Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service area
Coverage
Area	Devon and Somerset, excluding Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset
Size	10,000 km². 700,000 households.
Population	1,600,000
Operations
Formed	2007 (Combined) 1948 (Somerset) 1973 (Devon)
HQ	Clyst St George
Staff	2255
Stations	83
Website	Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Fire Authority	Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority
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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service, or FRS, covering the counties of Devon and Somerset, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth and Torbay, in the south west of England.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was founded on 1 April 2007 following the merger of Devon Fire and Rescue Service with Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. The Somerset service, previously known as Somerset Fire Brigade, was formed on 1 April 1948. Somerset is organised operationally into three areas: North, South and West. Devon Fire Brigade was formed in 1973 by the amalgamation of Exeter City Brigade, Plymouth City Brigade and Devon County Brigade, and became Devon Fire and Rescue Service in 1987. Devon is organised operationally into four divisions: North, South, East and West. The service's headquarters is located at Clyst St George near Exeter.

The service employs 2255 staff including 798 whole time firefighters and control room staff, 1208 retained firefighters and 249 non-uniformed staff.

Each county still operates its own control room, in Exeter and Hestercombe, Taunton. The control rooms will merge when they move into the regional control centre in Taunton, as part of the FiReControl project.

Retained firefighters needed at stations. For information on which stations require personnel go to the DSFRS website.

Contents 1 Fire Stations 1.1 Devon Wholetime 1.2 Devon Wholetime / Retained 1.3 Devon Retained 1.4 Devon Volunteer 1.5 Somerset Wholetime / Retained 1.6 Somerset Retained 1.7 Co-responder Stations 2 Station Grounds 2.1 The M5 Motorway 2.2 HMNB Devonport 3 Fire Appliances 3.1 Water Tender Ladder 3.2 Water Tender 3.3 Incident Command Vehicle (ICV) 3.4 Environmental and Incident Support Units 3.5 Water Foam Carrier 3.6 Hose Layer 3.7 Multi Role Vehicle 3.8 Rescue Vehicle 3.9 Aerial Ladder Platform 3.10 Fireboat 3.11 Off Road Appliances 3.12 Lines Rescue Unit 3.13 Support Vehicles 3.14 Incident Response Unit (IRU) 3.15 Urban Search and Rescue 4 See Also 5 External links 6 News Links

[edit] Fire Stations

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service operates 83 fire stations, of which 13 are crewed day and night (wholetime), one day crewed (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00) and the remainder are crewed by retained firefighters who live near to their fire station and can arrive there within five minutes of a call being received. The breakdown of stations is as follows:

• 5 whole time stations (all in Plymouth)
• 8 whole time/retained stations
• 1 day crewed (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00)
• 67 Retained stations (the largest number in England)^{[citation needed]}
• 2 volunteer stations

Breakdown of the different areas and locations of each fire station (station number): here

[edit] Devon Wholetime

• (48) Camels Head (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Specialist Rescue Team)
• (49) Crownhill (Water Tender Ladder, Turntable Ladder)
• (47) Plympton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Foam Carrier, Multi Role Vehicle, Handyman Vehicle)
• (51) Plymstock (Water Tender Ladder, Fireboat)
• (50) Greenbank (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Incident Command Vehicle)

All of the above are in the Plymouth area.

[edit] Devon Wholetime / Retained

• North division: (01) Barnstaple (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Foam Carrier, Handyman Vehicle, Prime Mover, Environmental Pod, Incident Support Unit), (02) Ilfracombe (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Incident Command Vehicle, Specialist Rescue Team)
• South division: (17) Torquay (Two Water Tender Ladders, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Foam Carrier, Handyman Vehicle), (18) Paignton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Prime Mover, Environmental Pod, Incident Support Unit)
• East division: (32) Exeter (Two Water Tender Ladders, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Foam Carrier, Handyman Vehicle, Prime Mover, Environmental Pod, Incident Support Unit), (33) Exmouth (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender 4x4, Incident Command Vehicle, Rescue Vehicle)

