Londoners are to be consulted on the future of the capital’s fire and rescue service after members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LEFPA) approved measures it says will “lead to significant improvements in services”.
Members of the Authority last week agreed the Fourth London Safety Plan which includes proposals to reduce the number of incident response units “which are whole time crewed” from four to two, one of the remaining vehicles being alternately crewed and the other being redeployed to the Safety Skills Team in Training.
Other proposals include:
- The establishment of four Bulk Extinguishing Materials Centres at Harrow (subject to further detailed consideration), Kingston, Beckenham and Barking fire stations;
- Establishment of four Rescue Centres at Edmonton, Heston (subject to further detailed consideration), Croydon and East Ham fire stations;
- Building on the services provided by the London Local Authority Co-ordination Centre (LLACC) through the expansion of the groups with which the LLACC can work and the support which the LLACC can give to the local authority Gold arrangements.
Brian Coleman, Chairman of LEFPA said: “London has an excellent fire and rescue service, but we recognise the need to move forward with the modernisation of the Brigade and ensure we are making the very most of the specialist skills and equipment at our disposal. The Commissioner’s proposals deliver a range of improvements and efficiency across the board, shaking up the way we prepare for and respond to emergencies without cutting front line services.”
The plan will be subject to a twelve week consultation to collect the views of Londoners and key stakeholders.
