Thursday 13th February 2014

Following a comprehensive 12 week consultation - and subsequent evaluation - Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) today presented a series of proposals in relation to the "Transforming Service Delivery - Fit to Respond in 2022 and Beyond" project to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority, at its first meeting of the year.

From the 1st October until the 23rd December 2013, through a range of consultation activities, DFRS sought views from stakeholders on 14 proposals that would form a new emergency response model for Derbyshire.

832 members of the public, 87 employees of DFRS and 31 organisations responded by completing the online consultation survey. In addition to the online returns, 86 letters were received from MPs, members of the public, partner organisations and third sector groups.

In a paper presented at today's Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority meeting, Members were asked to consider and note the responses and alternative proposals suggested by consultees and subsequently voted to approve the key principles (below).

The Authority's key principles in determining its strategy for future service delivery are:

• That no change is not an option and the Authority will continue to act decisively to ensure that the communities of Derbyshire receive the best possible service using the resources available.
  
  
• To ensure that the Service's resources are matched to the level of risk and that they provide value for money.
  
  
• To continue to take account of the consultation feedback in the formulation of future plans and to consider the possible impact of its decisions and ways to avoid that impact.
  
  
• To adopt a staged approach for implementation of plans to 2022, with a priority on the protection of current employees and implementation of plans for joint Fire and Rescue and Police Headquarters. The Authority accepts that it may be appropriate to further engage with employees, the public and key stakeholders in different ways at different stages and will have regard to this when developing its plans.
  
  
• To ensure that pre-emptive action is taken to mitigate undue pressure on reserves.

Outcome Proposals

Taking account of the consultation feedback, it is recommended that the Authority's plans for future service delivery are:

• Set up a working group to monitor the implementation of the 'Transforming Service Delivery Fit to Respond to 2022 and Beyond' proposals.
  
  
• To reduce the requirements for the number of existing uniformed and support roles (the Establishment) and manage the reduction in a sensitive manner to avoid compulsory redundancies over the next 2 years preventing the closure of stations. This will primarily be through a review of staffing arrangements and vacancy control on the retirement and natural turnover of employees (both uniformed and support roles) and to meet future financial constraints.
  
  
• To maintain the recently built Stations and to look at Station closures as a last resort, subject to the financial position the Authority faces on Central Government's financial settlements.
  
  
• To apply the Authority's financial reserves to fund 'Invest to Save' projects and support Establishment costs as the number of roles reduces.
  
  
• To continue discussions with neighbouring fire and rescue services on the provision of 'over the border' services to Derbyshire before making any decision on the closure of Stations close to the border.
  
  
• To support the introduction of Smaller Response Vehicles (SRVs) as a more appropriate response to risk.
  
  
• To continue discussions with other organisations to explore opportunities in respect of maximising use of assets in its property portfolio.
  
  
• To develop opportunities for more effective working through shared services.
  
  
• To continue to explore opportunities to maximise income for the Service.
  
  
• To reduce mobilisations to non-emergency incidents.
  
  
• To continue to invest in prevention and protection activities such as, risk based Home Fire Safety Checks, the 'Think Sprinkler' campaign and the introduction of Operational Community Safety Officers (OCSOs).
  
  
• To continue to challenge all areas across the Service to ensure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in provision.

Speaking following today's meeting, Chair of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority, Roland Hosker said: "A comprehensive consultation with stakeholders highlighted the depth of feeling and community spirit that is present both in the city and wider county of Derbyshire.

"With continued cuts to the budget, the Authority has listened to the voices of its communities and will balance those with proposals that will deliver the savings the Service needs to realise in order to provide an effective emergency response service that Derbyshire can be proud of.

The Authority has today agreed proposals that will not only match the level of service provision to risk, but will also work to drive down that risk through prevention and protection activities.

Sadly, no change is not an option; however the Authority has agreed to look at station closures only as a last resort."

More information regarding the agreed proposals and minutes of the Fire & Rescue Authority meeting will be available on the website at www.derbys-fire.gov.uk in due course.