[edit] Devon Retained

• North division: (03) Appledore (Water Tender Ladder), (04) Bideford (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (05) Braunton (Water Tender Ladder), (06) Chulmleigh (Water Tender Ladder), (07) Combe Martin (Water Tender Ladder), (08) Hartland (Water Tender Ladder), (09) Hatherleigh (Water Tender Ladder), (10) Holsworthy (Water Tender Ladder), (11) Lynton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender 4x4), (14) South Molton (Water Tender Ladder), (15) Torrington (Water Tender Ladder), (46) Witheridge (Water Tender Ladder), (16) Woolacombe (Water Tender Ladder)
• South division: (19) Ashburton (Water Tender Ladder), (20) Bovey Tracey (Water Tender Ladder, Ranger 4x4, Incident Response Unit), (21) Brixham (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (22) Buckfastleigh (Water Tender Ladder), (23) Chagford (Water Tender Ladder), (24) Dartmouth (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (25) Dawlish (Water Tender Ladder, Ranger 4x4), (27) Moretonhampstead (Water Tender Ladder), (28) Newton Abbot (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (30) Teignmouth (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (31) Totnes (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Incident Command Vehicle)
• East division: (34) Axminster (Water Tender Ladder), (35) Bampton (Water Tender Ladder), (36) Budleigh Salterton (Water Tender Ladder), (37) Colyton (Water Tender Ladder), (38) Crediton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (39) Cullompton (Water Tender Ladder), (40) Honiton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Hoselayer), (12) North Tawton (Water Tender Ladder), (13) Okehampton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Incident Response Unit), (41) Ottery St Mary (Water Tender Ladder), (42) Seaton (Water Tender Ladder), (43) Sidmouth (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (44) Tiverton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (45) Topsham (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender)
• West division: (53) Ivybridge (Water Tender Ladder, Prime Mover, Environmental Pod, Incident Support Unit), (52) Bere Alston (Water Tender Ladder), (26) Kingsbridge (Water Tender Ladder), (55) Modbury (Water Tender Ladder), (56) Princetown (Water Tender 4x4), (29) Salcombe (Water Tender Ladder), (58) Yelverton (Water Tender Ladder), (57) Tavistock (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Hoselayer)

[edit] Devon Volunteer

• West division: (54) Kingston (Water Tender 4x4)
• North division: (85) Lundy Island (Ranger 4x4)

[edit] Somerset Wholetime / Retained

• (61) Taunton (Two Water Tender Ladders, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Incident Support Unit, Rescue Tender)
• (62) Bridgwater (Two Water Tender Ladders, Water Tender, Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Foam Carrier, Incident Command Vehicle, Hoselayer)
• (73) Yeovil (Water Tender Ladder, Two Water Tenders, Aerial Ladder Platform, Water Foam Carrier, Incident Support Unit, Rescue Tender)

[edit] Somerset Retained

• West Somerset: (63) Burnham-on-Sea (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Bulk Foam Tender), (76) Cheddar (Water Tender Ladder, Pinzgauer), (64) Dulverton (Water Tender Ladder, Pinzgauer), (66) Minehead (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (67) Nether Stowey (Water Tender 4x4, Brendon Pump Unit), (68) Porlock (Water Tender 4x4, Supacat), (70) Wellington (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (71) Williton (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (72) Wiveliscombe (Water Tender Ladder, Incident Command Vehicle)

• East Somerset: (74) Castle Cary (Water Tender Ladder), (75) Chard (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (77) Crewkerne (Water Tender Ladder), (78) Frome (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (65) Glastonbury (Water Tender 4x4, Rescue Tender), (79) Ilminster (Water Tender Ladder, Incident Command Vehicle), (80) Martock (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (81) Shepton Mallet (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender, Brendon Pump Unit), (82) Somerton (Water Tender Ladder), (69) Street (Water Tender Ladder, Incident Command Vehicle), (83) Wells (Water Tender Ladder, Water Tender), (84) Wincanton (Water Tender Ladder)

Cheddar and Dulverton each operate a Pinzgauer which is a specially built 6x6 vehicle. They are located to tackle tough terrains in their respective locations. The Supacat at Porlock is a high mobility fire fighting appliance. It is transported on a trailer to incidents that are difficult to access.

[edit] Co-responder Stations

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with the South West Ambulance Trust to provide emergency medical cover to areas of Devon and Somerset. These are areas that have been identified as having a greater need for ambulance cover. The aim of a co-responder team is to preserve life until the arrival of either a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) or an ambulance. Co-responder vehicles are equipped with oxygen and automatic external defibrillation (AED) equipment.

As of May 2008, Co-responder stations in Devon have begun rolling out a dedicated vehicle for Co-responder calls. The new light vehicle replaces the fire appliance which was used previously. There is some controversy over this as the new vehicles are funded entirely by fire service money despite having no use for fire service duties.

