Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has welcomed the opportunity to contribute to national discussions on climate resilience following a summer that saw unprecedented wildfire activity across Wales.
On Thursday 22 October, Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery represented the Service at the Wales Climate Change and Resilience Summit, convened by Welsh Government.
The summit brought together organisations from across Wales to reflect on lessons learned from recent wildfire incidents and consider how partnership working, preparedness and collective action can help communities and public services respond to future challenges.
Speaking following the event, Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery said:
"The unprecedented wildfires experienced across Wales this summer demonstrate how the risks facing our communities are changing. The impacts of climate change are no longer something we can consider in the future. They are happening now, affecting our communities, our environment and the demands placed on emergency services and public bodies across Wales.
Protecting our communities, our people and our environment requires a whole-system approach. No single organisation can meet these challenges alone. Building resilience for the future will depend on strong partnership working, shared learning and a collective commitment to preparing for and responding to emerging risks.
I was pleased to represent MAWWFRS at the Climate Change and Resilience Summit and support Welsh Government's leadership in bringing organisations together to focus on this vital agenda. The summit provided an important opportunity to identify learning, share experiences, strengthen collaboration and consider how we can collectively enhance resilience across Wales.
The experiences of this summer should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. They reinforce the need not only to understand how risks are evolving, but also to ensure we are prepared for the challenges that autumn and winter may bring. Resilience cannot be delivered by any one organisation alone. It requires public services across Wales to work together, plan together and act together. By doing so, we can better protect our communities, our people and our environment, both today and for future generations."
The Service's contribution to the summit was informed by the experiences of firefighters, Joint Fire Control personnel, support staff and partner organisations who worked throughout the summer to protect communities, property and the natural environment during periods of significant wildfire activity.
As part of its commitment to keeping communities safe, MAWWFRS continues to work closely with partners across Wales to strengthen preparedness, share learning from major incidents and enhance resilience to a range of emerging risks, including extreme weather events.
The Service remains committed to playing its part in supporting a collaborative, Wales-wide approach to resilience, ensuring communities are better prepared for the challenges of today and the future.