Local MP Natascha Engel, who had several of the threatened stations in her constituency of North East Derbyshire, said that the decision was the right one, and paid tribute to those who had taken part on the consultation, saying, "The announcement today that there will be no fire station closures across Derbyshire is welcome news, particularly for residents in Dronfield, Staveley and Chesterfield.



"The three stations had been earmarked for closure as part of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service proposals to save money, but local residents were determined to meet the challenge and fight to keep the stations open. After several months of hard work campaigning, petitioning and making their views known through the Fire Authority Consultation, people power won the day.

"Derbyshire's Labour Fire Authority rejected the plans and told Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service to look elsewhere for savings.

"I am delighted at this news. It comes at the end of many months of campaigning. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to keep our much-needed fire stations open. It shows what we can achieve when everyone pulls together."

RECENT STORIES

DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE RELEASE STATEMENT ON FATAL FIRE -
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has released a statement regarding the house fire in Riddings, which saw two people lose their lives. More...

INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE AS THREE DIE IN HOUSE FIRE IN LANGLEY MILL -
Investigations are continuing into a blaze at a house In Langley Mill yesterday morning, which saw three people lose their lives. More...

CFO/CE SEAN FRAYNE TO RETIRE FROM DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE -
Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Sean Frayne has been offered the opportunity to retire from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. More...

FOUR FURTHER DAYS OF FIRE BRIGADE UNION STRIKE ACTION ANNOUNCED -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has received official notification that members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will participate in four continuous days of strike action More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE TO RECRUIT RESERVE FIREFIGHTERS -
In 2013, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) balloted its members regarding industrial action in respect of an on-going dispute with the Government on Pension Reform. More...

HOARDING AWARENESS WEEK - THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF HOARDING -
Compulsive hoarding is a debilitating psychological condition that can lead to issues regarding the health, wellbeing and fire safety of all occupants of a hoarding property More...

FIRE BRIGADE UNION (FBU) ANNOUNCE THREE FURTHER STRIKE DATES -
Following the result of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) national ballot for strike action in 2013, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has received notification that FBU members will take further strike action More...

DERBYSHIRE'S CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, SEAN FRAYNE IS CHARGED WITH RAPE -
It's been revealed this morning that Derbyshire's Chief Fire Officer, Sean Frayne, 47, has been charged with rape. More...

DERBYSHIRE FRS ASSISTING OTHER COUNTIES WITH FLOODS -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has said tonight that it is currently involved in providing on-going support to areas of the country currently affected by severe flooding. More...

FIRE BRIGADE UNION ANNOUNCE THREE NEW STRIKE DATES OVER XMAS -
Following the result of the FBU's national ballot for strike action, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has received notification that FBU members will take further strike action More...

FIRE BRIGADE UNION ANNOUNCES FURTHER STRIKE ACTION -
Following the result of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) national ballot for strike action, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has received notification that FBU members will take further strike action More...

FAULTY WIRING IS BLAMED FOR FATAL NORTH WINGFIELD HOUSE FIRE -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Derbyshire Police have released its findings into the cause of last weeks Fatal North Wingfield house fire. More...

FOUR CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER HOUSE FIRE IN NORTH WINGFIELD -
Police can confirm four people have died in a house fire on Williamthorpe Road, North Wingfield. More...

HOUSE FIRE IN NORTH WINGFIELD -
Police and emergency services are on the scene of a house fire at North Wingfield this morning.
More...

FIRE BRIGADE UNION ANNOUNCE FURTHER STRIKE ACTION
TODAY -
A reminder that further industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will take place today (Wed 13th Nov) from 10am until 2pm. More...

INVESTIGATION INTO FIRE AT LOCAL RESIDENTIAL HOME COMPLETE -
At 12:13am on Sunday 13th October 2013, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to attend the report of a fire and explosion at Brookholme Croft residential nursing home in Chesterfield. More...

