We intend to implement a plan to improve the distribution of our network of stations and fire engines to better reflect risk and demands in the 21st century.
Paul Fuller
FIRE stations and fire engines in Warwickshire could be relocated as part of plans to cope with the demands of the 21st century.
To respond to what is a changing environment, Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service has unveiled its Improvement Plan for a fitter, stronger fire and rescue service.
There have been huge shifts in housing, industry and transport, since many fire stations were located over 50 years ago, which means that they are no longer in the right place to respond to the needs of Warwickshire’s changing communities.
A staggering amount of false alarm calls are also made every year which puts a real pressure on the fire prevention and education work that the service has a statutory duty to provide. The plan proposes tackling false alarms by using a new ‘Call Challenge’ procedure, which has been successfully introduced in Oxfordshire and invest that time saved in more fire prevention work. Flooding is another issue that has, in recent years, plagued us in Warwickshire and an area where our crews need to be better equipped through specialist training and new equipment.
Paul Fuller, Warwickshire’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “We intend to implement a plan to improve the distribution of our network of stations and fire engines to better reflect risk and demands in the 21st century.
“Some of our stations are very well placed to meet demand and provide support to neighbouring stations, whilst others may not be in the best location for a number of reasons.”
He continues: “We will need to relocate a number of our fire engines to match existing and predicted patterns of demand, as well as improving availability, increasing firefighter training and community fire safety activity.
Warwickshire Fire Service currently runs 19 fire stations, 12 of which are retained. Although the fire appliances are available they can’t always be used due to insufficient crewing, as it is more difficult to recruit retained firefighters, due to the number of hours they are required to commit in addition to their day job. This is also why some stations are closed for around one-third of the time at the most needed time of the day.
Although it praises much of Warwickshire’s good work, The Audit Commission has continued to be critical of its lack of speed in the national drive for “modernisation”. The Commission said “FRS has been in a transition phase for too long and this has impacted on the pace of organisational change. It needs to move forward more proactively and deliver better value for money through more efficient and effective service delivery and use of resources.”
Warwickshire has made many improvements over the years but none that have fundamentally looked at re-shaping the service, which means it must redirect resources from a post-war set up to one that makes it fit for 2010 and beyond.
Talking about the proposals, Paul states: “We are proposing making Alcester a much stronger base with 25 wholetime firefighters where there were none before and increasing the number of retained firefighters from nine to 10.5 fte (full time equivalent).
“We are also proposing more firefighters at Leamington and Nuneaton. By making these changes we have to look at how we can best provide the service to the communities to cover the needs they have.
“We intend to create a whole new fifth watch that can be deployed to attend road traffic accidents and small fires, both of which are growing areas of work.
“This does mean that we have proposed seven retained fire stations will no longer be required for operational response, but could be used for community use for groups such as the young firefighters association.”
The Chief acknowledges that the improvement plan will have to face difficult decisions and he says “We will need to be prepared to face those difficulties and to work closely with the public, our staff and their representatives in bringing about some of the most sweeping changes seen in over thirty years to provide a Fire Service that meets the needs of modern society.”
Councillor Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection, added: “There is much evidence of excellence within the Fire Service, but every organisation needs to develop and change to meet the needs of a new society. We support the Fire Chief’s professional judgement and these proposals will be open to full public consultation for local people to have their say.
"We understand there will be local fears. Through local consultation we want to work with communities to find the best solutions for their localities."