Fire and Rescue Authorities


Fire and Rescue Authorities

bodies charged with taking action in relation to fire and other emergencies. There is now a statutory duty to provide fire safety education. They are to plan and provide arrangements for fighting fires and protecting life and property from fires within their areas. A fire and rescue authority is required to secure the provision of sufficient personnel, services and equipment to deal with all normal circumstances, as well as adequate training. There must be effective arrangements for receiving and responding to calls for help. They are charged with making provision for rescuing persons from road traffic accidents and for dealing with the aftermath of such accidents. There are powers conferred on the Secretary of State, by order following consultation, to place a duty on fire and rescue authorities to respond to particular types of emergency, as defined by order, such as flooding and terrorist incidents. They may also be directed by him or her as to how they should plan, equip for and respond to such emergencies.