Operational Resource Disposition
Benefits
The purpose of these proposals is to provide the most effective, efficient use of the Service’s resource and in doing so ensure best value to the tax payer. The benefits outlined here will add value to the organisation and improve the level of service we can deliver. This will be achieved by reallocating unnecessary/underused resources from one area and reinvesting in another, critical identified area of need.
The following list details the specific benefits which will be realised:
Smoke Alarms:
The Service has given a commitment to provide free smoke alarms to all those households without one within the Humberside area. Central government funding for smoke alarms has recently been withdrawn as a result the authority has to now fund any such initiative independently. Prevention is rightly now the main focus of all Fire and Rescue Services, the results of which can be demonstrated in the immense reductions in fatalities as a result of dwelling fires. Smoke Alarms save lives; the continued provision is seen as critical and will ultimately ensure our communities are safer places to live.
Water Rescue:
The Service regularly attends incidents involving water. This ranges from rescuing individuals in and around ponds, docks etc. to large scale evacuations and rescues during times of flooding. The current provision of training and equipment to deal with this risk is severely limited; however this is an area where the public rightly expect a professional response. It is our belief that Firefighters involved with incidents of this nature should be adequately equipped, trained and protected. To this end it is fitting that significant investment is made in this area with the provision of critical front line equipment and specialist water rescue teams. The ability of the Service to provide an appropriate level of service to meet the known risk will ensure the safety of our firefighters and undoubtedly aid in the saving of both life and property in times of need.
Road Traffic Collisions:
Since 2004 the Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty to provide a response to road traffic collisions. This is area of growth for every such service. Many more people die on the roads than in dwelling fires, annually 3,500 people are fatally injured on the roads and a further 35,000 are seriously injured. With the advancement in technology, the occupants of a vehicle are more likely to survive the initial impact however this also results in more complex extrication scenarios due to the nature of the materials used. To meet this need the Service must procure additional equipment to enhance the current level of provision. The ability to efficiently and effectively release casualties in the quickest time possible will greatly increase their chance of survival.
In addition to the intervention at road traffic collisions the service is also committed to preventative activities and it is our intention to expand in this area. We will commit to providing dedicated officers to work with our partners to educate, enforce and engineer improved road safety solutions. This again is a life saving activity aimed at making our community safer.
Youth Engagement:
In keeping with the Services high level of commitment to safety within the community we will expand in the area of youth education. The Service currently operates a very successful youth training program which will be expanded to provide the same level of service within each unitary authority’s area. The programmes allow participants to achieve both educational and vocational outcomes in addition to having a positive effect on the levels anti social behaviour prevalent within our communities. This reduction will make our communities safer places and therefore aid in improving the lives of local people.
Multi Agency Services:
In the promotion of partnership working it is the intention of the Service to pursue the efficient, effective use of community resources. In this regard we are talking with our partners with a view to providing opportunities for multi agency working in those areas directly affected by the proposals. These include organisations such as the Police, Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts etc. Certainly fire stations will be used as a base for community safety activities in keeping with the Services commitment to prevention, therefore reducing the need for intervention.
More Information
The links to the right allow anyone to read the document and contribute to the related survey. Additionally each link below is to a page containing further information about the proposals.
The Benefits of the proposals.
Information about the background and research of the proposals.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers.
More information is available in this series of PDF presentations about the Operational Resource Disposition proposal for each location.
Click here to go back to the Operational Resource Disposition homepage.