Emergency services share use of Manningtree Fire Station

Closer working relationships between the emergency services are now being formed as Manningtree Fire Station becomes a ‘shared-use’ base.

The on-call station in The Quay is being used as a drop in location for the Tendring Community Policing Team. The Team’s 23 Police Constables and PCSOs and a Special Constable are able to use Manningtree Fire Station alongside the on-call firefighters as a base when they are deployed to the area on duty. This will mean that police officers will be able to spend more time in the area and be more visible to their communities.

Corringham Fire Station will also be used as a ‘shared use’ base in the future. Using the stations in this way will be evaluated for feedback before other potential ‘shared use’ bases are identified.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “This is a great example of collaboration in action – fire and police working together to make communities feel safer, using our resources in the most efficient way.”

Jo Turton, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As part of our commitment to working together, we are exploring which fire stations in our county could be suitable for our Essex Police colleagues to use when they are on duty.

“These arrangements will give us an opportunity to work closer together, to understand what each service does, build relationships and provide a comfortable space for colleagues to use.”

Essex Police’s Chief Supt Carl O’Malley, who leads the Emergency Services Collaboration Team, said: “This project forms part of our commitment to work closely with colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) to use resources in the most effective way to provide the best possible service to the people of Essex.

“The fire station provides a drop-in location for the Tendring Community Police Team to give them a place from which to work and take comfort breaks. They will not be based there but will be able to make use of it as and when they are working in the area.

“It will also give the team the chance to work closely with ECFRS, understanding what each service does and build relationships.”

Members of the public should still contact the Tendring Community Policing Team in the usual way, either via 101 or via https://www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online/