Greater Manchester’s Firefighters assist rescue operation to save flood victims in Cumbria

Reporter: Aisha Iqbal
Date online: 23 November 2009

Following a request for assistance due to the extraordinary flooding, firefighters from Greater Manchester have been deployed with the search and rescue operations in Cumbria, where flooding levels of eight feet overnight have led to more than 200 people being evacuated.

Two teams have been deployed, equipped with two reserve boats, made up of fourteen firefighters specially trained in water rescues, normally based at Heywood and Eccles Fire Stations and the Training and Development Centre, as well as Rochdale Borough Commander, Martin Ward. 

Four firefighters were sent from the Heywood base including: firefighters Hayward, Anderson, Booth and Harper.

The teams travelled through the night and arrived in Cumbria at around 1.30am this morning. Since then, they have been working alongside crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) assisting with the rescue operations.

The Greater Manchester teams have already rescued 35 people from the High Street area of Cockermouth using boats and wading to undertake the rescues. Those rescued include a number of children, a 90-year-old lady and an 84-year-old man.

County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said, “Our thoughts at this time are with the people of Cumbria who have been affected. The flooding situation is extraordinary and it is vital that we assist our fellow Fire and Rescue Services wherever possible. The response from the firefighters in Greater Manchester has been incredible with many volunteers coming forward and we are pleased to be able to send our specialist teams to help. They have already carried out a large number of rescues and we expect our crews to remain in the area for several days until the situation begins to ease.”