Click on the cover above to open or download a PDF. Full details of how
to take part in the consultation appear on page 22. Alternatively, go to www.bucksfire.gov.uk/bucksfire/psp, where you will find links to the consultation document, supporting documents and the online survey.

21 June 2011

A 10-week consultation period has started today following the publication of the draft five-year blueprint for the future of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The Public Safety Plan 2012-17, published by Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, contains a number of options for consideration as the organisation seeks to make savings and find more flexible ways of working.

The 24-page document invites comments on proposals to carry out four reviews. These will focus on:

• Aerial appliance provision and crewing arrangements. An aerial appliance is a vehicle with an extending turntable ladder that enables firefighters to work at heights of up to 32 metres.
  
  
• Crewing arrangements at day-crewed fire stations. Day-crewed fire stations are crewed by full-time firefighters between 9am and 6pm, seven days a week, with night cover provided by the same crew on an on-call basis.
  
  
• Provision of appliances and crewing arrangements at wholetime fire stations. Wholetime fire stations are crewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by full-time firefighters.
  
  
• Urban Search and Rescue provision and crewing arrangements. Our Urban Search and Rescue staff, equipment and vehicles form part of a national network of bases which help deal with the aftermath of major emergencies such as collapsed buildings, major transportation incidents, natural disasters and terrorist activity.

People are being invited to comment by taking part in an online survey, or by email or letter.

Councillor David Rowlands, Chairman of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said: “This is an important survey that concerns all residents, the business community, other public or voluntary agencies with whom we work and our own staff.

"We would welcome views on all the proposals even if they do not specifically affect areas in which you live or work.”

The closing date for responses is 9am on Tuesday 30 August 2011. Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority will consider the feedback at its meeting on Wednesday 28 September.