County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service

Our vision is Safest People, Safest Places in County Durham and Darlington. Our aim is to give you an insight into our Fire Service and how we strive to achieve our vision. The 'About Us' section details who we are, what we do, where we are situated and our responsibilities as a transparent and accountable organisation. We are always pleased to hear from you, send us your feedback and comments in the section titled, 'Contact Us'.

Stay Safe from Fire

Download the fire safety advice checklist to see if your home is safe from fire. You could use it to check your home every week. Take the checklist around your home to check if it is safe from fire. Remember, this could save your life!

Doing some simple things can stop a fire starting in your home which could save your life. A smoke alarm can save your life. It will make a loud beeping noise to warn you if there is a fire. This could give you time to escape. One of the most common causes of fire is electrical. Please take a moment to review these points.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service beating the snow and ice

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is reassuring residents that despite the current weather conditions they are continuing to respond to all incidents.

The Service has taken a num View from Service Landrover in snow ber of proactive measures to ensure that it continues to provide the same support to residents and businesses in County Durham and Darlington. These actions have included the use of its fleet of 4x4 vehicles for both operational and support roles and increased community safety advice. In addition the service is providing assistance to ambulance crews. The Service will assist the ambulance service by ensuring paramedics and medical crews can reach patients where the ambulance service vehicles can not attend. Trained drivers from the Fire Service will meet the ambulance crews where driving conditions become too hazardous for ambulances and take them to incidents in the 4x4 vehicles, demonstrating a real partnership approach to ensuring communites are safe.

Last Updated on Friday, 08 January 2010 14:35 Read more...

Fire Authority consults on Plans for 2010-11

11 December 2009

We are pleased to introduce County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority’s consultation document which detail our proposals for :- The Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) for 2010/11.

All Fire and Rescue Authorities are required under the National Framework document to produce an IRMP and update it each year. This document builds on last year’s IRMP and is aligned to our three year strategic plan. It is important for us as an Authority to consult with people, businesses and our partners within County Durham and Darlington on the strategic direction the Combined Fire Authority intends to take over the next year to make our vision of Safest People, Safest Places a reality.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 16:57 Read more...

Winter Driving

Planning Your Journey
• If your journey isn’t essential, don’t take the risk
• Check your local and national weather forecasts and listen to local and national radio for travel information
• Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive

Preparing to travel
• Get up at least 10 minutes early to give you time to prepare the car.
• Don't drive off like a tank-commander, with a tiny hole cleared in your windscreen.
• Clear all windows of snow and ice using a scraper and de-icer.
• Clear snow from the top of the vehicle so it doesn’t slide over the windscreen when braking
• Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock, as the moisture will condense and freeze.
• Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.
• Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. While it's always a good idea to allow extra
• time in winter for your journey, drivers must accept the inevitability of being late for work if they are caught
• up in an unexpected delay. winter roads

Last Updated on Friday, 08 January 2010 16:44 Read more...

Service Plans

In this section you will learn about the strategies, methods, processes and guidelines that enable us to function effectively, monitor and measure our performance, and provide you with an accountable and transparent service that is continually improving and reflective of your needs.

Please visit the following for more information:

2008/2009

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 September 2009 16:08 Read more...

Financial Information

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority provide a Fire and Rescue Service which aims to protect life and property and offers a comprehensive range of community safety services.

Revenue Budget

The Authority became a precepting organisation in 2004/05 and this changed our funding arrangements; having previously levied County Durham and Darlington local authorities for a large percentage of our funding, we now secure approximately 47% through central government grant with the remainder being met through council tax.

This change to funding does not mean an extra charge for you; rather it’s a change to the way in which you are billed. By charging directly for the services we provide, our decisions are more transparent - you can hold us accountable for our spending plans.

Last Updated on Friday, 23 October 2009 09:18 Read more...

Smoke Alarms

Where can I get a smoke alarm?

smoke alarm location

If you are a resident of County Durham or Darlington, you can get free smoke alarm and installation from County Durham and Darlington Fire Rescue Service. To arrange for a FREE Home Safety Advice visit including how to escape in a fire and FREE Smoke Alarm installation, please call our Community Safety team on: 0191.332.4222 or complete the online form. Do not call 999 unless there is an emergency. There are special alarms for people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties.

How do I make sure that my smoke alarm works?

check smoke alarm diagramm Test the batteries in your smoke alarm once a week. You could do this at the same time every week to help you remember. Press the button on your smoke alarm until it makes a loud beeping noise. If you do not hear anything, please contact Community Safety team on telephone 0191.332.4222 or complete the online form.