Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Encyclopedia
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
fire and rescue service covering the counties of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, including the unitary authorities of Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
and Torbay
Torbay
Torbay is an east-facing bay and natural harbour, at the western most end of Lyme Bay in the south-west of England, situated roughly midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Part of the ceremonial county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998...
, in South West England
South West England
South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...
. It is the fifth largest fire and rescue service in the United Kingdom.
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. Devon Fire Brigade was formed in 1973, by the amalgamation of Exeter City Brigade, Plymouth City Brigade and Devon County Brigade. It became Devon Fire and Rescue Service in 1987.
It is organised operationally into three divisions: Central, Western and Somerset. The service's main headquarters is located at Clyst St George near Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
.
Its main training centre is the Service Training Centre (STC) at Plympton fire station.
The service employs 2,300 staff, including 798 whole time firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s and control room staff, 1,208 retained firefighter
Retained firefighter
A retained firefighter, also known as a Firefighter working the Retained Duty System , RDS Firefighter, part-time firefighter or on-call firefighter, in the United Kingdom and Ireland is a professional firefighter who may have full-time employment outside of the fire service but responds to...
s and 249 non-uniformed staff.
Each county still operates its own control room, in Devon at Service Headquarters, Exeter and in Somerset at Hestercombe House
Hestercombe House
Hestercombe House is a historic country house in the parish of West Monkton in the Quantock Hills, near Taunton in Somerset, England. Its restoration to Gertrude Jekyll's original plans have made it "one of the best Jekyll-Lutyens gardens open to the public on a regular basis", visited by...
, Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
. As part of the FiReControl
FiReControl
FiReControl was a project, initiated in the UK in March 2004, to reduce the number of control rooms used to handle emergency calls for fire services and authorities. Presently there are 46 control rooms in England that handle calls from the local public for emergency assistance via the 999 system...
project, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue's control rooms were planned to switch regional control centre in Taunton. Devon's was originally scheduled to take place in January 2010 and Somerset's was scheduled for October 2009, but the plan was scrapped entirely in December 2010.
Fire stations
Fire station
A fire station is a structure or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus , personal protective equipment, fire hose, fire extinguishers, and other fire extinguishing equipment...
s, of which 14 are crewed day and night (wholetime), one day crewed (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00), two volunteer, one special operations station and the remainder are crewed by retained firefighter
Retained firefighter
A retained firefighter, also known as a Firefighter working the Retained Duty System , RDS Firefighter, part-time firefighter or on-call firefighter, in the United Kingdom and Ireland is a professional firefighter who may have full-time employment outside of the fire service but responds to...
s 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:
- 6 whole time stations
- 8 whole time/retained stations
- 1 day crewed (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00)
- 67 retained stations (the largest number in England)
- 2 volunteer stations
- 1 special operations station (USARUrban search and rescueUrban search and rescue involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces due to natural disasters, structural collapse, transportation accidents, mines and collapsed trenches.USAR teams in different countries may be organised in a...
)
Devon wholetime
- Western Command: 48 Camels Head (water tender ladder, water tender, aerial ladder platform, line rescue unit, Ranger 4x4), 49 CrownhillCrownhillCrownhill is an area of northern Plymouth, in the English county of Devon.-Overview:It was originally known as Knackersknowle, meaning "the hill of the knacker's yard". In 1860 a fort was built on a high piece of land, just to the north west of the village, on the site of a building called Crown...
(water tender ladder, aerial ladder platform, turntable ladder, two reserve water tender ladders), 50 GreenbankGreenbank, PlymouthGreenbank is part of the city of Plymouth in the county of Devon, England.Greenbank lies to the west of Freedom Fields, a park preserving the approximate site of a battle during the English Civil War. It is a Victorian and Edwardian residential area with many small public houses and shops, and is...
(water tender ladder, water tender, incident command vehicle), 47 PlymptonPlymptonPlympton, or Plympton Maurice or Plympton St Maurice or Plympton St Mary or Plympton Erle, in south-western Devon, England is an ancient stannary town: an important trading centre in the past for locally mined tin, and a former seaport...
(water tender ladder, water foam carrier, prime mover,foam pod, handyman vehicle, reserve water tender), 51 PlymstockPlymstockPlymstock is a civil parish and commuter suburb of Plymouth in the English county of Devon.The earliest surviving documentary reference to the place is as Plemestocha in the Domesday Book and its name is derived from Old English meaning either "outlying farm with a plum-tree" or, if it is short for...
(water tender ladder, fireboat)
All of the above are in the Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
area.
