Rescue Centres

What are rescue centres?

The term rescue centres describes locations in London at which specialist rescue equipment would be based, such as fire rescue units (FRUs) and urban search and rescue equipment (USAR) which deal with specialist rescues such as building collapses, transport accidents or water rescues.

What are fire rescue units (FRUs)?

Fire rescue units look very similar to a traditional fire engine, but rather than pumping water to fight a fire they are used for specialist rescues. The equipment they carry, and specialist crews, tackle emergencies like road traffic collisions, water rescues and rescues involving lines (ropes).

What are urban search and rescue (USAR) units?

Urban search and rescue units carry specialist rescue equipment. USAR crews are capable of searching for casualties using fibre optic cameras and listening devices, and can also lift and move debris, gaining access to casualties by breaking through barriers and stabilising buildings. USAR teams would be sent to incidents like building collapses or major transport accidents. These were introduced under the government’s New Dimensions programme.

Will additional funding be required for these new centres?

No, the centres will be located in buildings we already own / use, the fourth draft London Safety Plan proposals are to move these specialist vehicles from their current locations to the new centres as detailed.

What is alternate crewing?

Alternate crewing would mean that staff based at the same location could operate different vehicles as and when they are needed.

How many staff could be affected if the proposals were accepted, rescue centres established and alternate crewing introduced?

No one is going to lose their job. We would plan to reduce the numbers of trainee firefighters we recruit during an implementation period. There would be an impact on firefighters currently serving fire stations we are proposing to move specialist vehicles from, but these firefighters will either move to another station or move with the vehicle to its new base. Further work will be completed regarding alternate crewing.

Are you going to close fire stations or reduce the number of appliances?

No, we are improving how we manage our resources, not reducing equipment or fire stations.

Would crews with specialist training go out on a fire engine if based at one of the centres?

Crews working at the rescue centres would be able to operate and drive all of the vehicles based at that centre. The specialist skills needed to operate all of these vehicles are very similar. If the proposals are approved we will review the skills required to be an operator on fire rescue units and urban search and rescue vehicles.

How would this affect the training of firefighters?

The establishment of the centres would improve training opportunities for firefighters by housing specialist skills and equipment all in one place, making it easier and more efficient to arrange training. By planning our resources, we ensure that the firefighter skills are tailored to the needs of every fire station in the Brigade. Professional skills and experience are never compromised.

Is it envisaged that stations will be altered to accommodate the new centres?

Locations have been proposed based on there being little or no accommodation changes being required.

How has the positioning of the new centres been worked out?

We have looked at how we use specialist vehicles and the places we keep them, carrying out extensive risk modelling work to decide the best locations for the proposed specialist centres to be based.