Initiatives in several counties across the East region already allow firefighters to access farm water bowsers with adaptors, and work is under way to take this further.
In Cambridgeshire, firefighters can now tap into rainwater harvesting tanks during emergencies, while Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue is building up a directory of static water supplies available for use when tackling rural fires.
The NFU has worked with both fire and rescue services to produce stickers that can be placed on rainwater harvesting tanks and other locations where water is available for emergency use. It is also encouraging members to register water sources.
NFU Cambridgeshire County Adviser Rory Kerr said: “It’s a huge issue when the fire service comes out to tackle rural fires and struggles to access enough water.
“Being able to tap into static water supplies on farms can save time, property and ultimately lives.”
A valuable partnership
The partnership working is already proving its worth in Hertfordshire, with firefighters accessing a static water supply provided by an NFU member at a critical moment when tackling a blaze at Codicote Quarry.
Station Commander Dave Smith, who was in operational charge, said: “Accessing that water made such a huge difference. Crews tapped into several thousand litres to supplement their water supplies.
“A bowser was on its way but that takes time, and it was much quicker to be able to tap into this source. It’s an early demonstration of how valuable this partnership is.”
In Cambridgeshire, the idea for accessing rainwater harvesting tanks came after a serious combine harvester fire on a field next to Matt and Stacey Branson’s farm at Glatton, Huntingdon.
A huge community effort, including an appeal for volunteers through the Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch network, saved properties and brought the fire under control, but highlighted the water availability issue.
Stacey, who works for Catchment Sensitive Farming, said: “It was one of the hottest summers on record, and it was spate conditions that day, so the fire service was really stretched but doing all it could.
“When firefighters arrived, they had to travel two miles each way to the nearest hydrant, but on farm we had rainwater harvesting tanks that were full.”
Saving damage, money and heartache
After the incident, Stacey worked with her friend Chelsey McKimmie, a firefighter and part-time agricultural contractor, on developing the idea.
Chelsey said: “It made sense that we could tap into rainwater harvesting tanks to use them as a water source, so the project started.
“We spoke to lots of people within the fire service, and within farming, to try and establish the best way of getting the fire service, and farming, to work together, not just on rainwater collection but also pieces of kit we can use, such as cultivators to create field breaks in fires to stop them from spreading.
“We now carry adaptors on our frontline fire appliances so we can use the sprayer hoses that sit with the water tanks and tap into them as an emergency water source.”
Farmers can complete a short form on the fire and rescue service website to register their water source.
This includes a what3words location, details of the tank’s capacity, and which coupling to use. Once they have signed up, they are sent a sticker to ensure the right tank is accessed during an emergency.
Chelsey said: “When we get to field fires, and farm fires, time is of the essence. Getting control of the fire quickly saves a lot of damage, a lot of money, a lot of heartache.
“It’s tough enough in farming as it is, let alone adding fires to the mix as well. The quicker we can tap into a water supply, whether on farm or a hydrant, the better. We can get control of the incident and start making things safe.”
Control room demonstration
As part of the partnership working in Hertfordshire, NFU members attended a ‘show and tell’ session at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue’s training and development site in Stevenage.
This was an opportunity to look at the equipment available to fight fires and deal with other incidents in rural areas, and to discuss how farmers can help.
The group also went into the control room to find out what happens when a 999 call comes in. This included a demonstration of the latest technology, used to provide live video feeds of incidents such as farm fires from mobile phones.
Station Commander Dave Smith said: “The enthusiasm and expertise of the farmers was on full display while we showcased our operational resources and fire control capabilities to NFU members.
“Events like these are a powerful reminder of our responsibility to engage with our rural communities to understand how we can best help protect them.
“We've already taken steps to enhance the information we gather about the farms in Hertfordshire and have encouraged several members to make their static water supplies available and display signs to highlight them, just from this event alone.”
During the Stevenage event, farmers chatted to the crews in charge of the fire service’s water bowser, met the livestock and deep water rescue team and found out about the service’s mobile misting system, described as a pressure washer on the back of a 4 by 4, which can be used to tackle stubble fires quickly and effectively.
NFU member Tom Parkins brought along a water bowser, provided by Woodhall Estate, to show how farmers can help provide water when fires occur.
Willingness to get involved
Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman also attended the event, along with Inspector Mark Collins and Sergeant David Miller from Hertfordshire Constabulary. He said the willingness on behalf of everyone to get involved should not be underestimated.
“If there is anything more we can do to support the NFU and the local rural communities then please let us know, because we want to be involved,” he said.
County Adviser Josh Redford said: “The fact that Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer attended the event demonstrates the reach and trust we’ve established across Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue.
“It’s really encouraging to see this partnership developing, and to hear how it is already having a positive impact during incidents such as the Codicote Quarry fire.”
Fire safety information
Fire safety information from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Farm fire advice from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
West Sussex Fire Safety leaflet
View our rainwater harvesting video