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Have your say and help shape your fire and rescue service

Norfolk people are being invited to find out more about Norfolk County Council's fire and rescue service and help shape its future plans.

Norfolk Fire Authority's draft Safety Plan (formerly known as our Integrated Risk Management Plan) has been approved by councillors and a wide-ranging consultation is now underway to help shape the final plan.

The public, along with fire and rescue service staff, staff representatives and key stakeholders, now have the chance to give their views and help shape our agenda.

Central to the consultation is a questionnaire which is available from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (consultations@fire.norfolk.gov.uk or 01603 810351) or can be found and completed on-line here.

Our priorities are:

• Improve the safety of older people in their homes
• Increase the number of working smoke detectors in domestic dwellings
• Improve our systems for ensuring an effective response to incidents
• Ensure staff are fully trained and safe
• Provide services that are value for money
• Improve our understanding of what the community expects from the service

Among the projects proposed within in the plan are:
* Review our Arson Strategy and reduce the number of fires started deliberately.
* Find better ways to increase the number of homes in Norfolk with working smoke detectors.
* Continue with our project to build a new fire station at Carrow (Norwich) to replace Bethel Street Fire Station.
* Identify ways to improve our fire safety advice for young people.

Richard Rockcliffe, Cabinet Member for Fire and Community Protection, said: "Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service already provides a first class service to the people of Norfolk and this draft Safety Plan aims to ensure continuous improvement. To do that the service needs to reflect the needs of its communities which is why I urge people to take time to find out more and have their say on what is, after all, their fire and rescue service."

Richard Elliott, Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk, said: "We were delighted when a recent Government assessment confirmed Norfolk Fire and Rescue Authority as 'Good'.  Every year we develop a Safety Plan to help us build on actions from previous Safety Plans as we continually look to improve. This consultation gives you the chance to find out more about your fire and rescue service and help shape our future."

The consultation closes on August 31. The results will influence the final plan which will be made available on the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service website.