New call signs – the letters and numbers identifying our emergency service vehicles - came into effect on 6 January 2009.

The change was part of the preparation for the proposed opening of a national network of regional control centres for the fire and rescue service. The project was scrapped in December 2010, and most fire and rescue services are making alternative collaborative arrangements.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is in the South East region, whose regional control room was to have been based at Fareham, Hampshire.

All our call signs have the prefix FJC:

F identifies the service, Fire.

J identifies the region, the South East.

C identifies the sub-region, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Additional letters and numbers identify the five district or unitary council areas where our 20 fire stations are located, the stations themselves and the types of vehicle (P rescue pump, A aerial appliance/turntable ladder, W water tanker) available.

The council and station numbers are:

1 Milton Keynes (11 Great Holm, 12 Bletchley, 13 Broughton, 14 Newport Pagnell, 15 Olney)

2 Aylesbury Vale (21 Aylesbury, 22 Buckingham, 23 Winslow, 24 Brill,
25 Waddesdon, 26 Haddenham)

3 Chiltern (31 Amersham, 32 Chesham, 33 Great Missenden)

4 Wycombe (41 High Wycombe, 42 Princes Risborough, 43 Stokenchurch,
44 Marlow)

5 South Bucks (51 Beaconsfield, 52 Gerrards Cross)

So the first rescue pump at Great Holm Fire Station – previously known as Great Holm 1, shortened to GHO1 – is now known as FJC 11P1.

You will find a full list of call signs, along with pictures of all our emergency vehicles, here.