NORTH-East firefighters are being equipped to tackle flooding incidents throughout the UK with the launch of a new water rescue unit.

The support vehicle houses an inflatable boat, ten and five-person rescue sleds, two inflatable walkways, decontamination spray units and first aid kits.

The unit is based at Thornaby Fire Station and can support Cleveland Fire Brigade’s rescue craft permanently moored at the Tees Barrage to provide rapid response to reports of incidents on the river, both upstream and downstream.

Alan Brown, the Brigade’s flood tactical advisor, said: “The unit is equipped to deal with any type of flooding event.

“It can be utilised to rescue people from homes in flooded streets and communities, bring in supplies and support other emergency services in all aspects of water rescue as seen in recent years in Cleveland and across the country in York, Cumbria, Somerset and Berkshire.

“Crews are equipped to assist in rescues from both ice and mud and it has already been operational in recent rescues on the River Tees.”