Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was the statutory fire and rescue service covering the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. On 1 April 2021, it merged with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to form Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS).[2][1]
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| County | Isle of Wight |
| Agency overview | |
| Dissolved | 31 March 2021[1] |
| Employees | 242 |
| Chief Fire Officer | Neil Odin |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Stations | 10 (1 Wholetime, 1 Day Crewed, 8 Retained) |
| Engines | 14 |
| Platforms | 2 |
Performance
editIn March 2007, the Isle of Wight Council voted to maintain the independence of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service, instead of a merger with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.[3]
Later in February 2009, plans were announced for a three-year £8 million replacement programme changing part-time stations to full-time. The move would be done in an attempt to reduce response times to 999 alerts. It could see Ryde's fire station change to full-time, and possibly Sandown's, but part-time stations would continue to operate as normal in rural areas. The extra investment would also minimise chances of a future merger with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on the mainland.[4] The decision was confirmed in October 2020, with a report showing stations were "considerably below" the standard of those on the mainland.[5]
On a 2009 assessment by a government watchdog, the service was found to be performing well, getting a three star rating out of four, after a poor rating in 2005.[6]
Fire station
editThe Isle of Wight service had ten fire stations, one wholetime/retained, one day crew/retained and eight solely retained, prior to their merger into HIWFRS.[7]
- Bembridge – retained
- Cowes – retained
- East Cowes – retained
- Freshwater – retained
- Newport – full-time/retained
- Ryde – day crewed/retained
- Sandown – retained
- Shanklin – retained
- Ventnor – retained
- Yarmouth – retained
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Momentous day as fire services combine". Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ "Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire authorities merger agreed by Home Office". BBC News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Prevent the merger of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service". www.fireservicemerger.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ "Isle of Wight County Press - "IW fire service may go full time"". www.iwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Isle of Wight fire stations criticised in report". BBC News. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Isle of Wight County Press - "Good rating for Island fire service"". www.iwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
- ^ "Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service - fire stations". www.iwfire.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
External links
edit
Media related to Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service at Wikimedia Commons
