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Updated Guidance For Places Of Worship - We've recently published updated safety and security guidance for Places Of Worship across Nottinghamshire. This can be found on a dedicated webpage that seeks to ensure the safety of all those we serve.

Service Guidance – Spotters, Enthusiasts & Emergency Incidents

Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is a community focused organisation. Our mission is to create safer communities across our county, and a key part of that is engaging with residents in a positive and constructive way.

As an emergency service and a Category One responder, we also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our workforce and to safeguard our property and estate. This is essential so we can maintain a robust and reliable response to 999 calls when people need us most.

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in requests from emergency service spotters and enthusiasts who wish to photograph our fire stations and appliances. Wherever operationally possible, our staff have been willing to support this interest.

However, in light of the current national security context and the operational demands on the Service, we must now take a more consistent and controlled approach to these requests to ensure the safety of our staff and the continuity of emergency response.

From 19 May 2026, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is no longer able to accommodate unplanned or impromptu visits to fire stations where individuals or groups request access to stations or fire appliances.

Fire service enthusiasts are welcome to attend public events, such as fire station open days. Alternatively, requests to visit stations for the purpose of photographing fire service vehicles may be made in advance through the Service’s Corporate Communications Team.

Requests can be submitted by emailing: corporatecomms@notts-fire.gov.uk

The Service remains willing to consider and support visits that are arranged in advance through official channels. However, we are unable to accommodate unplanned visits that may impact our ability to respond effectively to emergency incidents.

Drone Usage – Emergency Incidents

Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has also seen an increase in individuals attending emergency incidents and flying drones in close proximity to our operational response.Members of the public are reminded that flying drones near or over emergency incidents is strongly discouraged and may be unlawful.

The Civil Aviation Authority’s Drone Code makes clear that drones must not be flown close to, or within, areas where an emergency response effort is ongoing, unless permission has been granted by the relevant emergency service.

Unauthorised drone activity at incidents can create a significant safety risk and may hinder emergency operations, including:

  • preventing or delaying the landing of an air ambulance or other emergency aircraft;
  • interfering with the Service’s own operational drone use;
  • placing responding crews, casualties and the wider public at risk.

Flying a drone in these circumstances may constitute a breach of the Drone Code and may be a prosecutable offence. Recent prosecutions have demonstrated that enforcement action, including fines and seizure of equipment, can and will be taken where drone use interferes with emergency service operations.

The Service asks that all members of the public follow instructions given by emergency responders on scene and avoid the area surrounding an active incident. These measures are in place solely to protect life, ensure the safety of those involved, and allow emergency services to respond as effectively as possible.