08/03/2005 - The emergency
response to incidents in Hereford and Worcester
posing a threat to the environment has now
been streamlined thanks to a protocol signed
today (8 March 2005) by Hereford and Worcester
Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) and the Environment
Agency.
The protocol formalises the close working
arrangements which already exist between the
two organisations. It covers issues such as
training and funding as well as operational
factors such as which part of incident each
organisation is directly responsible for.
HWFRS’ Chief Fire Officer, David O’Dwyer
and the Environment Agency’s Environment Manager
for the Worcester area, David Throup, will
sign the protocol on Tuesday 8 March 2005
at 09.30 at Stourport Fire Station, Foundry
Street, Stourport.
Under the protocol, the HWFRS will notify
the Environment Agency at an early stage of
incidents and, through the extensive training
received, ensure that even seemingly harmless
substances do not adversely affect the environment.
The HWFRS 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 HWFRS with
equipment to minimise the impact of pollution
during incidents. Every fire engine now carries
a pollution 'Grab Pack' containing drain seals,
booms which skim and collect oil from the
surface of watercourses and oil absorbent
materials.
HWFRS has also been provided with specialist
equipment, including pumps, tanks, larger
booms and containers for leaking drums, which
is held on two trailers at Evesham and Stourport-on-Severn.
This equipment has been used many times to
prevent the pollution of watercourses. In
summer 2004 officers worked with the Environment
Agency to hold back many thousands of gallons
of milk and contaminated water after a major
tanker crash on the A49 north of Leominster.
Milk is an example of a 'harmless' substance
that will cause serious pollution if it enters
rivers.
Speaking about the protocol, David Throup
says: "We are a strong believer in working
partnerships with fire services in order to
ensure a safer, cleaner environment. Protocols
such as this one are an important part of
this process, as they provide the foundations
which will enable these partnerships to develop."
David O’Dwyer says: "The affect of fire
and hazardous materials on the environment
has been of concern to the HWFRS for some
time. The HWFRS and the Environment Agency
have a long established relationship to deal
with such incidents and this protocol builds
on this, demonstrating both organisations’
commitment to ensuring safer communities and
protecting the environment of Herefordshire
and Worcestershire."
