Cambridgeshire Fire Service: A year of outstanding accomplishments

The chair of Cambridgeshire Fire Authority has described performance figures by the fire service over the past year as “simply outstanding”.

Cllr Edna Murphy, presenting an annual report to Cambridgeshire County Council, says: “As the second lowest cost per head funded fire and rescue service in one of the fastest growing areas in the country, these figures are simply outstanding, and the resilience and community spirit shown by everyone across the organisation has been truly inspiring”.

She said fire crews

Attended 8,000 incidents across the county including 1,700 fires with an increasing number involving batteries

460 road traffic collisions

125 animal rescues

Attended more than 100 flooding related incidents

81 co-responding medical incidents with ambulance service colleagues.

Cllr Murphy said the service welcomed more than 40 new firefighters, including the first two groups of wholetime recruits to be fully trained at our new training facility in Huntingdon.

“Community safety officers and fire crews visited more than 7,000 vulnerable residents across the county to deliver safe and well visits, which was a staggering increase of over 1,000 compared to 2023,” she said.

“And fire protection officers and crews delivered safety advice to more than 800 businesses and 3,500 hydrants were checked and serviced.

“If that wasn’t enough, midway through the year, we appointed Matthew Warren as our new Chief Fire Officer following the retirement of Chris Strickland and went ‘live’ with our new mobilising system; the first of its kind with French-based company SYSTEL. “

In other topics Cllr Murphy referred to:

2. Annual Excellence and Long Service Awards

At the Excellence Awards evening in January, CFRS recognised outstanding achievements:

• Long Service and Good Conduct medals were awarded by Mrs. Julie Spence, Lord Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, to personnel with 20+ years of service.
• The Silver Axe Award honoured two new firefighters for outstanding performance.
• Watch Commander Joanne Shippey received a Commendation for Bravery for rescuing a man from a house fire.
• External awards included commendations for Fenland District Council and Peterborough City Council for supporting fire service initiatives.
• The Fleet Manager won Outstanding Contribution to the Fire and Rescue Service at the Excellence in Fire Awards 2024.
• The Finance Team won Digital Finance Project of the Year at the Public Finance Awards 2024.

3. Celebrating LGBT+ History Month

CFRS actively supported LGBT+ History Month, themed “Activism and Social Change”, using music to highlight influential LGBT+ artists.

• The service continues its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, having achieved the Silver Talent Inclusivity and Diversity Evaluation (TIDE) Award in 2024.
• Resources from Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) were made available to staff.

4. Appointment of Deputy Chief Fire Officer

• Jon Anderson was appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer following a national recruitment process.
• The position of Assistant Chief Fire Officer is currently being filled.

5. Fire Authority Budget 2025/26

• The budget is set at £40.7 million, with a precept of £27 million from local authorities.
• Council tax rates range from £58.14 (Band A) to £174.42 (Band H).
• The budget assumes a 2% pay increase for staff, but any higher settlement may require reserve funding.
• An additional eight firefighters and several support roles are included to meet growing demands.
• Financial constraints limit further savings without affecting core services.

6. Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2024-2029

• A new Growth and Planning Officer post will track local developments to help CFRS anticipate service needs.
• The authority approved adding community growth planning as a priority to ensure long-term operational and financial sustainability.

7. Fire Safety and Grenfell Tower Response

• CFRS produced animated videos to educate businesses on fire safety, funded by the National Fire Chiefs Council.
• The government has accepted all 58 recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry to enhance fire safety.
• CFRS has inspected all 27 high-rise buildings in Cambridgeshire, ensuring compliance ahead of schedule.
• CFRS continues to work with government bodies to address barriers to implementing safety reforms.

8. New Sustainable Fire Appliance

• CFRS has introduced a new concept fire appliance in Huntingdon featuring:
  • Clean cab design to reduce contamination risks.
  • Electric cutting equipment and ventilation fans.
  • Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel for lower emissions.
• The initiative supports firefighter safety and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Cllr Edna Murphy commends the dedication of CFRS staff, emphasising the service’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to safety. The authority will continue adapting to financial challenges, community growth, and regulatory changes while maintaining high service standards.