@ mopardave ... concur on the PPE and training. Our niece is a Special Rescue firefighter, based in Liverpool. Her team deployed to Carlisle at VERY short notice, but at least had all the appropriate kit and training. I have been sent a photo of her there, inside a house with water up to her chest, using an inflatable stretcher for rescue work.
Troops wading around in sewage in DPM isn't a pretty sight, but at least they provided some much-needed manpower.