Fire service feels the effects of climate change

Climate change is impacting how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) keep residents safe in South Lanarkshire.

The fire service is taking a “proactive” approach to the challenges facing the region with “hotter summers, wetter winters and everything in between” on the horizon.

South Lanarkshire area commander Alan Fairbairn said: “Climate change absolutely is having an impact.

“It is driving the type of appliances that we are developing and the things we have to respond to.

“Up north is more prevalent to wildfire, that is just historical and they know that and it is getting worse because of the hotter, drier climate.”

The extreme temperatures last summer saw over 100 grass and woodland fires in South Lanarkshire but SFRS have identified more pressing issues for residents in the area.

Kenny Barbour, group manager for prevention and protection, said: “Whether last summer was a blip, you could argue one way or another, but we are probably looking at more realistically wetter climates.

“Down in the Clyde Valley, there are local flood plans being put together working with SEPA and the local communities.

“I would envisage, taking the last few years, the work around floods is probably more relevant than the hotter weather we experienced last year.”

Mr Fairbairn added: “We know we’ve got residents and communities that are at risk of flooding down in Clyde Valley so again we are being proactive with the station down there.

“From a response point of view we are prepared operationally, we know what we’re going to do but could we do something further? Yip.

“In partnership with the local authority, we bought flood barriers which we tested at Clydesmill (SFRS South Lanarkshire HQ) and now there is a pre-arranged plan of where they would be placed if the Clyde started to rise.”

Engagement with residents is key for the fire service as it helps to ensure communities are resilient to climate-related issues they may be susceptible to.

However, that doesn’t always work as the climate changes.

“We are getting extremes,” Mr Fairbairn continued. “Hotter summers and wetter winters and everything in between.

“We have seen extremes of snow recently and back in 2010/11 when the M8 and M74 essentially closed and drivers were trapped, so it is having an impact.

“Another example of that is when it is hot and warm, our retained firefighters are out a lot longer which has an impact on their primary employers because they are away dealing with grass and moorland fires.”