Salvation Army supports emergency services during heatwave
published on 15 Jul 2022
The Salvation Army has been providing support to Fire and Rescue services across the nation as they respond to an increasing number of incidents triggered by the hot weather.
The church and charity’s Incident Support vehicles provide refreshments and emotional support to Fire and Rescue staff and local communities.
Hot weather often means an increase in fires, and we are on hand to help the emergency services with refreshments as they work in difficult and hot conditions.
In the last few days we have been called to a number of incidents including:
- Two large fires in the North-West within a period of 12 hours, one in Widnes and one near Clitheroe.
- Four forest fires in the Dovestones area, where the team provided practical and emotional support to 60 Firefighters, Police staff, paramedics and park rangers.
- A fire in Harrow, London, and the following night in Witham, Essex.
- A fire that broke out in Trafalgar Square, Central London. The team set up in The Mall within sight of Admiralty Arch and Horse Guards Parade.
- An incident at a waste recycling plant in Chorley, Lancashire, where the team provided 24-hour support across four days.
Adrian Clee, the Territorial Emergency Response Officer for The Salvation Army said:
“Our Fire and Rescue Services face up to horrendous conditions during hot weather. The support of The Salvation Army enables them to have the chance to relax their tunics, cool down and to rehydrate before going on with their vital work.
“Our teams are always ready to roll their sleeves up and to come alongside the Emergency Services, supporting them and affected communities.”
The Salvation Army is a member of the Voluntary Sector Emergency Group and works closely with government and voluntary sector colleagues to respond to major incidents, as well as heatwaves and other severe weather events.
