Firefighters fear their ability to rescue people caught up in Norfolk's increasingly prevalent floods is at risk because of a lack of money.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service gets just £60,000 a year from the government for water rescue and flood response, but firefighters are being pressed into action more than ever.

Firefighters launch a rescue boat on the River YareFirefighters launch a rescue boat on the River Yare (Image: Newsquest)

The service has dealt with more than 180 water incidents so far this year, including 76 linked to flooding.

And December is approaching, a month when Norfolk has often been hit by flooding and when firefighters tend to see a surge in calls to rescue and assist people.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue flood and water rescue incidents by monthNorfolk Fire and Rescue flood and water rescue incidents by month (Image: Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Because Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is not the lead agency for water rescue and, unlike in Wales, it is not a statutory duty, the government awards little money to fire services for water rescue.

Norfolk chief fire officer Ceri SumnerNorfolk chief fire officer Ceri Sumner (Image: Norfolk County Council)

That worries Ceri Sumner, Norfolk's chief fire officer; particularly at a time when Norfolk County Council, which runs the fire service, is considering a further £45m of cuts and savings.

Ms Sumner said: "We do not receive the full funding from government that we should do.

"I have been with the leader and other senior members of the council to speak to MPs about this and to lobby on this.

"It is something that is on the radar nationally as we see more water events - both coastal inundation and inland flooding.

"We have seen some issues with some of our roads, with fords, as well as flooding in domestic properties.

"That is making a significant amount of work for us and ensuring all of our staff have the right PPE (personal protection equipment) is going to be a challenge going forward."

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service only gets £60,000 a year specifically for water rescuesNorfolk Fire and Rescue Service only gets £60,000 a year specifically for water rescues (Image: Owen Sennitt)

READ MORE: Norfolk fords closed after death of driver at Shotesham

The fire service has three swift water rescue boats and several rafts it uses in water rescues.

Other specialist equipment includes a drone for water incidents, underwater camera and pole systems to search under the surface, and high volume pumps to remove floodwater.

Paul Seaman, Norfolk Fire and Rescue service's area manager for operational response, said: "The only specific funding Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service currently receives for water rescue and flood response is about £60,000 a year, which was based on an original DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) grant.

"We need this figure to be considerably higher, to make a substantial investment in broadening our capability and response.

"We are currently carrying out a wholescale review of risk and requirements, which will shape the funding needed for water rescue and flood response."

The National Fire Chiefs Council has urged the government to look into giving fire services the statutory responsibility for water rescue - and appropriate funding.

Mr Seaman said: "While the existing situation does put pressure on our budget, the public can be reassured we will always respond to all situations where a life is at risk."

The issues were discussed at a recent meeting of Norfolk County Council's scrutiny committee, where councillors agreed to lobby for extra cash.

County councillor Brian LongCounty councillor Brian Long (Image: Archant 2018)

Brian Long, Conservative county councillor for Fincham, said: "It's not a statutory duty, but I think most folk would probably look to the fire and rescue service in the event of a flood rather than to the police.

"The government ought to acknowledge that and fund it."

Mark Kiddle-Morris, Norfolk county councillorMark Kiddle-Morris, Norfolk county councillor (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

Mark Kiddle-Morris, Conservative county councillor for Necton and Launditch, agreed.

He said: "We don't have a police and rescue service, we have a fire and rescue service, so I think that's the way to go."