Accommodation "unlikely" to be added to Fire Service HQ

Monday 07 November 2022

It is "unlikely" that the Fire Service will transform part of its headquarters into accommodation in line with an official recommendation.

The suggestions that the St. Helier site could be "imaginatively developed" to include accommodation alongside a new Fire and Ambulance station and Headquarters was one of the 12 key recommendations from an independent review of the Fire and Rescue Service released last week.

The review suggested that the creation of accommodation at the Fire Station would allow the Service to consider different operating models, such as Close Proximity Crewing or similar, to help maintain cover. It was also suggested that this could allow the Service to explore secondments from the UK to help with capacity.

The review added that the development of accommodation units could also create commercial opportunities for the Fire Service with the example of holiday lets.

However, Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said it was "unlikely" this will come to fruition - instead, he explained that the Fire Service plans to take on the general advice of the recommendation but "deliver it differently."

Pictured: Chief Fire Officer, Paul Brown and Chief Ambulance Officer, Pete Gavey.

"In Jersey, space is premium so instead we want to get involved with the key work that is going on across Government, not just for Government employees, to provide accommodation or options for accommodation. We know that is a key priority for Government in the future in we want to be part of that," he said.

He also outlined the complexities of developing in St. Helier due to "competing needs" in the already populated area, particularly the issues around space for a new primary school. 

Chief Fire Officer, Paul Brown emphasised that the crucial issue for a new Fire and Ambulance Station is to ensure that it is “located somewhere where response times are appropriate”.

Pictured: Deputy Helen Miles, the Minister for Home Affairs, presenting the findings of the reviews.

The comments came during a press conference about the Fire Service review, which was released at the same time as one into the Ambulance Service.

Both found that Inadequate staffing, funding issues and low morale are hampering the emergency services. Presenting the findings of both reviews last week, Home Affairs Minister Deputy Helen Miles said there is "no cause for alarm".

The reviews were undertaken and reports were produced earlier this year, but the Government only shared the findings for the first time at the press conference in which it also confirmed a £9.5m investment over the next four years for both services.

Speaking about the Fire Service review, Deputy Miles said: “I’m pleased that the report recognised the Service’s ‘openness, transparency, and desire to improve’ by requesting the review and the Chief Fire Officer and senior officer colleagues are already working on implementation work for the wider plan.

“Many of the recommendations are being addressed as part of a strategic action plan which I have committed to supporting and investing in as part of my Ministerial Plan."