Climate change placing unprecedented demand on emergency services warns Mayor as record-breaking hot weather continues

• The impact of climate change means London is now in the middle of 'unprecedented' fifth heatwave - with another Amber Heat Health Alert in place and forecasters predicting highs of 36C today – as wildfires and extreme temperatures continue to impact the UK and Europe.

• The Mayor is delivering record funding to ensure the London Fire Brigade is better equipped to safely fight wildfires - providing £8.9 million in additional funding this financial year. This investment is delivering wildfire response vehicles, drones, specialist hoses and backpack blowers to protect people, property and green spaces. 

• Firefighters are working around the clock, following one of their busiest July’s on record  with nearly 28,000 emergency calls and more than 13,000 incidents. On a single day last week, London Fire Brigade received over 1,000 emergency calls, including more than 200 calls to grass fires.

• The prolonged heatwaves are also putting pressure on London Ambulance Service, which has dealt with 25,000 more calls this summer than last, surpassing demand seen during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. If you are struggling in the heat, you can call NHS 111 to discuss your symptoms. Anyone who is experiencing a medical emergency should still call 999.

• The Mayor encourages Londoners to play their part in helping to prevent wildfires, be safe around open water and to remember that 999 is there for those in immediate danger or risk.

As London swelters in an 'unprecedented' fifth heatwave this summer - with forecasters predicting highs of 36C today - the Mayor of London is calling on all Londoners to do their bit to ease demand on emergency services.

The impacts of climate change continue to be felt in the capital, across the UK and Europe, with extreme temperatures and dangerous wildfires putting lives at risk. London’s once-green grasslands have been left tinderbox dry as a result of its third drought in the last five years, with the capital under another Amber Heat Health Alert,  hosepipe bans in place and grassfires now a daily reality.

The Mayor is delivering record funding to ensure the London Fire Brigade is better equipped to safely fight wildfires - providing £8.9 million in additional funding this financial year. This investment is delivering wildfire response vehicles, drones, specialist hoses and backpack blowers to protect people, property and green spaces.

Firefighters are working around the clock and continue to face extreme pressure in the capital. Last Wednesday 5^th August the London Fire Brigade Control Officers received over 1,000 emergency calls, including more than 200 calls to grass fires in one day. ^[1]

Long periods of hot, dry weather in the capital mean that it only takes a spark to cause a fire and whilst wildfires can start naturally, the majority of fires are started deliberately or accidentally by members of the public. Many of these wildfires have threatened homes, workplaces, infrastructure and the environment. These wildfires have had a severe impact on national rail services and led to evacuations and road closures. 

The London Fire Brigade received a record total of 27,580 emergency calls last month - more than the previous record in July 2022 of 24,573 calls. Firefighters attended 13,626 incidents In July, marking the busiest month for the service in four years and one of the busiest on record. 

The Mayor’s record investment in London Fire Brigade has ensured that it is now better prepared, organised and equipped to fight wildfires and keep all Londoners safe. This includes improved training, new specialist wildfire response vehicles and the use of drones, specialist hoses and backpack blowers designed to protect people, property and green spaces. These improvements are helping to ensure the Brigade is able to meet the surge in demand it is experiencing during successive heatwaves but all Londoners need to play their part in easing demand. 

The prolonged heat is also putting sustained pressure on the London Ambulance Service, which received more than 403,000 emergency calls in June and July, 25,000 more than the same period last year^[2]. 

During the June heatwave, London Ambulance Service received more than 53,000 emergency calls, surpassing demand seen during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Service deployed 600 additional ambulance crews across London to care for patients, including those with cardiac arrests and patients who had stopped breathing as well as those whose conditions became life-threatening in the heat. If you are struggling in the heat, you can go online for NHS heatwave health advice or call NHS 111 to discuss your symptoms. Anyone who is experiencing a medical emergency should still call 999.

As well as risk of wildfires, the prolonged hot weather is bringing further challenges with people getting into difficulty swimming in open water. Open-water swimming, is only encouraged in locations where it is safe and appropriate to do so. The Mayor has always been clear that many of London's waterways are not suitable for swimming. The tidal Thames, for example, has strong currents, cold water and heavy river traffic and is not a safe place to swim. Between May and July, firefighters attended 28 incidents involving rescues from waterways. Since 2020, there have been more than 100 accidental drownings in London, including two teenagers who tragically drowned this summer. That is why improving water-safety understanding is a key part of the Mayor's Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan, with a particular focus on young Londoners.

