are needed most. I am proud that Northumberland is contributing to this important national effort."
Government Backing
Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon said: "This country benefits from a dedicated fire and rescue service and as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the frontline with the latest equipment. Last year saw some of our most devastating wildfires in recent history and as we head into peak season, we’re getting on and delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk."
