Fire service plans faster house fire response times

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue could tighten its response time to risk to life incidents from 10 mins to nine

A fire service is proposing to tighten its response time to life-threatening house fires from 10 minutes to nine.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service also proposes extending expected response times for road traffic collisions and other emergencies.

The service has opened a public consultation on the new targets, with residents being asked to share their views on the priorities for the service over the next five years.

Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: "It's important that members of the public share their views on our proposals. We firmly believe they will help contribute to keeping our communities safe."

The fire service stated that response times depend on factors such as location and weather conditions.

It currently sets itself a single standard of response to attend all incidents within an average of 10 minutes after receiving the first 999 call to the control room.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has asked residents to give feedback on new proposals to the service

In 2024, 57% per cent of incidents were attended within the 10-minute standard - and this level has remained relatively stable since 2020, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The number of incidents attended within 10 minutes rose to 70% when looking solely at primary home fires.

The average response time for road traffic collisions with a risk to life, fires in non-primary dwellings, and rescues from height or water is proposed to be changed to 12 minutes, which is a two-minute increase from the current blanket target.

All other calls for service for non-life-threatening incidents will be sent within 60 minutes.

'Benchmark'

"This will not impact how long it takes for a fire engine to arrive at an incident," Ms Watson added.

"Our crews will continue to reach incidents as quickly and safely as they can.

"Updated standards of response will provide us with a more accurate and reliable picture of our performance and the service that we offer.

"Having targets in place that have been shaped by data-led evidence will allow us to benchmark against other Services both regionally and nationally – and will help us to deliver an exceptional fire and rescue service for all our residents."

The five strategic priorities the service has proposed include improving fire safety in buildings, developing the workforce and investment to ensure it is fit for the future.

Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: "These are to put prevention at the heart of everything we do; work collaboratively to support our most vulnerable residents; and bring our fire staff out into the community and make them more visible and accessible for our residents."

The consultation period will end on 21 May.