NYFRS Aligns Resources: Reduced Bowsers for Enhanced Wildfire Response

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) is set to reduce its water bowser fleet, with plans to replace only one of its two existing vehicles between 2025 and 2029. This strategic decision, outlined in the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), will see funds reallocated towards "rural firefighting, wildfire fighting and the provision of water." This initiative aims to bolster the service's capacity to handle incidents similar to the recent, prolonged wildfire on the North York Moors.

The service is also refining its response protocols for automatic fire alarms. Currently, firefighters do not respond to alarms from non-residential locations between 7 AM and 7 PM unless a fire is confirmed. This policy is set to become a 24-hour operation, although it will not affect residential properties. This change aligns NYFRS with a common practice in England, intended to optimize firefighter availability for critical incidents and essential prevention activities.

The CRMP, covering 2025-2029, acknowledges lessons learned from recent wildfires, including the need for better community asset registers and formal contracts with local support, such as contractors and farmers who provided crucial aid during the North York Moors incident. These new vehicles, replacing aging equipment over 20 years old, will remain in service for a similar duration, ensuring long-term capability.