On Monday June 14 the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (TWFRA) Annual General Meeting took place at the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) Headquarters in Washington.

One of the key issues being discussed during the meeting was to seek approval for the next stage of the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP). This process is required when a request is submitted to make changes to Fire Service resources across the Service.

There are four proposals being suggested as part of the IRMP process that would be rolled out over the 3 years of the plan.

The TWFRS proposals are as follows:

Proposal One

To introduce an additional fire appliance at West Denton Community Fire Station.

This proposal would result in the addition of a further 4 Crew Managers and 12 Firefighter roles into the Service.

Proposal Two

To primary staff the Service’s Aerial Ladder Platforms (ALPs). This proposal would result in the addition of a further 8 Crew Managers and 16 Firefighter roles into the Service.

Proposal Three

To change the current shift arrangements at Birtley Community Fire Station. This means the fire station would be crewed for 12 hours during the day, and fire cover will be provided by neighbouring stations at night.  This proposal would result in the addition of a further 1 Crew Manager role into the Service.

Proposal Four

To change the current shift arrangements at Rainton Bridge Community Fire Station. This proposal will result in the addition of a further 2 Watch Managers, 3 Crew Managers and 8 Firefighter roles into the Service.

TWFRA is the publicly accountable body that oversees the policy and service delivery of fire and rescue services on behalf of the community.

During today’s meeting the Fire Authority approved for the next stage of the IRMP process to commence, which means from week commencing Monday June 14, an 8-week public consultation will begin to allow for people to digest and discuss the proposals.

Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“I would like to thank the Chair of the Fire Authority and his fellow Authority members for approving our Fire Service proposals.  We are proud to serve the people of Tyne and Wear by keeping them safe from harm and by providing them with one of the best Fire Services in the country.

“We deliver a very robust and diverse provision across 17 community fire stations in the region, and it is our obligation to ensure what is provided to the public is of the highest order. We are delighted to have some of the quickest response times to emergency incidents in England.

“These submitted proposals will allow TWFRS to adapt to current times and best serve the needs of the community. We have reviewed what is required to bring the Service in line with our vision for the future, and this is reflected in the creation of 54 new roles over the next 3-years.

“We would urge for the people of Tyne and Wear to have their say over the next two-months as we are eager to find out their views on the proposals.”

People can find out more about our IRMP proposals, and take part in the IRMP consultation, by accessing the survey on the TWFRS website

www.twfire.gov.uk/about-us/what-we-do/integrated-risk-management-plan-irmp-2021-2024

The IRMP consultation will go live on Wednesday 16 June and will close at 1200hrs on Wednesday 11 August.