Five Fire stations in Staffordshire have been fitted with Police bases as part of a commitment to closer working between the two services.
They are in addition to the 10 existing local Policing team operational bases spread across the county and mean that officers can spend more time in the community without needing to return to their primary station as often.
The new bases also allow officers to share important information and knowledge more easily with their fire service colleagues.
The new Police bases are located at:
- Chase Terrace Fire and Police Station
- Kinver Fire and Police Station
- Penkridge Fire and Police Station
- Stone Fire and Police Fire Station
- Uttoxeter Fire and Police Station
Staffordshire Police officers and PCSOs have access to a specially-equipped room at each of these stations which they can use during their shift to catch up on admin or take comfort breaks.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams has been to the bases and seen the benefits of the new working arrangement for officers and firefighters.
He said: “The new Police bases are part of Staffordshire Police’s local policing model, with more officers based in our communities with the local knowledge and contacts to deal with the issues that matter to people.
“Making the most effective use of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s modern, purpose-built facilities not only makes operational sense, allowing the two emergency services to work more closely together locally, but also makes the best use of resources and therefore public money.”
Mr Adams recently visited the new Stone base alongside Station Manager Liam Hickey and Inspector Kelly Wareing from Stafford Local Policing Team.
Inspector Kelly Wareing, of Stafford local policing team, said: “Police officers and firefighters often attend the same incidents, so it makes sense for us to have joint stations where we share resources and continue to build practical and effective relationships with our colleagues at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Station Manager Liam Hickey, from Stone Fire and Police Station, said: “Greater collaboration between firefighters and police officers in Stone can only be a benefit to the residents, businesses and people we proudly serve on a daily basis.
“We are always looking at effective ways to meet both operational and financial challenges and this initiative is an example of that. It will help us to improve how we work with emergency services colleagues on a localised scale and will help us to save money, which will benefit the service we provide to local communities.”
Similar arrangements are currently being considered for Kidsgrove Fire Station.