- Central Command: 59 Middlemoor, ExeterExeterExeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
(water tender ladder)
Devon wholetime / retained
- Central Command: 01 BarnstapleBarnstapleBarnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
(water tender ladder, water tender, aerial ladder platform, water foam carrier, handyman vehicle, Ranger 4x4, line rescue unit), 32 Danes Castle, ExeterExeterExeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
(water tender ladder, water tender, aerial ladder platform, water foam carrier, handyman vehicle, Ranger 4x4), 33 ExmouthExmouth, DevonExmouth is a port town, civil parish and seaside resort in East Devon, England, sited on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe. In 2001, it had a population of 32,972.-History:...
(water tender ladder, water tender 4x4, incident command vehicle, Ranger 4x4), 60 USAR, service headquartersUrban search and rescueUrban search and rescue involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces due to natural disasters, structural collapse, transportation accidents, mines and collapsed trenches.USAR teams in different countries may be organised in a...
(pick-up, prime mover, prime mover module 1, prime mover module 4 (+ Bobcat), prime mover (+ Sub module), USAR Timber)
- Western Command: 18 PaigntonPaigntonPaignton is a coastal town in Devon in England. Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the unitary authority of Torbay which was created in 1998. The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera. Paignton's population in the United Kingdom Census of 2001 was 48,251. It has...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 17 TorquayTorquayTorquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
(two water tender ladders, water tender, aerial ladder platform, water foam carrier, handyman vehicle, Ranger 4x4)
Devon day crewed
- Central Command: 02 IlfracombeIlfracombeIlfracombe is a seaside resort and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs.The parish stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west...
(water tender ladder, water tender, incident command vehicle, Ranger 4x4)
Devon retained
- Central Command: 03 Appledore (water tender ladder), 34 AxminsterAxminsterAxminster is a market town and civil parish on the eastern border of Devon in England. The town is built on a hill overlooking the River Axe which heads towards the English Channel at Axmouth, and is in the East Devon local government district. It has a population of 5,626. The market is still...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 35 BamptonBampton, DevonBampton is a small town in Devon, England close to the south-eastern corner of Exmoor and on the River Batherm, a tributary of the River Exe. It is about 10 km north of Tiverton.-History:...
(water tender ladder), 04 BidefordBidefordBideford is a small port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is also the main town of the Torridge local government district.-History:...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 05 BrauntonBrauntonBraunton is situated west of Barnstaple, Devon, England and is claimed to be the largest village in England, with a population in 2001 of 7,510. It is home to the nearby Braunton Great Field and Braunton Burrows, a National Nature and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve....
(water tender ladder), 36 Budleigh SaltertonBudleigh SaltertonBudleigh Salterton is a small town on the south coast of Devon, England 15 miles south of Exeter. It is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designated East Devon AONB.- Features :...
(water tender ladder), 06 ChulmleighChulmleighChulmleigh is a remote, Saxon hilltop town and civil parish located in North Devon in the heart of the English county of Devon. It is located north west of Exeter, just north of the Mid Devon boundary, linked by the A377 and B3096 roads. In 2001 the population of the parish was 1,308.Chulmleigh...
(water tender ladder), 37 ColytonColyton, DevonColyton is a small town in Devon, England. It is located within the East Devon local authority area. It is 3 miles away from Seaton and 6 miles away from Axminster. Its population in 1991 was 2,783.-History:...
(water tender ladder), 07 Combe MartinCombe MartinCombe Martin is a village and civil parish on the North Devon coast about east of Ilfracombe. It is a small seaside resort with a sheltered cove on the edge of the Exmoor National Park...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 38 CreditonCreditonCrediton is a town and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon in England. It stands on the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, about north west of Exeter. It has a population of 6,837...
(water tender ladder, water tender, emergency response unit, prime mover, environmental pod, incident support unit), 39 CullomptonCullomptonCullompton is a civil parish and town in Devon, England, locally known as Cully. It is miles north-north-east of Exeter and lies on the River Culm. In 2010 it had a population of 8,639 and is growing rapidly....
(water tender ladder), 08 HartlandHartland, DevonThe town of Hartland, which incorporates the hamlet of Stoke to the west and the village of Meddon in the south, is the most north-westerly settlement in the county of Devon, England....
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 09 HatherleighHatherleighHatherleigh is a small market town in west Devon, England.It hosts an arts festival in July, and a carnival in November featuring two flaming tar barrel runs. The Walruses meet on New Year's Day to jump into the River Lew to raise money for local good causes...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 10 HolsworthyHolsworthy, DevonHolsworthy is a market town in the north west of Devon, England. It is situated near the county border with Cornwall, and is 9 miles from the coastal resort of Bude. It is on the intersection of the A388 and A3072 roads, and lies on the River Deer, a tributary of the Tamar...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 40 HonitonHonitonHoniton is a town and civil parish in East Devon, situated close to the River Otter, north east of Exeter in the county of Devon. The town's name is pronounced in two ways, and , each pronunciation having its adherents...
