Essex firefighters respond to 70 rescue incidents in 24 hours
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to more than 180 incidents yesterday (14 January)
Essex's fire service was called to more than 180 incidents in 24 hours yesterday (14 January).
It was after heavy rain caused wide spread flooding across the county.
Firefighters responded to around 70 rescue incidents, including a dog who had been swept away in a river in Halstead, a number of flooded properties and road traffic collisions.
Meanwhile the Fire Control Room team had to deal with triple the calls the service usually receives on an average day.
On top of emergency incidents, the team also received around 90 calls which came from homeowners and drivers who were experiencing the effects of the flooding, but were not a life risk.
Fire service response was not needed at these incidents and callers were given advice by operators.
On an average day, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service receives 58 calls to incidents and the last 24 hours has seen triple the volume of calls.
On-call firefighters in Braintree spent nearly three hours preventing flood water entering 12 houses last night after the River Brain in Great Notley burst its banks.
The team worked with on-call firefighters from Maldon who brought specialist equipment to help pump the water in sections away from the houses as well as with the Environment Agency.
Station manager Steve Wintrip from Braintree Fire Station said:
"Crews worked really hard in falling temperatures to prevent the water getting into the front doors and were there for several hours at the end of a particularly challenging day attending water related incidents."
The fire service can only respond to incidents when there is a risk to life while also responding to a variety of incidents including fires, road traffic collisions and gas leaks.
But, it does work with partner agencies to help during floods.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is advising drivers not to risk driving through floodwater and to instead turn around and find another route.
Meanwhile the service’s advice for residents whose homes are being affected by floodwater is and only if it is safe to do so:
- Ensure your external drains are clear of debris
- Take everything off the ground to prevent damage
- Turn electrics off and if you cannot do this safely, call an electrician.