Suffolk fire service handed �73,000 for flood rescues
Suffolk's fire service has received �73,000 of government funding to help them deal with flood emergencies.
The cash – made up of two grants awarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – will be used to buy four new boats as well as support equipment.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service's currently has three boats in action with water rescue teams in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and additional trained firefighters in Haverhill, Newmarket and Felixstowe.
Andy Fry, Suffolk's chief fire officer, said the extra boats would boost the brigade's flood response ability.
He said: 'By doubling the number of boats we have available, we can increase our ability to deal with, and protect people from, local flooding incidents.
'It also means that when a national incident occurs and resources such as these are called upon, Suffolk isn't left without the necessary equipment to protect its own residents. This is great news for Suffolk.'
The grants are part of the government's �2.7m Flood Rescue Grant Scheme to improve flood response in England and Wales.
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All equipment bought with the Defra funding will be added to the National Asset Register of flood rescue resources that emergency services across the country can call upon in the event of a major flood.