As the hot weather continues, the Mayor and partners are urging everyone:

1. To be extra careful and mindful of the potential dangers that open water presents.
2. To educate ourselves on the risks, help prevent fires and call 999 if you see a wildfire
3. Take the heat seriously, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. 
4. To look out for those who may be less able to cope in the heat, including young children, babies and toddlers, older people and those with a health condition

As our climate changes and Londoners experience more frequent heatwaves, the Mayor has developed the first heat plan for the capital, Heat Ready London – a new city-wide vision to help the capital adapt to increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves. It shows that around one million homes in London may currently be at high risk of overheating, and the Plan is a call to action for partners across the capital to work together on priority areas where change is most needed – protecting those at highest risk of extreme heat, retrofitting buildings, expanding access to cooling spaces and improving infrastructure resilience. ^[3]

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The climate crisis is on our doorstep right now and is having a devastating impact on our lives and the environment. The evidence is beneath our feet. All over London, once-green grasslands are burnt to a brittle crisp with record-breaking temperatures devastating our environment, creating dangerous wildfires and risking flash floods

“Our firefighters and ambulance crews are working around the clock and continue to face extreme pressure this week as London experiences it’s fifth heatwave of the summer. 

“We’ve been working with emergency services and other partners to ensure our city is ready to deal with extreme heat, wildfires and an increase in demand on vital services. But everyone needs to do their bit. This means looking after yourself and vulnerable friends and family, avoiding the potential dangers of open water, calling 999 if you see a wildfire, and following key advice from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service to stay safe in the heat.”

Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster said: “London has been experiencing an extremely hot and dry summer and our Control Officers and firefighters have been working exceptionally hard to keep Londoners safe, responding to thousands of emergency calls, including to grass fires, water rescues and other significant incidents across the capital.

 “Despite the additional demand on our crews, control officers and support staff, the Brigade has maintained emergency cover across the capital. Londoners should rest assured that we are ready and able to respond to emergencies across London.

“With the city in drought and temperatures rising, the chance of wildfires spreading rapidly is high and these fires can have devastating impacts on homes and livelihoods. We urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces or on balconies, including disposable barbecues, to throw rubbish away, and to dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently starting a fire.

“Many students will receive exam results today and may be tempted to cool off by jumping into waterways, but we are urging parents and guardians to make sure young people know how to stay safe around water. Despite its calm surface, open water can have strong currents and hidden debris, which could prove fatal. Only swim outdoors in designated areas with lifeguards and safety equipment present.”

 Dr Yimmy Chow, London regional deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "With an Amber Heat-Health Alert in place, we encourage Londoners to continue to take sensible precautions to protect themselves and others during the next period of hot weather. Heat can affect anyone, but older people, young children, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of becoming seriously unwell.

"Simple actions can make a real difference, such as keeping out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, staying hydrated, keeping indoor spaces cool where possible, and checking in on friends, family members and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the heat.

"We are also reminding people to be aware of the health impacts of smoke from wildfires this summer. If you are near a fire and a smoke plume, reduce your exposure where possible and follow advice from local authorities and emergency services. 

“Anyone entering rivers, lakes or other open water should be aware that, even during hot weather, water temperatures can be dangerously cold and may trigger cold water shock, affecting breathing and the ability to stay afloat. By looking after ourselves and one another, we can help reduce the impact of hot weather on our communities and health services."

Director of Ambulance Operations Darren Farmer said: “Our crews and 999 call handlers have experienced a summer of sustained hot weather with some of the busiest days in London Ambulance Service’s history.  

“Temperatures are still high and when very hot can pose a risk to life. We are urging Londoners to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day. If you want to consume alcohol, please do so in moderation as it can be harder for the body to recover during high temperatures. 

“We remain very busy trying to get to those who need us, so please remember that 999 is there for those that are seriously ill, injured or their life is at risk.”

 RNLI Water Safety Education Manager, Kim Dugan said: “During this unprecedented hot weather, we understand more people are looking for ways to cool off. However, the RNLI discourages anyone from entering the Thames. The tide can rise and fall very quickly which creates strong currents. There are a lot of fixed structures in the river such as bridges and pontoons, which make currents worse as water moves around them. Even in summer, the water is very cold, cold enough to send someone into cold-water shock. Further dangers include submerged debris under the surface of the water, and the fact it is heavily trafficked by vessels.

 “We are also seeing an increase in visitors to the coast from urban areas, who have little understanding of the changeable coastal environment, and get into difficulty. If Londoners are travelling to the coast we would strongly advise them to always visit a lifeguarded beach and swim behind the red and yellow flags.

 “If anyone finds themselves in difficulty in the water, they can use the RNLI Float to Live technique: lie on your back with your ears just below the water (this will help your legs to float). Try to breathe slowly and to relax, gently moving your hands and legs to keep you afloat.”