Chief fire officer David Ashworth said one of the lessons Norfolk fire service learned from the 2013 storm surge and its aftermath was to request help from other brigades.

Eastern Daily Press: Fire at Regent Superbowl in Regent Road, Great Yarmouth. Pictured: Assistant chief fire officer David Ashworth. PICTURE: ANTONY KELLYFire at Regent Superbowl in Regent Road, Great Yarmouth. Pictured: Assistant chief fire officer David Ashworth. PICTURE: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant)

Full-time and retained firefighters from across Norfolk stood by as high water neared on Friday, supported by crews from as far afield as the Midlands and South Wales. Fortunately, their services were not needed as the forecast gales failed to materialise, so the tides did not breach defences.

'I was really pleased with how it went,' said Mr Ashworth. 'We plan for the worst and hope for the best. We learned a lot from our experiences of 2013, so the whole thing was a lot slicker than it was last time.'

Eastern Daily Press: Storm surge in SheringhamStorm surge in Sheringham (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

Mr Ashworth said information provided by the Environment Agency enabled resources to be directed to areas most at risk from Friday night's high tide.

'Thanks to their information, we were able to get everything in place,' he said. 'We're thankful for the support from other services, which was part of a nationally co-ordinated response.'

Eastern Daily Press: The tide spills onto Wells Quay leaving the Albatros surrounded by water. But the sea did not breach the town's defences. Picture: Chris BishopThe tide spills onto Wells Quay leaving the Albatros surrounded by water. But the sea did not breach the town's defences. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Archant)

Crews travelled to Norfolk from Warkwickshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands, Hereford and Worcester, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and South Wales.

They included eight swift water rescue teams with four tactical advisers, two high-volume pumps with two tactical advisers and advanced logistical support.

Eastern Daily Press: The storm surge that hit Southwold in December 2013. Picture: DAVID ANDREWSThe storm surge that hit Southwold in December 2013. Picture: DAVID ANDREWS (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

'Virtually every resource in Norfolk contributed in one way or another last night,' said Mr Ashworth. 'We had people who remained on duty and people who came in who were off-duty. I'm grateful for all the effort Norfolk fire service personnel have put in over the last couple of days.' Norfolk fire service requested assistance via the London Fire Brigade, which co-ordinates national response, on Thursday.

Mr Ashworth, who took over as Norfolk's chief fire officer after Roy Harold retired in November, said one of the lessons learned from the 2013 storm surge was when to request national resource.