Fire personnel to be joined by Red Cross teams

A new partnership between the British Red Cross and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will see specially trained volunteers deployed to emergency incidents across the region, including the Welshpool area.

The collaboration brings together two organisations with extensive experience in crisis response. The British Red Cross has been providing support during emergencies for over 150 years, whilst Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service protects more than 930,000 people across the region and attended over 2,500 fire incidents during 2023-2024.

Under the new arrangement, British Red Cross volunteers will be called upon by the Fire and Rescue Service to provide both emotional and practical support to people affected by emergencies throughout Mid and West Wales. The Emergency Response team consists of highly trained volunteers who are available around the clock, 365 days a year.

For residents in the Newtown area, this partnership means that additional support will be available beyond the immediate fire and rescue response when emergencies strike locally. The Red Cross volunteers can assist at various types of incidents, including house fires, flooding, or major emergencies that might affect the community.

The volunteers arrive equipped with a specially adapted emergency vehicle stocked with essential items that people might need in crisis situations. These include clothing, blankets, and hygiene packs for those who may have lost possessions or been displaced from their homes.

Craig Flannery, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at MAWWFRS, explained the importance of the partnership: "We're proud to be working with the British Red Cross to further support the members of the communities we serve. This partnership will allow us to ensure that individuals affected by incidents have the resources and support they need to recover and rebuild."

He added that many incidents can have major and long-lasting effects on those involved, making the combined practical and emotional support invaluable.

Henry Barnes, British Red Cross Emergency Response Manager for Wales, emphasised the organisation's commitment to the region: "The British Red Cross stands ready to help the people of Mid and West Wales. We look forward to working alongside the Fire and Rescue Services to expand our support during emergencies, ensuring that support for people's practical and emotional needs is available whenever and wherever emergencies strike."

The initiative demonstrates how local emergency services are working together to provide comprehensive support for communities during their most challenging moments, ensuring that when crisis hits areas like Newtown, help extends beyond the immediate emergency response to address the human impact of such events.