Yesterday, Shadow Police and Fire Minster, Sarah Jones MP,visited Stanhope Community Fire Station to meet the shared Tri-Responders who serve our rural communities in the dales by jointly working for the three emergency services.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s (CDDFRS) Chief Fire Officer Stuart Errington along with Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and Chair of the County Durham and Darlington Combined Fire Authority Cllr John Shuttleworth showcased the joint emergency service provision based at the station, specifically highlighting innovative fire and police working arrangements.
Cllr John Shuttleworth, said “Collaboration is already at the forefront of what we do and there is a desire from both the fire and rescue service and the police to look at further opportunities to improve services and safe money where it is appropriate to do so. Neither the fire authority or the police and crime commissioner support a forced change of governance. These decisions are for local people to make and not for the Government to dictate.”
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen, added “As can be seen, Durham Police and Durham Fire and Rescue services already have some extremely effective collaboration arrangements in place. The two organisations successfully share estate, facilities and resources. This makes sense in ensuring best value for the local tax payer. I would like to see both organisations to continue to build on this, working closer together not because the Government tell us we must but because it is the right thing to do”
Sarah Jones MP said “‘It was great to see the successful collaboration between Police and Fire and Rescue services in Durham- the Tri-Responders really address the local needs of the community. Joined-up collaboration of this sort is very effective, and I hope that other communities, especially in rural and isolated areas, will follow the excellent example being set in County Durham’.
*ENDS*
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