Shared station ‘paves the way for service provision’

A new emergency services station that sees all three blue light services based permanently under the same roof for the first time in South Wales was officially unveiled last month. Since January, Gwent Police officers, Welsh Ambulance Service crews and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews have all been operating from the station. Each service now has its own vehicle bay and access to all the facilities and office space they require. Gwent police and crime commissioner Jeff Cuthbert says the model “could pave the way for future service provision”. Gwent Police Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said through the partnership the force now has access to an “up-to-date modern facility, which serves the needs of our staff and the local community”. “We already have an excellent working relationship with our partners in the ambulance and fire services but this new venture enables us to work closer together and have greater coordination when responding to incidents. “Given the financial constraints facing public services, this also enables us to maintain a strong community policing presence in the area.” The tri-service arrangement is being housed in a refurbished Abertillery fire station. The newly remodelled fire station has enabled Gwent Police to re-establish a permanent base in the town following the closure of the police station. Mr Cuthbert said he was already in “advanced discussions” with emergency service partners about how this model could be replicated elsewhere so that the force can maintain a strong presence in the heart of communities. “Despite a significant reduction in funding to the police service over the last six years, I am committed to working with key partners to ensure that we provide a visible and accessible policing service, which adequately responds to local need and provides assurance to the community,” he added. “This new partnership forms part of that commitment. Working together in this way not only ensures value for money for the taxpayer, but also provides modern and upgraded facilities, which all three emergency services can be proud of. “Through innovative collaborations like this, we can continue to provide enhanced services to communities across Gwent whilst reducing costs.” The chief fire officer for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Huw Jakeway, said the new station is a “shining example” of how the emergency services are working more collaboratively to ensure they continue to keep the communities they serve safe from risk. “The relationships between each of the services is already well established and joining together to operate under one roof is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to this relationship and its long term future,” he added. Patsy Roseblade, director of finance and deputy chief executive at the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said the combined facility will not only enable them to work more closely for the benefit of communities, but will also achieve “operational efficiencies”. Mr Cuthbert added that “policing is a public service like any other”. “It’s vital that we work together and this means that all key public services, whether devolved or not, must collaborate to get the very best benefit for communities and individuals,” he said. “Only through strong partnership working with other organisations and by putting the needs of the individual at the heart of what we do can we seek to provide the best possible quality of life for our citizens, in particular our most vulnerable. “Through efficient joined-up working we can prevent and reduce levels of crime, resulting in fewer victims. This is why there is a clear focus on ensuring strong, collaborative working with other key partners throughout my police and crime plan.”