Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Craig Parkin, Assistant Chief Fire Officer  presented the report which updates members on the progress to date in identifying savings and efficiencies through a collaborative approach with the Police and other emergency services.

The following points were highlighted and responses given to members’ questions:

(a)  a good relationship has been established between partners which has enabled beneficial progress to be made, including the procurement of welfare vehicles which are silver (not red), will be shared with Police and carry the emblems of both the Police and Fire and Rescue Service. This collaboration has saved approximately £70,000 with further opportunities identified;

(b)  opportunities have been made available to other emergency services to co-locate estates with NFRS , but not all have been acted upon. The Fire Authority has already approved the Collaboration Framework and the estates review of current property is ongoing and is anticipated to be completed at the end of the Summer with a report presented to members at the full Fire Authority meeting in September;

(c)  the initial stage of collaborative working to save resources has been fairly easy, but identifying further options will become more complex;

(d)  the public profile of how NFRS is working collaboratively to make mutual savings needs to be raised further so officers are working proactively to highlight the willingness of the Service to collaborate, and the achievements to date;

(e)  NFRS is active within the National Collaboration Working Group, whilst the Collaboration Board consists of Senior NFRS and Police officers and elected members, the Delivery Board consists of high level Officers from both Services;

(f)  NFRS is not yet realising significant collaborative savings, but as the relationships with other services strengthens and there is improved understanding of each other’s needs and requirements, this will change;

(g)  there are some logistic aspects where the Police have difficulties but which NFRS can easily provide, such as the flood lighting of incidents. There are discussions that an arrangement may be possible whereby the Police are happy to cover the cost to the Fire and Rescue Service to provide and man such equipment when required;

(h)  a Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire joint Members Seminar will be held on 5 June 2018, the details of which will be sent to members shortly.

Members of the Committee expressed disappointed that the  Police and Crime Commissioner, had publicly announced that there are several potential options to consider with regard to the estates, including joint Police and NFRS Head Quarters. This statement was made prior to completion of the estates review and without any specific discussion taking place with members of the Authority. It is suggested that, in the spirit of collaboration, the Police and Crime Commissioner should be asked to respond to members’ concerns on this approach and liaise with members/officers of the Authority/Service before any further significant statements affecting NFRS are made. It is also suggested that the leaders of both the City and County Councils are consulted prior to any further significant public announcements.

John Buckley, Chief Fire Officer, commented that he had not been made aware of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s intention to make a public statement of that nature and that if he had been, it would be discussed with members first. .

Other members confirmed that the Authority has approved the Collaboration Framework which included potential collaboration of estates and that there may be potential for a joint Head Quarters of Police and Fire and Rescue but it is the responsibility of members to ensure that such a move is undoubtedly in the interest of the Fire and Rescue Service.

RESOLVED to note the report.