A public meeting to discuss the future of Hertfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service is scheduled to go ahead tomorrow.

Hertfordshire County Council will host a meeting at Wellspring Church in Watford from 6pm tomorrow to hear feedback on its draft Integrated Risk Management Plan.

The draft IRMP published in late 2018, details the risks that have been considered, what resources the fire and rescue service needs, and where they need to be in order to manage these now and in the future.

The plan lays out Hertfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service’s collaboration with various emergency services, including Hertfordshire Constabulary, following the agreement signed by the county council and Police and Crime Commissioner.

An inspection, conducted by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services last year, found the county’s fire and rescue service “requires improvement” in “effectiveness, efficiency and people”.

Terry Hone, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Our Fire and Rescue Service needs to evolve to face the challenges of the 21st century and this plan sets out how we think that should happen.

“The Fire and Rescue Service have produced this plan after looking at what kind of incidents they are called to, where they are and when they happen, as well as looking at what the challenges and opportunities will be over the next 30 years.

“We need to make sure we have the right equipment, in the right places, crewed by the right people with the right training - not just to deal with today’s challenges but tomorrow’s too.

“We want to hear what our staff, the public and key stakeholders think about the draft plan and I’d encourage people to let us know their thoughts before we make a decision on whether to go ahead with these proposals. The forthcoming public meetings are a great way to have your say on the future of the Fire and Rescue Service.”

Views on the draft plan can also be shared in the online consultation. The 12-week consultation will run until March 6.

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/consultations/fire-and-rescue/fire-and-rescue-service-integrated-risk-management-plan.aspx