Adapting to climate change
[ch 5: page 74]As the fire brigades union FBU points out (see page 7), climate change is already affecting the UK, with record hot temperatures, flooding and wildfires. Extreme weather events are likely to increase, and unions are calling on employers to take action in response. For example, the FBU is calling for UK-wide professional standards for training, equipment and kit and for fire services to have a legal duty to respond to floods, with resources from central funding to match this duty in England. There is already a legal duty in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The National Risk Register highlights flooding, severe weather and wildfire as major risks affecting the UK, but the FBU says there has been little central government guidance directed towards the fire and rescue service to ensure national resilience.