FBU CANCELS SATURDAYS PLANNED STRIKE ACTION BY FIRE SERVICE -
DFRS has this afternoon received notification from the Fire Brigades Union that the national industrial action scheduled to take place on Saturday, 19th October has been cancelled. More...

LOCAL RESIDENTS URGED TO TAKE CARE DURING FIRE SERVICE STRIKE ACTION -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service are taking part in a period of national industrial action on Saturday 19th October from 6:30pm to 11:30pm and urge people to take care during that time More...

FURTHER STRIKE ACTION ANNOUNCED BY DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has received notification that FBU members will take further strike action on Saturday, 19th October 2013, from 18:30 to 23:30 More & Audio...

TAKE EXTRA CARE ON THE ROADS DURING PERIODS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION -
With strike action due to begin today, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is urging members of the public to take extra care during periods of industrial action. More...

DON'T MAKE UNNECESSARY 999 CALLS AS FIRE SERVICE STRIKE LOOMS -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is urging members of the public not to make unnecessary 999 calls - particularly during periods of industrial action. More...

DFRS RECRUITING RESERVE FIRE CREW -
Local Fire Crew bosses have initiated contingency plans to recruit reserve fire crews who would serve in the advent of strike action. More...

WARNING OVER MOORLAND FIRES IN THE PEAK DISTRICT -
People are being urged to help prevent the risk of moorland fires in the Peak District National Park after some of the hottest July days on record. More...

FIRE CREWS PRAISED BY FIRE CHIEFS AFTER SHEFFIELD BLAZE -
An upate has been issued by South Yorks Fire Service after the large plastics firm blaze in Sheffield this afternoon, praising crews from Derbyshire and elsewhere More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE SERVICE STATEMENT: FIRE AT STONE LANE, NEW WHITTINGTON -
We have received a statement tonight from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service on Tuesday's fire at Stone Lane in New Whittington More...

LIFE CARRIES ON IN NEW WHITTINGTON AFTER BLAZE DRAMA -
New Whittington is slowly returning to normal tonight after police have confirmed that the fire at Stone Lane is out, and the roads around it have all reopened More...

SIGNIFICANT FIRE INCIDENT AT STONE LANE, NEW WHITTINGTON -
Fire crews are at the scene of what's being described as a 'significant fire incident' on Stone Lane New Whittington. More...

ONGOING INCIDENT AT SCA HYGIENE CHESTERFIELD -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue is still in attendance at a fire involving 800 tonnes of waste paper stored in the yard of SCA Hygiene, Goyt Side Road, Chesterfield More...

MAJOR FIRE IN CHESTERFIELD. FIRE SERVICE UPDATE -
Following our reports earlier today, Derbyshire Fire Service has now released an update - At 12.38, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to attend a fire at SCA Hygiene, Goyt Side Road, Chesterfield More...

THE VICTORY ROAD FIRE - DERBYSHIRE SERVICES SPEAK
OUT -
Three people convicted of the manslaughter of 6 children in a house fire in Derby in May last year, have been sentenced. More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE MAKE EVERY CONTACT COUNT -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is supporting health and care organisations across Derbyshire as part of the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) initiative. More...

BE SAFE OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is launching a campaign to remind Derbyshire residents to keep safe during Christmas and New Year. More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE WARN HOAX CALLS CAN KILL -
A reminder that hoax fire calls divert fire engines away from potential life-threatening situations where urgent help is needed. This could mean the difference between life and death More...

BONFIRE NIGHT - ADVICE AND WHERE TO SEE A DISPLAY IN CHESTERFIELD -
Bonfire Night is almost upon us and whilst bonfires and fireworks can be fun they can also be dangerous and even lethal. More...

FIRE CADETS FIRST IN DERBYSHIRE TO RECEIVE BTEC LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE -
Five Fire Cadets aged
15-17, are the first in Derbyshire to have successfully completed the Level 2 BTEC Certificate in Fire and Rescue Services in the Community More...