(two water tender ladder, hoselayer), 11 LyntonLyntonLynton is a small town in Devon, England. It lies on the northern edge of Exmoor and is located at the top of a gorge above Lynmouth, to which it is connected by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway...
(water tender ladder, water tender 4x4, emergency response unit), 12 North TawtonNorth TawtonNorth Tawton is a small town in Devon, England, situated on the river Taw.-History:The Romans crossed the River Taw at what is now Newland Mill, a little outside the present town, and established a succession of military camps there over the years...
(water tender ladder), 13 OkehamptonOkehamptonOkehampton is a town and civil parish in West Devon in the English county of Devon. It is situated at the northern edge of Dartmoor, and has an estimated population of 7,155.-History:...
(two water tender ladder, incident response unit), 41 Ottery St MaryOttery St MaryOttery St Mary, known as "Ottery" , is a town in the East Devon district of Devon, England, on the River Otter, about ten miles east of Exeter on the B3174. It is part of a large civil parish of the same name, which also covers the villages of West Hill, Metcombe, Fairmile, Alfington, Tipton St...
(water tender ladder), 42 SeatonSeaton, DevonSeaton is a seaside town in East Devon on the south coast of England. It faces onto Lyme Bay, to the west of the mouth of the River Axe with red cliffs to one side and white cliffs on the other. Axmouth and Beer are nearby...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 43 SidmouthSidmouthSidmouth is a small town on the English Channel coast in Devon, South West England. The town lies at the mouth of the River Sid in the East Devon district, south east of Exeter. It has a population of about 15,000, of whom 40% are over 65....
(water tender ladder, water tender), 14 South MoltonSouth Molton"Molton" redirects here. Or see Molten or Moulton.South Molton is a small town in Devon, England. It is part of the North Devon local government district. The town is on the River Mole. According to the 2001 census the civil parish of South Molton had a population of 4,093.The town was one of...
(water tender ladder), 44 Tiverton (water tender ladder, water tender), 45 TopshamTopsham, DevonTopsham is a suburb of Exeter in the county of Devon, England, on the east side of the River Exe, immediately north of its confluence with the River Clyst and the former's estuary, between Exeter and Exmouth. Although village-sized, with a current population of around 5,023, it was designated a...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 15 TorringtonGreat TorringtonGreat Torrington is a small market town in the north of Devon, England. Parts of it are sited on high ground with steep drops down to the River Torridge below...
(water tender ladder),46 WitheridgeWitheridgeWitheridge is a village and civil parish in the North Devon district of Devon, England. In 2001 the population of the parish was 1162. Its name is derived from the Old English for "Weather Ridge", probably as a result of its exposed location on the top of a hill, which means it and surrounding...
(water tender ladder), 16 WoolacombeWoolacombeWoolacombe is a seaside resort on the coast of North Devon, England, which lies at the mouth of a valley . The beach, which has Blue Flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities, is long, sandy, gently sloping and faces the Atlantic Ocean near the...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit)
- Western Command: 19 AshburtonAshburton, DevonAshburton is a small town on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, adjacent to the A38 Devon Expressway.It was formerly important as a stannary town , and remains the largest town within the National Park, with a population of around 3,500...
(water tender ladder), 52 Bere AlstonBere AlstonBere Alston is a small village in West Devon in the county of Devon in England. It forms part of the civil parish of Bere Ferrers.-History and geography:...
(water tender ladder), 20 Bovey TraceyBovey TraceyBovey Tracey is a small town in Devon, England, on the edge of Dartmoor, its proximity to which gives rise to the "slogan" used on the town's boundary signs, "The Gateway to the Moor". The locals just call the town "Bovey" ....
(water tender ladder, Ranger 4x4, incident response unit), 21 BrixhamBrixhamBrixham is a small fishing town and civil parish in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of Torbay, across the bay from Torquay, and is a fishing port. Fishing and tourism are its major industries. At the time of the 2001 census it had a population of...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 22 BuckfastleighBuckfastleighBuckfastleigh is a small market town and civil parish in Devon, England situated beside the Devon Expressway at the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. It is part of Teignbridge District and, for ecclesiastical purposes lies within the Totnes Deanery. It has a population of 3,661...
