14/06/2005 - A protocol
signed by the Environment Agency and West
Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) on the 17 June
2005 will mean the emergency response to West
Midlands incidents posing an environmental
threat will be streamlined.
The protocol formalises the close working-arrangements
that already exist between the two organisations.
It covers issues such as training and funding
as well as operational responsibilities. Legislative
changes arising from the new Fire and Rescue
Services Act 2004 reflect the importance of
environmental protection and the fire and
rescue services role in the area.
WMFS’ Chief Fire Officer Frank Sheehan and
the Environment Agency’s Area Manager, Steve
Morley, will sign the protocol on Friday 17
June 2005 at Hay Mills Fire and Rescue Station,
at 2:00pm.
Under the protocol, WMFS will notify the
Environment Agency at an early stage of incidents
and, through the established protocols and
ongoing training, ensure that even seemingly
harmless substances do not adversely affect
the environment.
WMFS is ideally placed to minimise the impact
harmful substances have on the environment
as its officers are often the first on the
scene at many incidents.
The Environment Agency provides WMFS with
equipment to minimise the impact of pollution
during incidents. Every fire appliance now
carries a pollution 'Grab Pack' containing
drain seals, booms that skim and collect oil
from the surface of watercourses and oil absorbent
materials.
WMFS has also been provided with specialist
equipment, including pumps, tanks, larger
booms and containers for leaking drums, which
is held on two specialist units.
One of these units, based at Hay Mills, has
responded to some 20 incidents during the
last 12 months. This has not just been in
the area covered by this brigade and it has
supported other neighbouring brigades too.
It can be part of a first response or a back-up
to the grab-packs carried on all front-line
appliances. The equipment it carries is vital
to enable the trained crews to stop and prevent
chemicals, petroleum products and other hazardous
material from entering watercourses and damaging
the environment.
Speaking about the protocol, area manager
Steve Morley says: "The protocol builds
on the previous good links we have established
with fire services. As the first responder
to incidents, their timely deployment of pollution
prevention measures is vital to the protection
of rivers and groundwater resources.
For the fire service, West Midlands Fire
Service Chief Fire Officer, Frank Sheehan,
says: ‘Today’s signing is a step forward in
reinforcing a very successful partnership
between West Midlands Fire Service and the
Environment Agency.
‘Fire and other incidents can often create
environmental hazards and issues and the signing
of this protocol reinforces the excellent
work already carried out between ourselves
and the Environment Agency. It will help to
ensure that we work even more efficiently
together to protect our environment during
emergencies. Working jointly with other agencies
is a vital part of the modern fire service
and this partnership signifies our commitment
to not only protecting our communities, but
our local environment as well.’
There will be an opportunity on 17 June 2005
to see the Environment Unit in action, with
fire fighters giving a demonstration of the
equipment and how it is deployed to protect
the environment.