UPDATE ON ONGOING INCIDENT AT LOWS LANE, STANTON-BY-DALE -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service says that all roads are now open, but it continues to have a presence at a fire which started at a recycling facility on Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale last Saturday More...

FIRE AT LOWS LANE, STANTON-BY-DALE -
We reported on Sunday on a severe fire near the M1, J25 and J26 and today, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service have told us that they continue to work to fight the blaze More...

MAJOR FIRE AT RECYCLING FACILITY IN DERBYSHIRE -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is currently in attendance at a large fire at a recycling facility on Lows Lane, Stanton-by-Dale, Derbyshire. More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES' AWARDS CEREMONY -
On Thursday 6th September, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service held its annual awards ceremony at Pride Park Stadium, Derby. More...

WARNING AFTER RECALLED BEKO FRIDGE FIRE -
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued a reminder that certain fridge freezers made by BEKO have been recalled after they attended a house fire which had been caused by the type identified. More...

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHESTERFIELD FIREFIGHTER -
The Chesterfield Post met with Firefighter Deborah Dixon to find out just what life was like being a firefighter in the Chesterfield area. More...

DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE ONE OF THE BEST! -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has been awarded 'Excellence' - the highest level of achievement More...

"WE FEARED THE WORST" DERBYSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE -
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has this morning confirmed that the fire at Mitchell Way, New Whittington is not being treated as suspicious. More...

NEW WHITTINGTON HOUSE FIRE UPDATE -
Fire Investigations continue this morning into a blaze at a house in New Whittington. More...

ICE IS NOT NICE! FIRE OFFICER WARNS OF FROZEN DANGERS -
For one group of emergency personnel, the recent icy cold weather was a blessing in disguise. More...

THINK SPRINKLER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY DERBYSHIRE FIRE SERVICE -
A seminar to highlight the benefits of having sprinklers fitted in domestic dwellings was held at the Old fire Station Sheffield Road, and the b2net More...

FIRESERVICE ADVICE ON KEEPING SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is launching a campaign to remind local residents to keep safe at Christmas. More...

'FATAL ACCIDENT' ON INFIRMARY ROAD -
3 young people, including a motorcyclist, were killed in the grim weather conditions, outside Chesterfield College this morning. More...

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER SPEAKS TO THE CHESTERFIELD POST -
Bob Currie is the Group Manager of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and he was present at the incident the whole time. More...

FIRE - "IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE" -
The Chesterfield Post has just left a press conference with Sarah Turner-Saint, (left) Head of Communications More...

HOSPITAL FIRE UPDATE -
Chesterfield Royal Hospital is this morning assessing damage to it's A&E, Fracture Clinic and Main Entrance after fire ripped through the departments last night. More...

HOSPITAL FIRE STATEMENT -
This is the statement issued by Chesterfield Royal Hospital at 23.36 pm tonight: More...

MAJOR FIRE AT CALOW HOSPITAL TONIGHT -
There is a major incident at Chesterfield Royal Hospital tonight with 10 fire engines in attendance. More...

NUISANCE FIRES IN MASTIN MOOR -
Police are appealing for information after Derbyshire Fire service was called to a burning cabin on Worksop Road More...

NO SMOKE AT CHESTERFIELD'S FIRE STATION -
Over a hundred people attended Chesterfield's fire station ahead of today's 'Stop Smoking Day' to take part in fun activities and learn about the dangers of smoking and how to quit. More...

FIRE KILLS... -
After 4 young children lost their lives in a tragic house fire in Derbyshire earlier this week, the Derbyshire Fire Service has issued safety advice to residents in the area. More...

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY TIPS -
DERBYSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service has given us some advice to help with driving in the hazardous snowy and icy conditions. More...

SNOW WARNING FOR BOILER FLUES -
DERBYSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service is warning people to make sure the flues of their gas boilers are kept clear of snow More...

STAY SAFE IN THE SNOW -
WITH snow covering Chesterfield, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service are urging people to take extra care both in the home and when they are out and about. More...