Staffordshire firefighters and police officers are now located together at one base in Tamworth, working together for the benefit of the public.
The move is the latest step in Staffordshire Commissioner Matthew Ellis’ promise to use public money even better to ensure both emergency services have more resources to spend at the ‘sharp end’ to keep people safe.
Both services began working together out of the large modern facility, Tamworth Fire and Police, in Marlborough Way, Belgrave during December 2019 (the building was previously Tamworth Community Fire Station).
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis said: ‘I visited Tamworth soon after local policing moved in alongside fire and rescue colleagues in their high-quality modern building.
‘The way both emergency services have adapted is impressive and I want to thank everyone involved for their professionalism and the enthusiastic way this has been achieved.
‘It represents even better value for public money and the savings made will mean more investment in frontline operations for policing and for the fire and rescue service.
‘I am delighted and look forward to the next shared building in Stoke-on-Trent and others which will follow.’
Chief Inspector Ashley Farrington, Tamworth Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: ‘It makes sense for us to work together with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) from one location within the town, as we already work closely together on many initiatives, such as the existing domestic violence co-ordination group which is chaired jointly by police, fire and the local authority.
‘Locating the two together at the Belgrave station reflects our commitment to neighbourhood policing as it only involves our neighbourhood policing teams. Response police officers will continue to brief at Burton response hub before travelling over to patrol Tamworth. However, they, and specialist police crews such as the armed response officers, can visit the building to use the facilities during their shifts.’
Martin Weaver, SFRS Station Manager, said: ‘We welcome the opportunity to continue working closely with our police colleagues and building more effective relationships with them.
‘There are many benefits of sharing a building, especially one which houses a diverse range of community groups and the Prince’s Trust programme. Police colleagues will benefit from being able to build relationships with these partners and importantly the move will also support operational delivery and assists with the financial position of both organisations, improving the service delivered to local people.’
Work is ongoing to identify other opportunities for police and fire to work together in other locations across the county.
