London Fire Brigade is “far better prepared” for a potential heatwave this summer with 100 extra recruits equipped with in-depth wildfire training and new kit, according to the deputy commissioner.
As wildfires rip through Greece and a heatwave grips southern Europe during the peak summer travel period - seeing temperatures soar to 46C - the LFB is preparing for warmer and drier conditions forecast for mid-August in London.
The service has been “working all year round” in anticipation of another possible heatwave after record-breaking 40C temperatures crippled the brigade last July.
A devastating wildfire destroyed 16 homes in Wennington, Essex, on July 19 - one of the brigade’s busiest days in “the modern firefighting era”.
Although the Met Office has said there is “one per cent” chance that the European heatwave will hit the UK, hot temperatures are expected to return in August.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Dom Ellis told the Standard: “We’re bringing forward additional training to get additional recruits through the door so that we can have all of our, or as many of our appliances, on the run as possible.”
Mr Ellis said there are still staff shortages but the brigade has recruited around 100 more firefighters since last July.
“We hope in the next year to 18 months we’ll be as near to full establishment as we can get,” he said. Extra firefighters will be brought in on recall and pre-arranged overtime.
A major incident review into the LFB’s handling of the wildfires on July 19 last year revealed that 39 fire engines were not available due to firefighter shortages.
The brigade is expecting more grass fires and wildfires in London due to the climate emergency, and the Met Office already confirmed that June this year was the hottest June on record.
Firefighters have been learning from fire and rescue services in Europe, Canada, Australia and 40 firefighters were sent to Northumberland to upskill on tackling wildfires, Mr Ellis said.
“It’s more about looking at the geography, the weather, the wind pattern and seeing where the fire is going and how you best stop it.”
The brigade is armed this year with six “holey” hoses that can shoot water up to two-metres into the air to tackle wildfires using pre-prepared holes that run along the length of the hose, creating a “curtain of water”.
Staff also have lighter PPE, sun hats instead of helmets, and electrolyte drinks for working long hours.
Meanwhile, ten wildfire officers and 30 wildfire tactical advisors have been trained up to support incident commanders at large grass fires and wildfires.
Their duties include examining the slope of the land, vegetation and where is best “to make an attack” to stop fire spreading.
Mr Ellis described it as “a slightly different look on firefighting” for London firefighters.
He said staff will be out in the community to remind people not to use disposable barbecues in the park or raising it with local park officials, and cutting vegetation so wildfires don’t spread to properties.
“We need to be far more proactive and on the front foot in responding to this challenge for London if this is the way the climate’s evolved and we’re going to be having hotter summers,” he told the Standard.
“The bit we’ve learned from international partners is about shared understanding of the risk.
“This isn’t just a fire brigade issue. This is a societal issue. Landowners and local authorities need to manage their open spaces.”