(water tender ladder), 23 ChagfordChagfordChagford is a small town and civil parish on the north-east edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, England, close to the River Teign. It is located off the A382, about 4 miles west of Moretonhampstead. The name Chagford is derived from the word chag, meaning gorse or broom, and the ford suffix indicates its...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 24 DartmouthDartmouth, DevonDartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 25 DawlishDawlishDawlish is a town and civil parish in Teignbridge on the south coast of Devon in England, from the county town of Exeter. It has a population of 12,819...
(water tender ladder, Ranger 4x4, emergency response unit), 53 IvybridgeIvybridgeIvybridge is a small town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It lies about east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 "Devon Expressway" road...
(water tender ladder, prime mover, environmental pod, incident support unit, emergency response unit), 26 KingsbridgeKingsbridgeKingsbridge is a market town and popular tourist hub in the South Hams district of Devon, England, with a population of about 5,800. It is situated at the northern end of the Kingsbridge Estuary, which is a textbook example of a ria and extends to the sea six miles south of the town.-History:The...
(water tender ladder), 55 ModburyModburyModbury is a town and parish in the South Hams region of the English county of Devon. It is situated on the A379 road, which links it to Plymouth and Kingsbridge...
(water tender ladder), 27 MoretonhampsteadMoretonhampsteadMoretonhampstead lies on the edge of Dartmoor and is notable for having the longest one-word name of any place in England. The parish church is dedicated to St. Andrew. George Oliver and John Pike Jones , 1828, Exeter: E. Woolmer. Moretonhampstead is twinned with Betton in France.-History:The...
(water tender ladder, emergency response unit), 28 Newton AbbotNewton AbbotNewton Abbot is a market town and civil parish in the Teignbridge District of Devon, England on the River Teign, with a population of 23,580....
(water tender ladder, water tender), 56 PrincetownPrincetownPrincetown is a town situated on Dartmoor in the English county of Devon.In 1785, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Secretary to the Prince of Wales, leased a large area of moorland from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, hoping to convert it into good farmland. He encouraged people to live in the area and suggested...
(water tender 4x4, emergency response unit), 29 SalcombeSalcombeSalcombe is a town in the South Hams district of Devon, south west England. The town is close to the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, built mostly on the steep west side of the estuary and lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
(water tender ladder), 57 Tavistock (water tender ladder, water tender, hoselayer, Ranger 4x4), 30 TeignmouthTeignmouthTeignmouth is a town and civil parish in Teignbridge in the English county of Devon, situated on the north bank of the estuary mouth of the River Teign about 14 miles south of Exeter. It has a population of 14,413. In 1690, it was the last place in England to be invaded by a foreign power...
(water tender ladder, water tender), 31 TotnesTotnesTotnes is a market town and civil parish at the head of the estuary of the River Dart in Devon, England within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
(water tender ladder, water tender, incident command vehicle, Ranger 4x4), 58 YelvertonYelverton, DevonYelverton is a large village on the south-western edge of Dartmoor, Devon, in England.When the village's railway station opened in the 19th century, the village became a popular residence for Plymouth commuters...
(water tender ladder)
Devon volunteer
- Central Command: 85 Lundy Island (Ranger 4x4, Bowser, two trailer pumps) - Lundy Island now has a formally recognised fire station. Up until June 2008 the fire station had little support from its mainland companions, other than training. The fire station has been given official volunteer status (its crew is made up of 9 volunteers, most of which are coastguard volunteers too). The island was presented with its own Ranger to assist with tackling incidents. The Service was assisted by the Royal Marines in transporting the vehicle to Lundy.
- Western Command: 54 KingstonKingston, DevonKingston is civil parish and small scattered village in the South Hams, Devon, England. It is three miles south west of Modbury, and about a mile from the mouth of the River Erme at Wonwell. See the entry for Erme Mouth. In 2001 the population of the parish was 399. It has a small village hall -...
(water tender 4x4)
Somerset wholetime / retained
- Somerset Command: 62 BridgwaterBridgwaterBridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
(two water tender ladders, water tender, aerial ladder platform, water foam carrier, incident command vehicle, hoselayer, animal rescue tender, light 4x4 vehicle, danteen unit, Fire and Emergency Support Service (British Red Cross), 61 TauntonTauntonTaunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
(two water tender ladders, water tender, aerial ladder platform, incident support unit, rescue tender, incident response unit, two High Volume Pumps, light 4x4 vehicle), 73 YeovilYeovilYeovil is a town and civil parish in south Somerset, England. The parish had a population of 27,949 at the 2001 census, although the wider urban area had a population of 42,140...
