Boost to fire service response to wildfires as government reveals new kit and specialist training

The government has announced the deployment of new kit and specialist training for firefighters in England as wildfire season takes hold and temperatures rise this week.

Backed by part of a £97m investment in wider national resilience assets, the specialist wildfire teams will be deployed by the end of the month and be located strategically and hosted by fire and rescue services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales.

The teams have undergone intense training including the latest strategies like tactical burning, and have travelled to South Africa and Poland to learn from the international community. They will use dedicated off-road vehicles that can work in the harsh environment of wildfires.

Speaking about the boost to resilience, Fire Minister Samantha Dixon, referred to the investment in national resilience after 9/11. The New Dimension Programme saw a £200m investment in capability for the fire and rescue service including high volume pumps, USAR equipment and mass decontamination facilities.

“The significant cash boost will ensure the dedication of our fire and rescue services is matched with the most up-to-date assets, funding a huge overhaul of existing vehicles and equipment. 

“This will crucially strengthen the country’s national response to the largest and most complex of incidents, from flash flooding to raging wildfires and collapsed structures.”

Samantha Dixon, Fire Minister.

The government says that the overall specialist capabilities were used over 1,000 times in 2025 alone to tackle a diverse range of incidents, with devastating wildfires identified as a growing demand on the service.   

Be sure to visit The Emergency Services Show where National Resilience lead, Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle will speak on stage with West Yorkshire chief, John Roberts, about the deployment of these and other new assets as part of the update of New Dimension equipment. Registration is now open: sign up here.