Over the last five years, we have attended an average of 8,000 emergency incidents each year across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We are continually grateful for the outstanding assistance provided by the local farming community, whose quick thinking, specialist skills, and heavy equipment often make all the difference in rural emergencies.
Across the two counties, farmers and agricultural workers regularly go above and beyond to help us — often using their machinery, expertise, and local knowledge to support rescues and emergency operations. Each year, we attend many incidents where members of the farming community are among the first to offer help and their contribution often makes resolving these incidents possible.
Whether it’s using lifting equipment to assist with animal rescues, deploying digging tools to create essential fire breaks during wildfires, providing bowsers and water tanks to dampen down fire-stricken fields, or supporting us in flooded areas, the local farming community plays a crucial role in helping us protect both people and property.
We remain deeply thankful to our local farming community across Herefordshire and Worcestershire for their ongoing partnership and invaluable support in times of emergency. Their readiness to assist, often at a moment’s notice, highlights strength and unity.
“Our job is often dangerous and difficult but knowing that the farming community, is willing to come to our assistance when they are needed, is something we don’t take for granted and are extremely grateful for. I encourage all our firefighters to work closely with our farming community before, during and after a wide range of incidents, where their support and knowledge is invaluable,” said Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce KFSM.
Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce KFSM
Oliver Surman, farmer and Worcestershire NFU Chair, said,
“Farm fires are lethal – they put farmers, their crops and stock at great risk as well as destroying buildings, feed and machinery and are a huge threat to wildlife and habitat.
“We have a close working relationship with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the farming community will always pitch in when and where we can.
“We will continue to work closely with the Fire and Rescue Service and hopefully, together, we can give farmers the right guidance in case they are in the awful position of having to deal with a blaze at their business or any other emergency.”
