An estimated 40 per cent of all fires are relatively minor, yet traditionally they are dealt with by a full fire appliance and crew. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has introduced targeted response vehicles (TRVs) to provide a more effective and efficient way of dealing with such incidents. TRVs are smaller appliances that can be crewed by between two and four riders, according to circumstances, yet they carry virtually the same kit as a main appliance. Using TRVs means that main appliances are more likely to be available to tackle life-threatening emergencies.
CFRS has installed TRVs as extra appliances at two single-pump retained duty stations. As well as ensuring that staff and appliances can be used more flexibly, the TRVs can also provide support at incidents requiring a second pump back-up. Previously this cover would have been provided by a neighbouring wholetime station. Those crews can now devote more time to their own station area and have extra time for training and community fire safety (CFS) work.
A further two TRVs have replaced old, standard appliances at two stations that operate on a day crewing system. Here the TRVs can be sent either as back-up to large incidents, or as the single appliance to smaller incidents at night. The two standard appliances have now been transferred to a strategic reserve of six fully-kitted appliances available during major emergencies when cover is provided on a retained basis.
The vehicles are also considered a service-wide resource, and can be moved around to deal with specific events or initiatives, such as the bonfire season. At present, there are no plans to reduce the number of firefighters on the basis of introducing TRVs. Instead, they are being deployed primarily to free up wholetime firefighter time for additional community safety activity.
There are cashable and environmental benefits. Initial purchase costs are approximately a third less, running costs are less than half those of a standard appliance, and they emit far less carbon dioxide. There are also some minor cost savings when TRVs attend minor incidents with crews of two to three, instead of four on a standard appliance, thus reducing the number of disturbance fees paid to retained duty firefighters. The table below sets out the total cost savings.
| Cost |
TRV |
Standard appliance |
Saving |
| Initial capital cost |
£100,000 |
£150,000 |
£50,000 |
| Anticipated ten-year life costs (fuel plus maintenance) |
£60,000 |
£143,000 |
£83,000 |
| Annual CO2 emissions |
60,000 tonnes |
180,000 tonnes |
120,000 tonnes |
Changes to day-crewing arrangements
CFRS has also amended contracts for firefighters on day-crewed stations. Day-crewing requires a pool of firefighters to provide cover on a wholetime basis during the day, and on a retained basis at night from homes adjacent to the station provided by the Service. The system operates in areas of fairly low activity and ensures that the resources available are in line with local risks.
Firefighters operating on the system are usually paid a wholetime wage, together with a standard retainer and disturbance fees. They operate on two watches rather than the traditional four watches on wholetime stations. The system offers significant savings over full-time cover while still providing a high level of cover for local communities.
A new collective agreement for the day-crewing system was agreed and launched on 1 January 2008. This has simplified and harmonised existing terms and conditions. Under the new arrangement, firefighters are required to work an average of 42 hours per week (31 hours on station and 11 hours on standby); a 50 per cent increase in the number of productive hours per firefighter.
These and other changes to rent and allowances were phased in to allow staff time to adapt to any lifestyle changes required.