Shared use Fire Station Summary
Benefits Because of this project the community have better local access to key organisations and the services they offer. Having a local base for Police patrols means they spend more time in the area and therefore are more visible in the community, which helps to build public confidence and reduce the fear of crime. It is also supports the Avon & Somerset Constabulary’s Neighbourhood Policing team by providing local facilities for community engagement activities, such as Beat Surgeries.
Chew Magna Fire Station has literally opened its doors to partner organisations by providing a joint office and meeting space for personnel to use. This provides a local work base for organisations working within the community. Joining up local services means that the local community is better served and it also means the Fire Station building is being used more efficiently.
What it involves
Having two desks connected to the Council network means that any Council staff, from any service can work as they would from a Council office. It increases efficiency by reducing both travel time and cost. The Council has its own building rationalisation and flexible working programme in place, so this joint work space facility enables this more flexible way of working. Fire fighters have to maintain high levels of personal fitness, and so in return for the use of this space the Council offers reduced cost membership for them and their families at Chew Valley Leisure Centre.
Next Steps The Fire Station in Chew Magna, a small village in the Chew Valley, is resourced on a “retained” basis. This means all the fire fighters are local residents living within 5 minutes of the station and are ‘on call’. As a retained station the building is only usually in use when there is an emergency call or for training purposes. Avon Fire & Rescue Service realised there was an opportunity to operate their building in a more efficient way by opening up the Station to other organisations working with the local community. Two key organisations - Avon & Somerset Constabulary and Bath & North East Somerset Council - welcomed the chance to share the Fire Station facilities, and by working together have got the office and meeting spaces up and running. The building was already well equipped with office equipment, a meeting space with a projector and a shower. Two Council hot desks, which connect directly to the Council’s network and databases, were added. Avon & Somerset Constabulary’s Neighbour Policing Team also use the space.
The partners from the key organisations are committed to ensuring that the relationship developed by staff at the shared work space results in improvements in referral mechanisms, especially for vulnerable people within the community. Staff meet on a quarterly basis to monitor progress and discuss joint initiatives. It is hoped that the Council will consider these offices as one of their landing sites as part of the building rationalisation and flexible working programme. If any other services would like to make use of this shared work space, do get in touch. For more information contact: Les Fry Avon Fire & Rescue Service Tel: 0117 9262061 or Sara Dixon Bath & North East Somerset Council Email: sara_dixon@bathnes.gov.uk Tel: 01225 39 6594.
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