Consultations

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Fire and Rescue Service Consultation – Model for Change Strategic Project

The Isle of Wight Council is investing millions of pounds over the next few years to improve the Island's Fire and Rescue Service.

The way we live, work and play has been changing over recent years and this has led to a review of the risk of fire and other life–threatening incidents on the Island and the service’s ability to respond appropriately.

With the emphasis now on prevention and protection resulting in fewer fires, and an increased need to be prepared for larger events – not only locally but as part of the national resilience team – it is critical that the workforce is fully trained and available in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.

The current Fire and Rescue Service’ infrastructure on the Isle of Wight was designed to meet standards imposed nationally, going back to 1947, based solely on property risks and taking no account of the people that live, work or visit those premises.

Since the new Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 responsibility has passed to individual Fire and Rescue Services to assess their local risk based on the needs and life-style of the people within the communities in which they serve.

Through the years some modifications have been made to accommodate changing circumstances but these have been ‘piecemeal and reactive’ rather than based on a planned strategy.

The main aims of the project are to:

• Increase the number of full-time staff so that more time can be spent on Community Safety prevention and protection initiatives in those areas that are currently at higher risk – this can be due to their geographical location, record of higher number of incidents, building structures etc.
• Increase the number of full-time firefighters to provide a ‘nucleus’ to cover any shortfalls in availability of crews around the Island both day and night.
• Extra crews can ensure additional numbers of special rescue appliances to increase our response at road traffic collisions – currently the highest risk of life on the Island.
• Build new fire stations where they are most needed, with modern facilities that are fit for purpose for our staff and can be used as a targeted community resource

A series of public consultation meetings were recently held in venues across the Island.  The Chief Fire Officer and his management team attended these meetings to explain in greater detail the Model for Change Project Presentation.  Members of the public were able to air their views and ask questions relating to the plan.  A selection of the Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

More background information can be found at Cabinet Paper

We welcome your views, so if you would like to comment on the Model for Change Strategic Project, please feel free to email us at fire.service@iow.gov.uk