(water tender ladder, two water tenders, aerial ladder platform, water foam carrier, incident support unit, rescue tender, light 4x4 vehicle)
Somerset retained
- Somerset Command: 63 Burnham-on-SeaBurnham-on-SeaBurnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small village until the late 18th century, when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge...
(water tender ladder, water tender, Bulk Foam Tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 74 Castle CaryCastle CaryCastle Cary is a market town and civil parish in south Somerset, England, north west of Wincanton and south of Shepton Mallet.The town is situated on the River Cary, a tributary of the Parrett.-History:...
(water tender ladder, light 4x4 vehicle, 75 ChardChard, SomersetChard is a town and civil parish in the Somerset county of England. It lies on the A30 road near the Devon border, south west of Yeovil. The parish has a population of approximately 12,000 and, at an elevation of , it is the southernmost and highest town in Somerset...
(water tender ladder, water tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 76 CheddarCheddarCheddar is a large village and civil parish in the Sedgemoor district of the English county of Somerset. It is situated on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills, north-west of Wells. The civil parish includes the hamlets of Nyland and Bradley Cross...
(water tender ladder, Pinzgauer, light 4x4 vehicle, emergency response unit), Chelston Workshops (reserves two water tenders, light 4x4 vehicle, water foam carrier, rescue tender), 77 CrewkerneCrewkerneCrewkerne is a town in Somerset, England, situated south west of Yeovil and east of Chard in the South Somerset district close to the border with Dorset. The civil parish of West Crewkerne includes the hamlets of Woolminstone and Henley...
(water tender ladder, light 4x4 vehicle), 64 DulvertonDulvertonDulverton is a town and civil parish in the heart of West Somerset, England, near the border with Devon. The town has a population of 1,630. The parish includes the hamlets of Battleton and Ashwick which is located approximately north west of Dulverton...
(water tender ladder, Pinzgauer, light 4x4 vehicle, emergency response unit), 78 FromeFromeFrome is a town and civil parish in northeast Somerset, England. Located at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills, the town is built on uneven high ground, and centres around the River Frome. The town is approximately south of Bath, east of the county town, Taunton and west of London. In the 2001...
(water tender ladder, water tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 65 GlastonburyGlastonburyGlastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
(water tender 4x4, rescue tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 79 IlminsterIlminsterIlminster is a country town and civil parish in the countryside of south west Somerset, England, with a population of 4,781. Bypassed a few years ago, the town now lies just east of the intersection of the A303 and the A358...
(water tender ladder, incident command vehicle), 80 MartockMartockMartock is a large village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels north west of Yeovil in the South Somerset district. The parish includes Hurst, approximately one mile south of the village, and Bower Hinton, which is located at the western end of the...
(water tender ladder, water tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 66 MineheadMineheadMinehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park...
(water tender ladder, water tender 4x4, light 4x4 vehicle), 67 Nether StoweyNether StoweyNether Stowey is a large village in the Sedgemoor district of Somerset, South West England. It sits in the foothills of the Quantock Hills , just below Over Stowey...
(water tender 4x4, Brendon pump unit, emergency response unit), 68 PorlockPorlockPorlock is a coastal village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated in a deep hollow below Exmoor, west of Minehead. The parish, which includes Hawkcombe and Doverhay, has a population of 1,377....
(water tender 4x4, Supacat, light 4x4 vehicle, emergency response unit), 81 Shepton MalletShepton MalletShepton Mallet is a small rural town and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset in South West England. Situated approximately south of Bristol and east of Wells, the town is estimated to have a population of 9,700. It contains the administrative headquarters of Mendip District Council...
(water tender ladder, water tender, Brendon pump unit), 82 SomertonSomertonSomerton is a small town and civil parish in the South Somerset district of the English county of Somerset. It gave its name to the county of Somerset, was briefly, around the start of the 14th century, the county town, and around 900 AD was possibly the capital of Wessex...
(water tender ladder, light 4x4 vehicle), 69 StreetStreet, SomersetStreet is a small village and civil parish in the county of Somerset, England. It is situated on a dry spot in the Somerset Levels, at the end of the Polden Hills, south-west of Glastonbury. The 2001 census records the village as having a population of 11,066...
(water tender ladder, incident command vehicle), 70 WellingtonWellington, SomersetWellington is a small industrial town in rural Somerset, England, situated south west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district, near the border with Devon, which runs along the Blackdown Hills to the south of the town...
(water tender ladder, water tender, light 4x4 vehicle), 83 WellsWellsWells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
(water tender ladder, water tender, Light Utility Vehicle), 71 WillitonWillitonWilliton is a medium-sized village and civil parish in West Somerset, England. It has many of the facilities of a small town, being the administrative centre for the district. Williton is situated at the junction of the A39, A358 and B3191 roads...
