Relocating a specialist fire engine, changing how close on-call firefighters live or work to stations and trialling a roaming appliance to plug gaps in cover are among proposals the public is being asked for views on.
People are being asked to give their views on proposals put forward under Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service’s draft Community Risk Management Plan 2023-26.
One proposed change is to move the technical rescue unit from Thetford to Great Yarmouth.
Fire chiefs say the appliance should be moved because of how often firefighters need to rescue animals from ditches next to the A47 Acle Straight, as well as the increased risk of flooding at the coast.
And the service, which is run by Norfolk County Council, is considering relaxing rules on how near on-call firefighters have to live or work to fire stations.
The service has struggled for years to recruit enough on-call personnel because retained firefighters must live or work within five minutes of an on-call station.
The plan also proposes trialling the use of a "dynamic roaming" fire engine to help cover gaps.
Margaret Dewsbury, the council's cabinet member for communities and partnerships said: "It is really important the public use this opportunity to have their say around how our fire service plans to achieve its aims of improving public safety, reducing the number of emergency incidents and saving lives."
People can have their say, at norfolk.gov.uk/crmp by December 19.
There are also drop-in events at:
- King’s Lynn north fire station, Kilhams Way, 2pm until 4pm on Tuesday, November 15.
- Wymondham fire station, London Road, 11am until 1pm on Tuesday, November 22.
- Massingham fire station, Station Road, 11am until 1pm on Thursday, November 24.
- North Walsham fire station, New Road, 10.30am until 12.30pm on Monday, November 28.
- Great Yarmouth fire station, Friars Lane, 10.30am until 12.30pm on Tuesday, November 29.
- Carrow fire station, Bracondale, 10.30am until 12.30pm on Wednesday, November 30.
- Fakenham fire station, Norwich Road, 11.30am until 1.30pm on Thursday, December 1.
- North Norfolk District Council offices, Holt Road, Cromer, 10.30am until 12.30pm on Friday, December 2.
- Aylsham fire station, Cawston Road, 2pm to 4pm on Monday, December 5.
- Thetford library, Raymond Street, 10am until 12.30pm, Monday, December 12.
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