05/10/2026
We've significantly strengthened our ability to respond to water and flood-related emergencies through a series of investments in specialist vehicles, equipment and protective gear.
The enhancements will improve our capacity to respond quickly and effectively to incidents across South Yorkshire, while also supporting regional and national resilience arrangements.
Among the investments are two new inflatable rescue craft, costing £14,000 each, which can be transported easily and inflated at the scene of an incident. Their flexibility and rapid deployment will help firefighters respond more effectively to a range of water rescue situations.
We've also invested £14,000 in specialist rescue sleds for fire stations at Tankersley, Adwick, Dearne, Cudworth and Rivelin. Designed for use in still water environments, the sleds will support firefighters trained as water and flood first responders.
Further improvements include upgrades to personal protective equipment, making specialist water rescue kit easier to identify during incidents, and new PVC kit bags for crews at Aston Park and Edlington fire stations, following an earlier £58,000 investment in water rescue PPE at the two stations. Firefighters’ new thermal water rescue jackets represent an £11,000 investment.
The largest investment though is the conversion of two Mercedes Sprinter vehicles into specialist water rescue units, at a total cost of £194,000.
The purpose-built vehicles include dedicated changing facilities and equipment storage, enabling crews to operate more effectively at water-related incidents.
They will also support our role in providing nationally deployable water rescue capabilities when required.
