Plans for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to move in to Cheshire Police's HQ are to be discussed today.
A report ahead of the meeting of Cheshire Fire Authority states Cheshire Constabulary (CC) and Cheshire Fire and Rescue (CFRS) believe it is possible to create a joint headquarters at the police’s Oakmere Road headquarters at Winsford so support services are delivered by a single ‘back office’.
More than 100 CFRS staff would be transferred to the police building under the new blue light collaboration proposals.
A CFRS spokesman said: “Since 2014 Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has been looking at a potential bluelight collaboration along with our colleagues at Cheshire Constabulary and the North West Ambulance Service.
“As the three emergency services responsible for protecting the communities of Cheshire, we all have the same shared commitment to improving the safety of our residents.
“Ambitious plans have now been produced that join up some of the back office services and systems supporting both Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. The main aim of these plans is to maximise the efficiency of the two services’ back office teams and systems that support the frontline emergency services. These will be put before the Fire Authority for review this Wednesday (September 23) prior to a final decision due in December.”
He added: “We are confident that by working together more closely and sharing some resources and premises we can achieve real efficiencies as well as delivering a more joined-up service to our communities.
“Staff likely to be affected by the plans will be kept fully informed and consulted along with their representative bodies throughout the process.”
A spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said: “Options for improving emergency services and saving money through a blue light collaboration programme have been under discussion for some time.
A report on the implications of closer working with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, including a single, shared site for police and fire and rescue service headquarters, will be considered by the police and crime commissioner and the constabulary in the coming months.”
