Strategic goal 1
We will help people stay safe from fires and other emergencies
This goal focuses on the work we do to prevent fires and other emergencies and reduce the potential harm such incidents can cause. We deliver this through our Prevention strategy. More information about this is available in our Safer Communities Strategy 2025-28, which will be available on our website.
Over the last three years, we have significantly increased our overall productivity and we have invested in tools and research to improve our understanding of our communities. We have made improvements to our systems and invested in enhanced safeguarding training for colleagues. We have reorganised our Prevention team to better align our resources to meet the needs of the community.
Over the life of this CRMP, we will be focusing on how we can more effectively identify and reach those who are at a higher risk of harm. We will work with partners to explore ways in which we can tailor our activities to meet the needs of individuals and communities. Our work brings us into contact with vulnerable people who are at a higher risk of having fires, or from the effects of a fire, and they are often known to and engaging with multiple agencies. This can lead to duplication and sometimes gaps in the response to the individual’s needs and risks. We aim to explore opportunities to work more collaboratively with partner agencies to provide a more efficient and joined up service.
The key to success in our prevention work is being able to identify and engage with those most at risk. We will improve our use of data and local intelligence to more accurately target our activities. We will seek to expand and improve our engagement with communities where the risks could be better understood and addressed, including young people and rural communities.
At the same time, we will maintain our focus on improving our productivity and effectiveness through more effective use of systems and data.
Over the life of this plan, we aim to:
- Strengthen our community engagement programme
- Build on our risk-based approach to our prevention activities
- Ensure the continued development and competence of our colleagues and partners
- Work with partners and community groups to explore ways of increasing our capacity and tailor our delivery of services
- Improve ways of working across multiple agencies to provide tailored and person-centred solutions for people, without duplication of effort
- Review how we deliver fire investigations in line with new national standards and levels of demand
