Ian
Its very hard for independants to pick up fire and flood work now. It can be done but what you have to bear in mind is if you are offering the service, you have to be prepared to turn out when they ask.
You can advertise the service and maybe pick up the odd job when theres flooding about but sods law it will be when you are up to your neck in carpet cleaning. Floods are relatively easy to cope with, although you will need a little training and some kit.
Fires are a completely different ball game. To be honest unless you were doing it full time I would spar wide of them, I try to and I've been doing it 10 years. They are just not worth the hassle.
Give me a ring sometime if you want any further info.
Cheers