FIREFIGHTERS are attending an increased number of flooding incidents but are not being funded for it, members of the Dorset Fire Authority were told.
Chief fire officer Darran Gunter told members that in 2012 his crews attended a total of 226 flooding incidents, compared to 126 in the previous year and 112 in 2010.
He added that they also carried out 51 rescues from water last year compared to just four in 2011.
However, Mr Gunter said that because attending flooding incidents was a non-statutory duty it did not receive any additional funding from government to carry out the work.
Members agreed that the Local Government Association should be lobbied about the issue.
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