Initiatives in several counties across the East region already allow firefighters to access farm water bowsers with adaptors, and work is under way to take this further.
In Cambridgeshire, firefighters can now tap into rainwater harvesting tanks during emergencies, while Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue is building up a directory of static water supplies available for use when tackling rural fires.
皇家华人has worked with both fire and rescue services to produce stickers that can be placed on rainwater harvesting tanks and other locations where water is available for emergency use. It is also encouraging members to register water sources.
NFU Cambridgeshire County Adviser Rory Kerr said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge issue when the fire service comes out to tackle rural fires and struggles to access enough water.
鈥淏eing able to tap into static water supplies on farms can save time, property and ultimately lives.鈥�
A valuable partnership
The partnership working is already proving its worth in Hertfordshire, with firefighters accessing a static water supply provided by an NFU member at a critical moment when tackling a blaze at Codicote Quarry.听
Station Commander Dave Smith, who was in operational charge, said: 鈥淎ccessing that water made such a huge difference. Crews tapped into several thousand litres to supplement their water supplies.
鈥淎 bowser was on its way but that takes time, and it was much quicker to be able to tap into this source. It鈥檚 an early demonstration of how valuable this partnership is.鈥�
In Cambridgeshire, the idea for accessing rainwater harvesting tanks came after a serious combine harvester fire on a field next to Matt and Stacey Branson鈥檚 farm at Glatton, Huntingdon.
A huge community effort, including an appeal for volunteers through the Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch network, saved properties and brought the fire under control, but highlighted the water availability issue.
Stacey, who works for Catchment Sensitive Farming, said: 鈥淚t was one of the hottest summers on record, and it was spate conditions that day, so the fire service was really stretched but doing all it could.
鈥淲hen firefighters arrived, they had to travel two miles each way to the nearest hydrant, but on farm we had rainwater harvesting tanks that were full.鈥�
Saving damage, money and heartache
After the incident, Stacey worked with her friend Chelsey McKimmie, a firefighter and part-time agricultural contractor, on developing the idea.
Chelsey said: 鈥淚t made sense that we could tap into rainwater harvesting tanks to use them as a water source, so the project started.
鈥淲e spoke to lots of people within the fire service, and within farming, to try and establish the best way of getting the fire service, and farming, to work together, not just on rainwater collection but also pieces of kit we can use, such as cultivators to create field breaks in fires to stop them from spreading.
鈥淲e now carry adaptors on our frontline fire appliances so we can use the sprayer hoses that sit with the water tanks and tap into them as an emergency water source.鈥�
Farmers can complete a short form on the 听to register their water source.听
This includes a what3words location, details of the tank鈥檚 capacity, and which coupling to use. Once they have signed up, they are sent a sticker to ensure the right tank is accessed during an emergency.
Chelsey said: 鈥淲hen we get to field fires, and farm fires, time is of the essence. Getting control of the fire quickly saves a lot of damage, a lot of money, a lot of heartache.
鈥淚t鈥檚 tough enough in farming as it is, let alone adding fires to the mix as well. The quicker we can tap into a water supply, whether on farm or a hydrant, the better. We can get control of the incident and start making things safe.鈥�
Control room demonstration
As part of the partnership working in Hertfordshire, NFU members attended a 鈥榮how and tell鈥� session at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue鈥檚 training and development site in Stevenage.听
This was an opportunity to look at the equipment available to fight fires and deal with other incidents in rural areas, and to discuss how farmers can help.听
The group also went into the control room to find out what happens when a 999 call comes in. This included a demonstration of the latest technology, used to provide live video feeds of incidents such as farm fires from mobile phones.
Station Commander Dave Smith said: 鈥淭he enthusiasm and expertise of the farmers was on full display while we showcased our operational resources and fire control capabilities to NFU members.听
鈥淓vents like these are a powerful reminder of our responsibility to engage with our rural communities to understand how we can best help protect them.听
鈥淲e've already taken steps to enhance the information we gather about the farms in Hertfordshire and have encouraged several members to make their static water supplies available and display signs to highlight them, just from this event alone.鈥�
During the Stevenage event, farmers chatted to the crews in charge of the fire service鈥檚 water bowser, met the livestock and deep water rescue team and found out about the service鈥檚 mobile misting system, described as a pressure washer on the back of a 4 by 4, which can be used to tackle stubble fires quickly and effectively.
NFU member Tom Parkins brought along a water bowser, provided by Woodhall Estate, to show how farmers can help provide water when fires occur.
Willingness to get involved
Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman also attended the event, along with Inspector Mark Collins and Sergeant David Miller from Hertfordshire Constabulary. He said the willingness on behalf of everyone to get involved should not be underestimated.
鈥淚f there is anything more we can do to support the NFU and the local rural communities then please let us know, because we want to be involved,鈥� he said.
County Adviser Josh Redford said: 鈥淭he fact that Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer attended the event demonstrates the reach and trust we鈥檝e established across Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really encouraging to see this partnership developing, and to hear how it is already having a positive impact during incidents such as the Codicote Quarry fire.鈥�
Fire safety information
Fire safety information from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Farm fire advice from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
West Sussex Fire Safety leaflet
View our rainwater harvesting video
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