SURREY Fire and Rescue Service has signed an agreement with Surrey Search and Rescue (SSR) to work together in the event of flooding and during other water rescues.

Trained search and rescue volunteers already supports fire crews and other emergency services at incidents when called on to do so. They worked alongside firefighters to rescue stranded people during the floods in February 2014, as part of an operation codenamed ‘Franklin’

Now the registered charity has signed a memorandum of understanding which formally sets out how they will work and train together.

SSR will support fire crews when called on, operating under their guidance. Incidents could include rescuing residents from flooded homes.

County Council cabinet associate for community safety services Kay Hammond said: “The fire service is equipped and trained to carry out water rescues and this agreement will give them even more support when they request it.”

“Surrey Search and Rescue has worked with the fire service at several previous incidents and I’m pleased they have formalised this agreement to work and train together to further improve people’s safety.”

James Rossell, the charity’s head of water rescue, said: “Our crews are trained to national standards. Water rescue is part of our skill set and we have specialist equipment and vehicles for this role, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”