A report highlighting progress made since Norfolk’s police and fire service signed a pledge to work better together has been released. Members of Norfolk County Council’s cabinet will be presented with the first Annual Report into Norfolk’s Police and Fire Collaboration on Monday. Councilor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “This report underlines the commitment by staff in both services to take action and work better together for the benefit of everyone in Norfolk.”
effective public services
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lorne Green, welcomed the report, saying: “I am delighted by what has been achieved since the collaboration agreement between our police and fire & rescue services was signed. This report evidences how my review into fire service governance 18 months ago has been a real catalyst for change in our county. Ultimately, what we all want is better, more efficient and effective public services for our county’s residents. It’s really pleasing to see what can be gained when we work together. May this closer working relationship long continue and grow.”
The report highlights some of the key achievements since the collaboration agreement was signed, which pledged to find ways to work together to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Norfolk’s emergency services.
shared emergency control room
Some of the steps taken in the first year of collaboration include:
- A new shared emergency control room
- A shared approach to dealing with missing persons
- Shared resources and training for staff
- Utilizing buildings for the benefit of both services
- The start of joint public community engagement events
Produced jointly by Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, the report has already been approved by the Emergency Services Collaboration Board, which was set up a year ago as part of the agreement. The board has representatives from Norfolk County Council, Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commission, Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service.