Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has praised the work of Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service in serving the community in his constituency. Christopher Fraser met the Chief Fire Officer, Richard Elliott, and his team at the Service Headquarters on Thursday 10 January. Also present was County Councillor Richard Rockcliffe, Cabinet Member for Fire & Community Safety.
Christopher Fraser said, “The purpose of my visit was to discuss the shortfall in retained fire officers at rural stations in West Norfolk, particularly Outwell in my constituency, and the implications for effective emergency cover in the Norfolk Fens. Mr Elliott briefed me on the action being taken to address this issue, which is recognised as a potential challenge for the service if the recruitment of retained officers does not increase. I would urge local people who want to serve their community to consider putting themselves forward. Retained Fire-fighters play a vital role in saving the lives of friends and neighbours.
“I was hugely impressed by the control room and the technical innovation used to ensure that Norfolk’s residents get the immediate response that they require in an emergency. I am sure that the cutting-edge technology used at Heathersett is the envy of fire-fighters across the country. It seems crazy to me that the Government is considering closing the centre down and moving control to Cambridgeshire. I cannot believe that this regionalisation is anything but a cost-saving measure and I am extremely concerned that the high level of delivery that we currently get in Norfolk could be jeopardised by the move. I will be making my views known to Ministers.
“I will also take up with the Government the extended role that Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service undertakes for the community, over and above the statutory duties laid down by law. I was told for example of the impact of last year’s exceptional level of rain, which caused flooding in many homes locally, to which fire-fighters were called. I was also advised that the Service is not obliged to attend rescues from water, but again they respond because of the specialist help they can offer. It appears that the Government may not take account of these duties when considering funding for the Service.
“A particular issue which arose from our discussions was the short-fall in finance that is holding back Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service. Significant expenditure is committed to fuel costs for specialist vehicles like fire engines. Yet the Fire Service, as with other emergency services, is prohibited from using so-called red diesel, on which there is a beneficial rate of excise duty. So the Government is taxing the Fire Service on its fuel and effectively reducing the money spent on front-line emergency service cover. I shall be calling on Ministers to review this situation, for the public good.
“Finally, Mr Elliott sought my help in getting the message over to my constituents that prevention of fire is vastly more effective and less dangerous and costly than dealing with fire itself. Smoke alarms should be fitted in every home and regularly maintained. I shall be putting out this message across South West Norfolk.”
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