Emergency staff suffered abuse during flooding

Luton Borough Council heard the fire service was busy attending incidents across Bedfordshire, including the A421

Control room staff received verbal abuse while answering emergency calls during last month’s flooding, a meeting heard.

Heavy rainfall caused significant disruption across Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and parts of central Bedfordshire on 22 September.

Luton Borough Council heard 356 incidents were registered with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in eight hours, or one every seven seconds, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Labour councillor Jacqui Burnett, who was presenting a county fire service report, said: “Some of the control staff received verbal abuse on the phone from residents because rescue relief from flooding isn’t a statutory provision.”

She explained the service played a pivotal role in the multi-agency response coordinated by Bedfordshire local resilience forum (BLRF), based on tactical and strategical group meetings.

Ms Burnett said: “Firefighters were involved rescuing individuals from submerged vehicles and flooded homes.

"They tackled a house fire and a roof alight, handled animal rescues, and attended multiple road accidents, several properties struck by lightning and numerous medical emergencies, including a pregnant woman in distress."

The councillor explained the service also dealt with notable flooding on the A421 near Marston Moretaine, cleared blocked roads and carried out welfare checks.

Labour councillor Javeria Hussain said: “Our Bedfordshire fire and rescue are unsung heroes, and I pay tribute to the incredible work they do.”