# Wildfire teams and kit for firefighters

> “Firefighters on the front line in England will be boosted by additional specialist wildfire teams and state of the art, wildfire-specific, light weight personal protective equipment, backed by up to £45million, meaning those who work tirelessly to protect others can stay also safe.”
>
> — HM Government; Press release (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Defence and Prime Minister's Office), 22 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Police, courts, prisons](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/police-courts-and-prisons)
- **Speaker:** [HM Government](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/hm-government)
- **Made on:** 22 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Defence and Prime Minister's Office)
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Firefighters in England
- **When:** Not stated
- **Paid for by:** Up to £45 million
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-planes-and-helicopters-to-fight-wildfires-from-the-sky (checked word for word at its source on 25 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 25 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-wildfire-teams-kit-2026

## Where it stands

Announced ahead of the Prime Minister's wildfire summit, with RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft to be fitted to fight fires. The release says the new kit will be lighter and more breathable than kit designed for building fires. It does not say how many teams, when they start or over what period the money is spent. The card moves when the teams are set up or the kit is issued.

## Timeline

- 22 October 2026, Promised: The government announces specialist wildfire teams and wildfire protective equipment for firefighters in England, backed by up to £45 million

## About the cost

Up to £45 million, with no period given, so no yearly figure is shown.

## Sources

- [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Defence and Prime Minister's Office press release, 22 Oct 2026: Military planes and helicopters to fight wildfires from the sky](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-planes-and-helicopters-to-fight-wildfires-from-the-sky)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 25 October 2026.

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