(water tender ladder, water tender, light 4x4 vehicle, emergency response unit), 84 WincantonWincantonWincanton is a small town in south Somerset, southwest England. The town lies on the A303 road, the main route between London and South West England, and has some light industry...
(water tender ladder, light 4x4 vehicle), 72 WiveliscombeWiveliscombeWiveliscombe is a town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The town has a population of 2,670. The parish includes the nearby hamlet of Maundown.-History:...
(water tender ladder, incident command vehicle)
Cheddar and Dulverton each operate a Pinzgauer
Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle
The Pinzgauer is a family of high-mobility all-terrain 4WD and 6WD military utility vehicles. They were manufactured in Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom, by BAE Systems Land & Armaments. The vehicle was originally developed in the late 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Graz, Austria, and was named...
which is a specially built 6x6 vehicle. They are located to tackle tough terrains in their respective locations.
The Supacat
All Terrain Mobility Platform
The UK All Terrain Mobility Platform is commonly known by the name of its manufacturer Supacat. It is a lightweight, 6-wheeled vehicle used by airborne and air-mobile forces of the British Army....
at Porlock is a high mobility fire fighting appliance. It is transported on a trailer to incidents that are difficult to access.
Co-responder stations
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with South Western Ambulance ServiceSouth Western Ambulance Service
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is the authority responsible for providing ambulance services for the National Health Service in the English counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset...
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
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
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
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
. Co-responder vehicles are equipped with oxygen and automatic external defibrillation (AED)
Defibrillation
Defibrillation is a common treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Defibrillation consists of delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator...
equipment.
Co-responder stations have got a dedicated vehicle for Co-responder calls. The new vehicle known as the emergency response unit (EMS), replaces the fire appliance from going, providing there are enough crew still on duty to allow the fire appliance to remain available.
Fourteen Devon fire stations operate as co-responders:
- Axminster 34
- Chagford 23
- Combe Martin 07
- Crediton 38
- Dawlish 25
- Hartland 08
- Hatherleigh 09
- Holsworthy 10
- Ivybridge 53
- Lynton 11
- Moretonhampstead 27
- Princetown 56
- Seaton 42
- Woolacombe 16
In addition, the following five Somerset fire stations have been set up as co-responders:
- Cheddar 76
- Dulverton 64
- Nether Stowey 67
- Porlock 68
- Williton 71
M5 motorway
The M5 motorwayM5 motorway
The M5 is a motorway in England. It runs from a junction with the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Heading south-west, the M5 runs east of West Bromwich and west of Birmingham through Sandwell Valley...
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. The station grounds are:
- Northbound - Bravo
- J31–J30 : 59 Middlemoor
- J30–J29 : 59 Middlemoor
- J29–J28 : 59 Middlemoor
- 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 FRSAvon Fire and Rescue ServiceAvon Fire & Rescue Service is the fire and rescue service covering the unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire in South West England.-History:...
18 Weston-super-Mare - 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 : 59 Middlemoor
- J29–J30 : 59 Middlemoor
- J30–J31 : 59 Middlemoor
- J21–J22 : Avon FRS
HMNB Devonport
HMNB DevonportHMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
Dockyard, in Plymouth, is home to twenty one of the Royal Navy's
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
fleet of ships and submarines.
The dockyard falls into the station ground of 48 Camels Head, and is backed up by 49 Crownhill. 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.
Hinkley Point
Hinkley PointHinkley Point
Hinkley Point is a headland on the Bristol Channel coast of Somerset, England, five miles north of Bridgwater and five miles west of Burnham-on-Sea, close to the mouth of the River Parrett....
is a headland on the coast of Somerset. It comprises two nuclear power stations (Hinkley Point A
Hinkley Point A nuclear power station
Hinkley Point A nuclear power station was a Magnox power station located on a site in Somerset on the Bristol Channel coast, west of the River Parrett estuary.-History:...
, which closed in 2000, and Hinkley Point B). Hinkley Point B is the only active site. Hinkley Point has its own fire station, backed up by 67 Nether Stowey and would then be backed up by 62 Bridgwater. There is a planned new nuclear power station that will be Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station
Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is a proposed development for a new nuclear power station in Somerset, England.In September 2008 it was announced, by Electricité de France the new owners of Hinkley Point B, that a third, twin-unit European Pressurised Reactor reactor is planned for Hinkley...
.
Fire appliances
Devon and Somerset use a variety of front-line and special appliances.
