24/02/04 - Cabinet discusss the Implications of a Regional Fire Control Room for Cumbria

Today at a meeting of Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet, Members commented on the Government’s draft Fire & Rescue National Framework.

The National Framework sets out the Government’s thinking and direction for the future of Fire and Rescue Services in the UK.  National and Regional strategies are considered the way forward for certain major issues such as the plans to combat the effects of terrorism.  One of the service functions the ODPM have put forward which forms a key element of their reform programme is to replace the current network of local Brigade Fire Control Rooms with a regional network of control rooms. This will see one regional Fire Control Room for the North West of England.

County Councillor Jack Richardson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety says

“Cumbria already has a modern fire service doing much of what the Government is asking fire services across the country to develop.  The service we provide is one that is proactive in preventing fires and is well managed and effective.  I am not convinced that the introduction of regional control rooms is in the interest of this area.  Cumbria is the biggest rural area in the North West and relies mainly on our retained service to provide its fire and emergency cover.  It is possible that amalgamation with a number of larger brigades, which are ‘full time’, may result in a rationalisation of cover in Cumbria leading to the loss of smaller stations.  A remote control centre may not provide the same level of response that we currently have.    

Setting up regional control rooms will also be very expensive.  It must be secure and have the latest technology installed.  Over the next few months location and design will be looked at.  Clear guidelines have not yet been given by the Government on the project, but it is likely that the cost could be in the region of several million pounds.  Cumbria would obviously have to contribute to this cost.”  

Government expects control regionalisation to be in place by 2007.  In the meantime some investment into current control room facilities is required in order to ensure they operate effectively until regional control is in place.