Move to happen in next year

04 August 2016

Avon Fire and Rescue Service will move into the headquarters of the local police force, after an agreement was struck between the Fire Authority and the force.
 
The move is expected to happen in the next 12 months.
 
The Chairman of the Fire Authority, Peter Abraham, said that the merge will bring ‘much closer collaboration’ between the two organisations in the future.
 
Around 60 members of Avon Fire and Rescue’s support staff, along with senior operational managers and board members will make the move to North Somerset. 
 
The move is part of Avon Fire and Rescue’s cost saving programme launched in 2014 with the aim of making annual savings of £4.5 million.
 
The service will retain an operational base with the building of a new fire station on part of the site. 
 
Construction work on the new Temple Fire Station is currently underway and expected to be completed in the autumn.
 
Peter Abraham, added: “The opportunity to co-locate with the police at Portishead makes sense both financially and because it provides the opportunity for even closer collaboration between the services.
 
“We will now begin the detailed planning which will see around 60 members of our support staff making the move to the new headquarters. We will take with us experienced and valued members of staff who play a fundamental role in keeping the frontline service going.
 
“Our site at Temple Back had become increasingly costly to maintain so this is an opportunity to significantly reduce overheads and provide our staff with a modern office that reflects current needs.”
 
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