Proceeding contribution from Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 4 March 2008. It occurred during Adjournment debate on Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
I can correct the hon. Gentleman on that. At present, we have 46 different control rooms, and very many of them are on different systems. That means that there is not the same kind of capacity if one of those control rooms receives a lot of calls. The nine regional controls will all be on the same system and will be able to back each other up and talk directly to the one that has been overwhelmed. That is a key difference. The system will be much more resilient. It will also allow for the cross-border mobilisation of an engine and will move the nearest engine to the scene of the incident. All that will provide our firefighters with the best system that this country has ever seen, and also, I believe, the best system in the world, which is what they deserve. The hon. Members for South-West Norfolk and for South Norfolk mentioned water rescue, which is a very important issue. It is something that my chief fire adviser, Sir Ken Knight, is looking at. The issue of a statutory duty is important. Within our calculations and considerations, we must consider three points. First, we find the fire and rescue service to be a can-do service, as was the case in my constituency during the floods. We had fire and rescue services from across the country coming together and getting on with the job without the need for a duty. We must also bear in mind that if there is a duty in place, will that stop rescue services—whether they are from the voluntary sector, such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution or others—from attending and supporting the fire and rescue service, because all of a sudden, they will know that it is not their responsibility, but that of somebody else.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 472 c419-20WH
- Session
- 2007-08
- Chamber / Committee
- Westminster Hall
- Subjects
- Fire and rescue services Recruitment Staff Norfolk Rural areas Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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