Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item

6 February 2002

Review of Fire Cover - Future of Copnor Fire Station

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact: Deputy Chief Fire Officer Alan House - 023 8064 4000 ext 205

1

Introduction

1.1

A review of cover on Portsea Island has shown that, utilising in full the existing resources, the area can be served by 2, rather than 3, fire stations. The existing Copnor Fire Station is not required to meet future operational needs. The area does still require the existing number of fire appliances and operational personnel but these can be deployed effectively from the existing Cosham and Southsea Fire Stations and still meet and exceed the expected standards of cover for the risk categories of the area.

2

Review Process

2.1

The Review Team in considering the area have used established and accepted methodology for assessing risk categories and assessing response times. Empirical evidence from past incidents and timed runs in a fire appliance `blue light' response were used to confirm that national attendance times could be met in all areas.

3

Consultation

3.1

The consultation process has included public notices, public meetings, discussions with the Fire Brigades Union and a presentation to the Portsmouth City Council Public Protection Committee.

4

European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

4.1

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Recommendation

That application be made to the Secretary of State under Section 19 of the Fire Services Act to:

- close Copnor Fire Station and

- transfer existing operational personnel and appliances to

Southsea Fire Station

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Papers

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

1 Fire Services Act 1947

2 The Home Office Report of the Joint Committee on Standards of Fire Cover 1985

3 Department of Transport, Local Government & Regions (DTLR)

Fire Cover Review Pathfinder Trials Documentation

- Dwelling Risk Assessment - Toolkit Version 1

- Special Services Risk Assessment - Toolkit Vertion 1

Note: The list excludes:

(1) Published works

(2) Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act