South Yorkshire Fire Authority has approved a three year plan to improve services from 2025 to 2028 after hundreds of people took part in a public consultation.
The Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) highlighted three new Strategic Objectives to remove inefficiencies to the service, embed inclusion and community support, and improve performance and leadership across all service areas.
Simon Dunker, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “We welcome the opportunity to show the public how we intend to create a safer South Yorkshire over the coming years.”
“We will do this in three main ways: by preventing emergencies through safety education and engagement with our communities, protecting buildings by checking compliance with fire safety laws, and responding to emergencies quickly and professionally.”
One major change as part of a fire cover review has been the decision to move the Small Incident Unit from Cudworth fire station based in Barnsley to Dearne fire station in Rotherham.
Dunker said: “This is the best location for the unit because the vehicle is able to reach a larger number of incidents from there than its current location.”
The Small Incident Unit remit is set for expansion to help the ambulance service to gain entry to properties.
The draft also included updated green initiatives including aims to decarbonise the service and technological improvements to implement Microsoft Office 365.
The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive stated in the report: “The CRMP is an up-to-date analysis of local risk and describes how we will effectively coordinate our prevention, protection, response and resilience work to improve public safety and save lives.”
The CRMP, which all fire services are required to produce, sets objectives for 2025 to 2028 to improve workplace culture and ensure community well-being.
Almost 300 people were involved in the staff and public consultation process of the plan which closed on the 7th February.
The plan was first drafted in 2021 for local people to provide feedback and advice on existing resources and response times of the service.
Changes that were identified are to commence from April this year.