When the heat is on, we will work together
28 July 2010
A formal agreement has been drawn up between the Environment Agency and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to encourage joint working which will protect the environment.
The joint working initiative was signed by both organisations on Monday, 26 July 2010 to formally recognise how they can work together during an emergency. It will also ensure effective emergency planning is in place, particularly for flooding and pollution incidents.
As part of the agreement, the Environment Agency and Fire and Rescue Service will share information, training and other resources. The fire service also receives free pollution control equipment from the Environment Agency which it can deploy at incidents.
Bernie Flanagan, Senior Environment Officer at the Environment Agency, said: "Preventative action taken by the fire service at an incident can help to protect the environment from serious harm. The advantage for us is that the fire service has the ability to get to incidents quickly. Fast action and containment can significantly minimise the environmental impact of an incident.
"We already have a very good working relationship with the service and this formalised arrangement will allow us to build upon that."
As well as providing information and sharing training and emergency exercise planning, the Environment Agency also attends emergency incidents when they pose a threat to the environment.
Bernie said: "Environmental pollution can occur at fires, spillages or accidents that the fire service attends. It can also be the result of urgent and necessary fire-fighting actions such as using foam."