Devon fire stations operating as co-responders:

• Combe Martin (07)
• Hartland (08)
• Hatherleigh (09)
• Holsworthy (10)
• Lynton (11)
• Woolacombe (16)
• Chagford (23)
• Dawlish (25)
• Moretonhampstead (27)
• Axminster (34)
• Crediton (38)
• Seaton (42)
• Ivybridge (53)
• Princetown (56)

In addition, the following Somerset fire stations have been set up as co-responders:

• Porlock (68)
• Dulverton (64)
• Cheddar (76)
• Nether Stowey (67)
• Williton (71)
• Crewkerne (77)

A full list of Devon and Somerset's front-line and special appliances can be found here

[edit] Station Grounds

[edit] The M5 Motorway

The M5 motorway is the arterial route through Devon and Somerset. It is the main link to the south west from London, Bristol and the North. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service divide the M5 in to sections so that the nearest appliances attend.

Station Grounds for M5

Northbound - Bravo

• J31 - J30 : (32) Exeter
• J30 - J29 : (45) Topsham
• J29 - J28 : (32) Exeter
• J28 - J27 : (39) Cullompton
• J27 - J26 : (39) Cullompton
• J26 - J25 : (70) Wellington
• J25 - J24 : (61) Taunton
• J24 - J23 : (62) Bridgwater
• J23 - J22 : (62) Bridgwater
• J22 - J21 : (63) Burnham-On-Sea

Southbound - Alpha

• J21 - J22 : (Avon FRS) Weston-Super-Mare (Avon FRS)
• J22 - J23 : (63) Burnham-On-Sea
• J23 - J24 : (62) Bridgwater
• J24 - J25 : (62) Bridgwater
• J25 - J26 : (61) Taunton
• J26 - J27 : (70) Wellington
• J27 - J28 : (39) Cullompton
• J28 - J29 : (39) Cullompton
• J29 - J30 : (32) Exeter
• J30 - J31 : (45) Topsham

[edit] HMNB Devonport

HMNB Devonport Dockyard, in Plymouth, is home to twenty one of the Royal Navy's fleet of ships and submarines.

The dockyard falls into the station ground of (48) Camels Head, and is backed up by (50) Greenbank. Each part of the dockyard is divided in to risk areas - this then reflects in the level of attendance by the Fire Service.

Some parts of the dockyard are considered a very high risk - therefore attract a high attendance - sometimes as many as four pumping appliances and the aerial ladder platform are mobilised to a fire alarm actuating; in contrast to one pumping appliance to a town dwelling.

[edit] Fire Appliances

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have 200+ appliances.

<All information in this section is reproduced from * Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service>

[edit] Water Tender Ladder

A water tender ladder's major capabilities include pumping up to 3000 litres (660 gallons) per minute between two locations. It has a storage capacity of 1800 litres (396 gallons). The pump carries a range of ladders up to 13.5 metres (44 ft). Inside the cab are four sets of compressed air breathing apparatus. Each pump has several lockers on the external of the pump. Inside there is a set of powered hydraulic rescue equipment, a thermal imaging camera, water rescue equipment, a positive pressure fans and safety at height equipment.

[edit] Water Tender

These appliances are broadly similar to the water tender ladders, but carry a different range of equipment, with ladders up to 10.5 metres. They are not the primary responder to a road traffic collision - despite carrying hydaulic cutting equipment, the equipment is not as robust or effective as of that carried on a Water Tender Ladder. The water tenders are used to support water tender ladders at property fires and to attend miscellaneous calls. A water tender, like its counterpart, is capable of carrying up to six fire fighters.

[edit] Incident Command Vehicle (ICV)

These vehicles perform the role of an on site control point, providing a single point of contact with the control rooms. The control units, based at Ilfracombe, Totnes, Exmouth and Greenbank, are mobilised to large or protracted incidents. Often, they are mobilised when four or more appliances are mobilised; or when the Incident Commander requests the attendance of additional appliances, taking the total to four or more. They control all communications on the incident ground and provide a single point of contact for the control room and Incident Commanders.

The Incident Command Vehicles carry the call sign 'C'.

• Ilfracombe - 02C
• Totnes - 31C
• Exmouth - 33C
• Greenbank - 50C

[edit] Environmental and Incident Support Units

These vehicles are used to provide logistical support to large incidents and carry additional equipment that compliments what is carried on front line appliances. They carry a large range of special equipment for controlling chemical spills and protecting the environment.

The Environmental Support Units carry the call sign 'E'. The Incident Support Units carry the call sign 'U.

