Emergency Services

In an emergency where you need police, ambulance or fire service assistance urgently call 999

Diss Ambulance Service

The Ambulance Service is based in Owen Road on the Vinces Road Industrial Estate. It is manned 24 hours a day on a rota system. The managers head a team of highly skilled personnel, including ambulance paramedics and technicians, who serve an area of about 465 square miles in South Norfolk and North Suffolk. It is equipped with first line and rapid response vehicles kitted out with the latest resuscitation instruments. The East of England Ambulance NHS Trust, of which Diss is a part, has headquarters at Hellesdon, Norwich, where control co ordinates requests from patients, doctors and others who have emergency requirements.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (Diss)

Diss Fire Station is in the Southern district of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and has an establishment of 16 ‘On Call’ personnel. Watch Manager Karl Hain is the officer in charge and is supported by four Crew Managers and 11 Firefighters. They all have primary employment elsewhere but are highly trained and carry a pager by which they are alerted, they report to the station within minutes once called. On average Diss attends 200 calls a year. Drill night (training and admin) takes place every Wednesday evening and at other times when required. If you are interested in joining the ‘On Call’ visit the website www.norfolk.gov.uk/safety/norfolk-fireand-rescue-service/recruitment

Based at the station are two fire engines and a new ‘tactical response vehicle’ (TRV). Once operational the TRV’s main duty will be responding to wildfires because of its off road capabilities. Diss is also a core station in Norfolk involved in the National Resilience Programme put together by the Government, after the 9/11 attacks in New York. In the event of a major terrorist CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) attack on the country, the Incident Response Unit from Hethersett along with the core stations could be mobilised to any part of the country for the purpose of ‘Mass Decontamination’ of the general public.

Also attached to the station are the Diss Fire Cadets aged from 13 to 18. They meet every Tuesday for training and also take part in community activities. The cadet’s leader is CM Harry Powell. If you are interested in joining the cadets, pop along on their training evening to find out more.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is committed to making Norfolk safer and offers free ‘Home Fire Risk Checks’ to eligible persons whereby a member of the service will call to your home by appointment and offer fire safety advice. To find out if you are eligible visit our website:: www.norfolkfireservice.gov.uk/nfrs/your -safety/safety-in-your-home.

Diss Police Station

Inspector Symonds leads Diss, Long Stratton & Harleston Safer Neighbourhood Team. His dedicated team includes five teams of SNT Patrol officers who will respond to your calls for service 24 hours a day, investigate the crimes in your area and work with the three Beat Managers (one for Diss PC Andrew Baker, one for Long Stratton PC Andy Barkway & one for HarlestonPC Steve Phillips).

The team work in partnership with communities and other agencies to understand and address local problems.

The Diss SNT is responsible for Diss and the surrounding villages of Aslacton, Bunwell, Bressingham and Fersfield, Burston and Shimpling, Brockdish (inc. Thorpe Abbots), Carleton Rode, Dickleburgh and Rushall, Diss, Gissing, Gt Moulton, Heywood, Needham, Roydon, Scole (inc.Thelveton and Billingford), Shelfanger, Tibenham, Tivetshall St Mary and Margaret, Winfarthing.

To contact Diss SNT call 101, email sntdiss@norfolk.pnn.police.uk or visit their website at www.norfolk.police.uk.

In an emergency always call 999. Dialling 999 is a must if you are facing an incident or crime right now and you need police help immediately. Such emergencies may include:

• Someone using violence or threatening violence

• Where there is a danger to life

• Serious damage is being or could be caused to a property

• A potential criminal has been disturbed or apprehended

• A road traffic collision where someone is hurt and/or a danger is being caused to other road users.

In a nonemergency, you may use the external telephone at the police station which connects you through to the Control Room at Wymondham Headquarters.