Green light for closer links between blue light services

• Newent Community Fire and Rescue Station became the first in Gloucestershire to share premises with the Police when its doors were ‘officially’ opened during a ceremony this afternoon.
• Winchcombe Community Fire and Rescue Station will also become a shared space with the Constabulary next month.   
• Gloucestershire PCC Chris Nelson said “These facilities will be invaluable to joint, partnership working in the county, bringing the two emergency services teams together in local communities”
• Dave Norman, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a great example of how our emergency services can work together to provide the best possible services for our communities”.

Newent and Winchcombe Community Fire and Rescue Stations will be joint operating bases for the Police and Fire and Rescue Service.

Today is the first day police officers and firefighters will share the space at Newent community Fire and Rescue Station.

On Wednesday 2 August Winchcombe community Fire and Rescue Station will also become a shared space for both the Police and Fire and Rescue Service.

These facilities will be invaluable to joint, partnership working in the county, bringing the two emergency services teams together in local communities.

Police officers can conduct foot patrols from their new bases and become embedded in these more rural communities.

The teams can use the building for pre-arranged appointments, training, or meetings with the public and other agencies, as well responding to emergencies from.

The building can also serve as bases for local Special Constables and Volunteer Police Community Support Officers which the Police and Crime Commissioner and Constabulary are working to expand.

A great example of how our emergency services can work together

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson, said: “It is vital that we have the right infrastructure to support these new shared bases. My office has made a considerable investment to deliver on improvement works that will benefit police, fire and the communities they serve.

We are looking forwarding to working far more closely with our colleagues in the County Council and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am delighted to support the collaborative spaces between our fire and rescue service and police partners. This is a great example of how our emergency services can work together to provide the best possible services for our communities. The collaborative spaces at both Newent and Winchcombe community fire and rescue stations will support both services to provide high quality service from stations which are in the heart of the community to the residents of Newent and Winchcombe, as well as ensuring value for money.”

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am very pleased that our police partners have now joined us at our shared facilities at both Newent and Winchcombe Community Fire and Rescue Stations. I am confident that working together collaboratively with our emergency service partners will continue to enhance the services we provide to our communities. Working together towards our common goal, a safer Gloucestershire.”