Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/05/2012 07:42

A public consultation into proposals to improve fire cover across Camborne, Pool, Redruth and Hayle has shown wide support.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) will present the findings of the survey, as well as detailed plans for the scheme to build new community fire stations at Tolvaddon and Hayle, at Cornwall Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Friday 4 May.

After being considered by the scrutiny committee, and subject to the committee’s approval, the proposals will then be considered by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet during its June meeting.

A combination of increased population levels, expanding towns, new road networks and 50 year old existing facilities has prompted the move by CFRS, which believes the improved response times made possible by the new community fire stations will ultimately protect lives.

CFRS currently reaches approximately 44% of the population within the Camborne, Pool, Redruth and Hayle area within a 10 minute emergency response time. By relocating Camborne and Redruth’s community fire stations, CFRS estimates fire crews could reach up to 14,000 more people in the same area within 10 minutes of an emergency call.

Meanwhile, Hayle Community Fire Station would be crewed by ‘On Call’ staff on a 24/7 basis and potentially shared to form a tri-service facility, with South Western Ambulance Service, Devon and Cornwall Police and CFRS working together under one roof.

“96% of the 815 people who responded to the consultation said it was very important that crews are able to respond to fires and reach the maximum number of people within a 10 minute response time,” said Paul Walker, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of CFRS.

“This is at the heart of our proposals – relocating the existing Camborne and Redruth stations to Tolvaddon would provide a community fire station crewed by both full time and ‘On Call’ staff on a 24/7 basis and Hayle would have its own community fire station.”

Local councils affected by the proposals were also consulted and Camborne and Hayle town councils, as well as Illogan Parish Council gave their support to the plans. Redruth Town Council has resolved to retain the town’s current fire station.

“We have held 31 consultation events since January to explain our proposals and hear the views of staff, local residents, local councils and other interested parties,” added Des Tidbury, Chief Fire Officer of CFRS. “These have helped shape the recommendations we are taking to the scrutiny committee. Our proposals will actually increase our operational capability, by providing an additional fire appliance in the area.”

Under proposals for the new community fire station at Tolvaddon, a number of critical support services would relocate adjacent to the facility, including Fire Control, Lifeline, CCTV, Training and Workshops. The site would also become home to the Service’s headquarters and Community Safety Team providing greater opportunity for effective and wide reaching joint working.

“I am pleased to support the building of brand new facilities in the CPRH area, ensuring improved fire cover to so many more residents,” said Councillor Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Community Safety and Public Protection.

“The proposed complex with its additional services has helped us to obtain funding from Central Government towards a fire control centre, the only stand alone centre in the country to win its bid, it will also make sure that Cornwall can retain its own fire control.”