• Barnstaple - 01E, 01U
• Paignton - 18E, 18U
• Exeter - 32E, 32U
• Ivybridge - 53E, 53U

[edit] Water Foam Carrier

The FRS use a number of water carriers, which enable large quantities of water to be transported to support fires in rural areas or where additional water is required. Each carrier holds 9000 litres of water. A number of them also carry 1000 litres (220 gallons) of firefighting foam.

The Water Foam Carriers carry the call sign 'W'.

• Barnstaple - 01W
• Torquay - 17W
• Exeter - 32W
• Plympton - 47W

[edit] Hose Layer

The FRS has two Hose Laying Vehicles which are used to enable the pumping of water from a water source to support a large incident. Each hose layer carries almost 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) of hose.

The Hose Layers carry the call sign 'H'.

• Honiton - 40H
• Tavistock - 57H

[edit] Multi Role Vehicle

The Multi Role Vehicle (MRV) is primarily used as a foam unit that is used to support firefighting operations involving petrol, fuels and other hydrocarbons. There are a number of hydrocarbon installations in the region and considerable amounts are transported through the region by road and rail. These units also support aircraft incidents both on airfield sites and in remote locations.

The Multi Role Vehicle carries the call sign 'M'.

• Plympton - 47M

[edit] Rescue Vehicle

These vehicles carry a wide range of special equipment that is used to support operations at road traffic collisions and other rescue situations. They carry boats to provide water borne rescue capabilities, along with other equipment to assist at different rescue situations.

The Rescue Vehicle carries the call sign 'R'.

• Exmouth - 33R

[edit] Aerial Ladder Platform

Aerial Ladder Platforms, also known as Brontos, are located at strategic locations across the FRS. They all have a working height of 30 metres (98 ft) and are used both to carry out rescues from height, and also as firefighting platforms. They are also used to give firefighters safe access into fires. Occasionally they are also used to monitor a fire from above, or provide lighting.

The Aerial Ladder Platforms carry the call sign '4'.

• Barnstaple - 014
• Torquay - 174
• Exeter - 324
• Camels Head - 484
• Crownhill - 494

[edit] Fireboat

The Fireboat "Vigiles" is located in Plymouth and is used to protect the Royal Naval Dockyard, the oil storage facilities and the commercial shipping that uses the port. Its high speed enables it to carry out a rescue role.

The Fireboat carries the call sign 'F'.

• Plymstock - 51F

[edit] Off Road Appliances

Due to the rural nature of Devon and Somerset, a number of vehicles are used that are capable of reaching fires that occur on the commons, moors and heathlands of the region. These all carry specialised firefighting equipment designed for the purpose.

[edit] Lines Rescue Unit

Specially trained crews use these vehicles to carry out rescues on the cliffs and quarry faces across the region.

The Lines Rescue Units carry the call sign 'S'.

• Ilfracombe - 02S
• Camels Head - 48S

[edit] Support Vehicles

These vehicles, commonly known as Rangers, are used to support operations by providing logistics and access in difficult terrain. In some cases they may be fitted with special firefighting units to support heath and moorland fires.

The Rangers carry the call sign 'V'.

[edit] Incident Response Unit (IRU)

The fire and rescue service operates three Incident Response Units (IRUs). They are stationed at Chelston Business Park, near Wellington in Somerset and Okehampton and Bovey Tracey Fire Stations in Devon.

They are supplied by the Department for Communities and Local Government, to respond to an incident involving mass decontamination - defined as incidents where more than one person can be decontaminated simultaneously using the same equipment.

Each IRU is maintained by a host station with assistance from support stations which all receive training on the equipment at regular periods throughout the year.

The Incident Response Units carry the call sign 'D'.

• Okehampton - 13D
• Bovey Tracey - 20D

See External links for more information on the IRU.

[edit] Urban Search and Rescue

The FRS has an Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR), one of 21 teams strategically located around England and Wales. They are equipped with five modules carrying varying equipment to deal with a large range of incidents including structural collapse, large transport incidents, open area searches, heavy lifting operations, shoring and many more.

See External links for more information on USAR.

[edit] See Also

• Fire service in the United Kingdom

[edit] External links

• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Newsdesk
• Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
• Devon Fire and Rescue Service
• Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue corporate plan
• Urban Search and Rescue
• Pinzgauer
• Supacat

[edit] News Links

• 2nd January 2008 Town raises concerns on fire cuts
• 4th February 2008 Union's concerns over fire changes
• 22nd February 2008 Fire call centre 'ready to open'
• DSFRS Announces Financial Settlement for 2008/09

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