Northeast emergency services pledge greater collaboration

 Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police have pledged to work closer together to provide an enhanced service to the public.

The three emergency services recently signed a statement of intent for a framework to explore opportunities for greater collaborative working. 

The aim is to identify priority areas where closer working can lead to enhanced public service, cost savings and greater value for money. 

All three services in the Northeast provide vital services to local communities with a collective responsibility to protect the public. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said the police and fire and rescue services had worked together on several initiatives in Northumbria in recent years and this collaboration is taking the partnership to a new level. 

“It proves we are determined to make further savings to reinvest in our respective services while offering the best service for local residents,” she said. “This means we are ahead of the new duty to collaborate, while the legislation is still going through.”

Tom Wright, Tyne and Wear Fire Authority Chair, said. “All three organisations provide first rate local services and close collaboration will enable us to build on our respective strengths to protect local people and communities.”