Have your say on the future and funding of Avon Fire & Rescue Service

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS) are calling on local residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their views on progress towards our Service Plan 2024-2028 as well as how much residents would be prepared to pay for their fire and rescue services.

The feedback will help us assess our performance against our plan, manage risks effectively, ensure the Service provides excellent value for money, and making sure the Service is a great place to work.

A commitment to community safety

The Service Plan outlines a commitment to improving community safety through fire prevention, risk reduction, and emergency response. It includes initiatives to address emerging risks and looks at strategies to reduce the likelihood of incidents before they happen.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton said: “As a Service, our main aim is to make our communities safer and we do that by preventing fires through education, protecting you in your homes and your places of work, and by responding to fires.

“We are now one year into our four-year plan and what you think about our progress matters to us and that’s why it’s important that you take part in this survey, to make your voice heard.”

_{Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton}

“As with many public sector organisations, we are facing some real financial constraints, and we must be honest about the challenges we face in maintaining our level of service. However, the safety of our communities remains our top priority, and we are committed to working with local people, partners, and staff to ensure that we make the best use of every pound we receive.”

Why get involved?

This survey presents an opportunity for you to have a say in how your fire and rescue service is shaped. You can provide feedback on various aspects of our plan and how we spend our money, including how we allocate our resources, our emergency response strategies, and how we engage with you, our community.

Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Ben Nutland added: “For Avon Fire & Rescue Service, community input is vital in shaping how it works as an emergency service in the future. We urge anyone with thoughts on how to improve services or manage the financial challenges ahead to share their opinions.

“The Authority’s role is to address the challenges facing the Service, with the resources available, ensuring an effective and efficient service that meets the expectations of local people and businesses.

Local people are encouraged to share their views by completing the short online survey: Take the survey.

The survey will close at 12 noon on Friday 7 February.

If you need the survey in another format, please call 07977 467634 or email [email protected]