Fire and Rescue Control Centre WILL remain in Cornwall
The centre based at Tolvaddon handles emergency 999 calls
Last updated 22nd Mar 2023
Cornwall’s Fire and Rescue Critical Control Centre, which handles all emergency calls, will remain in the Duchy.
The decision to not move it out of county was taken by the council’s Cabinet committee this morning.
A review of call handling had considered outsourcing some of the service to call centres outside Cornwall, but this idea was rejected, and extra funding will instead be provided to improve the technology used by the service.
The Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) has welcomed Cornwall Council’s decision to retain the control centre in Cornwall.
Gary Cotton, FBU secretary for Cornwall, said: "Fire and rescue control staff are vital to our service. They are the ones picking up fire calls from the public, identifying locations and mobilising resources.
"Firefighters across Cornwall will be relieved that the Council has finally recognised the value of the highly specialised skills and knowledge required, and the essential role that fire control plays in keeping the public safe.
"This U-turn represents a victory for our members, and for the safety of the people of Cornwall. We should never have had to fight against these absurd plans, but we have shown that we can and must push back against dangerous decisions made in the name of cost cutting".
Choosing to retain the current service does come at a cost and it was explained that the additional £625,000 needed would have to be paid for out of council reserves for the coming year and then be incorporated into the Fire and Rescue Service budget in future years.
Council Leader Linda Taylor, said: "I am also delighted we are retaining the call handling for the fire service within Cornwall. Although it may have been cheaper to outsource the service, it is not always right to just take the money-saving option.
"This review has been intensive, with discussions with our fire crews who would be directly affected by any changes, and the involvement of the Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee, whose hard work helped us reach this decision.
"I said when we were elected that we would be a listening administration, and this decision is a clear reflection of that promise".
Cllr Alvey added: "The fact that we have, unanimously, as a Cabinet agreed the most expensive decision shows that we make decisions which we believe are the best for Cornwall. We have a responsibility to spend our money wisely and so we have to be confident that this is the best thing operationally for Cornwall but also that we don’t spend money that isn’t necessary.
"The case has been made and the service should remain as is – there will have to be some changes in working practices, particularly in relation to the night shifts, and that is included in the reports. But ultimately it will remain in Cornwall 24 hours a day with the back up in North Yorkshire that we currently have and was essential back in the summer when we had a number of wildfires and when we had the flooding in Coverack".