Water tender ladder (WrL)
A water tender ladder's major capabilities include pumping up to 3,000 litres (660 gallons) per minute between two locations. It has a storage capacity of 1,800 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. There are occasions when a Water Tender, and not the Water Tender Ladder, would be mobilised first. To keep the Water Tender Ladder 'on the run' and available; the Water Tender may attend incidents where a house is flooded or where someone has locked themselves out. The Water Tender Ladder carries the call sign V station number P1 or P3 e.g. V17P1.
Water tender (WrT)
These appliances are broadly similar to the water tender ladders, but carry a different range of equipment, with ladders up to 10.5 metres (34 ft). 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. The Water Tender carries the call sign V station number P2 e.g. V17P2.
Incident command unit (ICU)
These vehicles perform the role of an on site control point, providing a single point of contact with the control rooms. The control units 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 Vehicle carries the call sign V station number C1 e.g. V33C1.Environmental (EU) and incident support units (ISU) (Prime Mover)
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 unit carries the call sign V station number N2 e.g. V38N2 and Incident Support Unit carries the call sign V station number T2 e.g. V38T2.
Water foam carrier (WFC)
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 9,000 litres of water. A number of them also carry 1,000 litres (220 gallons) of firefighting foam. The Water Foam Carriers carries the call sign V station number W3 e.g. V17W3.Hose layer
The FRS has three 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 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) of hose.The Hose Layers carries the call sign V station number W1 or 2 e.g. V57W1.Multi role vehicle (MRV)
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.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 V station number R1 e.g. V33R1.
Aerial ladder platform (ALP)
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 carries the call sign V station number A1 e.g. V17A1Fireboat
The FireboatFireboat
A fireboat is a specialized watercraft and with pumps and nozzles designed for fighting shoreline and shipboard fires. The first fireboats, dating to the late 18th century, were tugboats, retrofitted with firefighting equipment....
"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.
Off road appliances (WrT)
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. The Off Road Appliances carries the call sign V station number P1 e.g. V56P1.Line 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 carries the call sign V station number R5 e.g. V48R5.Support vehicles (L4P)
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 carries the call sign V station number M5 e.g. V20M5.
Emergency response unit (EMS) (Co-responder vehicle)
Co-responder stations have got a dedicated vehicle for Co-responder calls so the fire appliance to remain available. The vehicles are equipped with oxygen and automated external defibrillatorAutomated external defibrillator
An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of...
(AED) equipment. The Emergency Response Unit carries the call sign V station number V1 e.g. V38V1.
Incident response unit (IRU)
The fire and rescue service operates four Incident Response Units (IRUs). They are stationed at Chelston Business Park, near Wellington and Taunton fire station in Somerset and Okehampton and Bovey Tracey Fire Stations in Devon.They are supplied by the Department for Communities and Local Government
Department for Communities and Local Government
The Department for Communities and Local Government is the UK Government department for communities and local government in England. It was established in May 2006 and is the successor to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, established in 2001...
, 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 carries the call sign V station number H9 e.g. V20H9.
See External links for more information on the IRU.
High volume pump (HVP)
The High Volume Pump have the capability of delivering large volumes of water of great distances utilising additional pumps. They can pump 7,000 litres/min and Hose can be deployed utilising the 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) hose boxes at a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour (11.2 m/s). It also carries a variety of ancillary equipment including, hose adaptors, 5-way manifolds, Y-pieces, gate valves, non-return valves, water safety equipment, harnesses & lanyards, hose ramps, change of direction equipment, edge protection, sack trolley and lighting, cones & tape.Urban search and rescue (USAR)
The FRS has an Urban search and rescueUrban search and rescue
Urban search and rescue involves the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces due to natural disasters, structural collapse, transportation accidents, mines and collapsed trenches.USAR teams in different countries may be organised in a...
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.
The Urban Search and Rescue is station 60 and based at the service's main headquarters, in Exeter.
British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service (FESS)
The British Red Cross fire and emergency support service helps to meet the needs of individuals who have suffered damage to their homes following a domestic property fire, flood or similar emergency. Two units operating in Devon and Somerset based at the based Plymouth Red Cross Centre and Bridgwater Fire Station are dedicated volunteers. What they do includes: Refreshments, Clothing, Toiletries, Use of an onboard telephone, First aid, Sign posting to other organisations, Support with the care of children and pets, Assistance in securing temporary accommodation, Transport to friends/family and Use of shower/washing and toilet facilities.Operations
As part of the FiReControlFiReControl
FiReControl was a project, initiated in the UK in March 2004, to reduce the number of control rooms used to handle emergency calls for fire services and authorities. Presently there are 46 control rooms in England that handle calls from the local public for emergency assistance via the 999 system...
project, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue's control rooms were due switch over to the regional control centre in Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
. Both control rooms were planned to cutover in May 2011, but the plan was formally scrapped in December 2010.
