Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has secured a Commons Debate on issues facing Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service.
Christopher Fraser said, “Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service has been judged a good, well-performing fire service by the Audit Commission. But it faces a number of challenges which, if not addressed, could threaten that level of performance, particularly in rural areas of my constituency.
“I secured today’s debate in order to raise with the Minister particular concerns about the recruitment and availability of retained fire fighters on which 35 of the county’s 41 fire stations rely. I was shocked when the Chief Fire Officer told me that it was not unusual to have as many as ten fire engines unavailable during the working day, because employers are increasingly disinclined to give their employees the time off to carry out this duty.
“I welcomed the Minister’s acceptance that the Fire Service across the UK could not function without retained fire fighters. They are vastly more cost effective than full-time employees. He agreed that more could be done to raise awareness of the Retained Duty System and build better links with business. Sadly, he did not indicate how the Government might do this.
“I was not persuaded by his arguments in favour of regionalisation, and remain worried that if the Heathersett control room is closed and its functions moved to Cambridgeshire, the quality of emergency cover in Norfolk may be jeopardised.
“Equally, the Minister spoke enthusiastically about specialist equipment provided to Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service in recognition of the increasing occurrence of flooding, both in the Fens and on the coast. But when he admitted that one single pump had been supplied to cover the whole of Norfolk, my heart sank. This is ludicrous. The Minister admitted that he was not as familiar as I am with the geography of Norfolk, but perhaps he should have done more preparation for this debate, given the serious implications for public safety if issues are not addressed.
“I also raised my view that it is crazy for the Fire & Rescue Service not to be entitled to use red diesel in its specialist vehicles. Currently, they paid fuel duty to the Treasury, but look to the Government for funding to buy their fuel. Would it not make sense for tax and duty to be saved and the saving committed to front-line emergency service cover?”
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