SPECIALIST rescue services in Essex have been given a boost with a grant of almost £1million.

The Government has given Essex County Fire and Rescue Service the money as part of its New Dimensions programme, which supplies equipment and procedures to enhance the way fire services respond to certain incidents.

The programme was set up after the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001.

Essex has been given £929,143.

Gordon Hunter, deputy chief fire officer for service delivery, said: “The funding will enable a coordinated response to the type of major incident which would demand a response that would be too much for any one service.

“Essex is one of these fire and rescue services.

“We already have a specialist urban search and rescue station, based in Lexden, which came into operation in 2007.

“We also have, as part of the New Dimensions response, high volume pumping capability.

“All New Dimensions equipment is the best money can buy and our firefighters and officers who are trained to use this equipment have a range of specialist skills that are ready to meet any of the challenges they may be confronted with.”