Mutual assistance
The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004
The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.It came into effect on 1 October 2004. It only applies to Great Britain and most provisions apply only in England and Wales...
, gives fire services the power to assist other fire services or fire authorities in what is known as mutual assistance.
The fire services that adjoin the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are as follows:
- Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
- Dorset Fire and Rescue ServiceDorset Fire and Rescue ServiceDorset Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory Fire and Rescue Service for the area of Dorset, South West England. The Service Headquarters were located in Colliton Park, Dorchester, but as of October 2008 moved to a new purpose built location in Poundbury....
- Wiltshire Fire and Rescue ServiceWiltshire Fire and Rescue ServiceWiltshire Fire & Rescue Service is the county-wide, statutory emergency fire and rescue service for the ceremonial county of Wiltshire, England. It is administered by a joint authority of 13 members, 9 appointed by Wiltshire Council and 4 by Swindon Borough Council, called the Wiltshire and Swindon...
- Avon Fire and Rescue ServiceAvon Fire and Rescue ServiceAvon Fire & Rescue Service is the fire and rescue service covering the unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire in South West England.-History:...
- Exeter International Airport Fire and Rescue ServiceExeter International Airport Fire and Rescue ServiceExeter International Airport Fire and Rescue Service is the Fire service for Exeter International Airport, it has three fire engines and two 4x4s. it is backed up by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. The airport fire service provides a service to Category 7 with Category 9 available on...
Notable incidents
On 6 October 2004, the large Trago MillsTrago Mills
Trago Mills is a chain of British department stores situated in the West Country. They are sited in the town of Falmouth, and on the outskirts of two other towns at Liskeard, Cornwall and Newton Abbot, Devon. Large department stores were formerly sparse in the rural west country and Trago Mills has...
shopping centre near Newton Abbot was involved in a major fire, which eventually went to a 25 pump attendance. This was the largest fire in Devon for many years. Due to the efforts of attending crews much of the site was saved and was partially reopened for business just over a week later. At the fires height press reports indicate 15 main jets in use along with three ALP monitors.
In March 2010, firefighter Julian Lawford was charged with manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
following the death of a man from Burtle
Burtle
Burtle is a village and civil parish on the Somerset Levels in the Sedgemoor district of Somerset, England.-History:Burtle Priory originated as a hermitage on a site called Sprauellissmede, endowed by William son of Godfrey of Eddington in 1199...
in August 2009.
The blue lights and sirens on Lawford's fire engine, which was travelling to a road traffic accident, spooked a heard of cows which trampled the 75 year-old herdsman.
In December 2010, Lawford pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving, but the prosecution accepted his plea of guilty to the lesser charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
Children and young people
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has a number of schemes for young people.They operate Four fire cadet units at Taunton, Frome, Newton Abbot and Torquay fire stations, for boys and girls aged 11 to 17 the opportunity to work with Fire and Rescue Service equipment and learn to work together as a team.
Firebreak is a personal development scheme for Key Stage 4 pupils (ages 14–16 years). It provides a novel Fire and Rescue Service themed educational diet designed to compliment and enhance the school curriculum.
Firesetter Intervention programme is designed to address firesetting behaviour amongst children and young people up to the age of 19 years.
Phoenix is a six month programme, primarily designed to reduce fire risk and fire related crime within local communities by working with 'at-risk' young people between the ages of 15–18 years.
Other emergency services
- Devon Air Ambulance TrustDevon Air Ambulance TrustThe Devon Air Ambulance is an organisation providing emergency medical services through the provision of two helicopter air ambulances covering the county of Devon in the South West of England, United Kingdom...
- Dorset and Somerset Air AmbulanceDorset and Somerset Air AmbulanceThe Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a registered charity, which uses a helicopter to provide an air ambulance service to the English counties of Dorset and Somerset. The air ambulance came into service in March 2000, following the success of similar schemes, such as Devon Air Ambulance Trust...
- Devon and Cornwall ConstabularyDevon and Cornwall ConstabularyDevon and Cornwall Police, formerly Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the counties of Devon and Cornwall in England and the unitary authorities of Plymouth, Torbay and the Isles of Scilly....
- South Western Ambulance ServiceSouth Western Ambulance ServiceThe South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is the authority responsible for providing ambulance services for the National Health Service in the English counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset...
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)