Avon Fire & Rescue Service launches four-year Service Plan

Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) Service Plan 2024-2028 launches, for the first time, in a digital format on the Service’s brand-new website.  

The four-year rolling plan, approved by Avon Fire Authority on 20 March 2024, outlines the vision for the future of AF&RS with two strategic priorities: making our communities safer and making our Service stronger.  

With a focus on prevention, protection, response, resilience, improving the Service and investing in their staff, key objectives include:  

• Work collaboratively across the Service to engage with communities. 
• Continue to protect communities and businesses ensuring that specialist fire safety advice is available 24/7 to manage urgent risks.  
• Engage with businesses to reduce the impact of false alarms. 
• Continue to deploy emergency resources effectively. 
• Plan their response to changes in our communities to ensure our resources can deliver the best possible service. 
• Create and maintain a comprehensive system for managing operational and community risk. 
• Ensure all staff are continually trained in line with best practice. 
• Prioritise and accelerate progress to address recommendations from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and meet national standards. 
• Providing excellent training and development opportunities for staff. 

Simon Shilton, Chief Fire Officer for AF&RS, said: “I’m proud to launch our Service Plan 2024-2028 and would like to thank our local partners, communities, and staff for their input and continued support. 

“As a Service, we are committed to deliver the ambitious priorities outlined in this Service Plan all while facing significant financial pressures and increasing demand for public services. We’re also working hard to implement the actions and recommendations following our latest HMICFRS Inspection, with the aim of making improvements across all areas we are graded against, and I’m pleased the Inspectorate have recognised good progress on the plans already put in place. 

“It remains an honour and a privilege to lead a Service made up of dedicated and passionate individuals, who work hard to deliver the best possible service to our communities, to keep them safe from harm. There is no doubt that we are all determined in our efforts and commitments to make our communities safer and making our Service stronger.” 

Brenda Massey, Chair of Avon Fire Authority, added: “On behalf of Avon Fire Authority, we are delighted to be publishing this Service Plan 2024-2028 for our communities. 

“As a Fire Authority, we have a responsibility for providing the community with information and fire safety advice, making our roads safer and ensuring an effective response to emergencies across the area. 

“This new plan sets out how AF&RS will remain alert and flexible to the ever-changing environment and many challenges, so we can continue to keep local people safe in the most effective and efficient way. 

“I’d like to thank CFO Simon Shilton, and all those in the Service for all they have done to keep the people they serve safe these past many months.” 

Read the Service Plan 2024-2028 on the AF&RS website.