Service sees changes and challenges in anniversary year

It was a year of change and celebration for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2024.

The Service turned 50 years old in 2024, seeing celebrations across stations and on social media channels. This marked the combination of both the Huntingdon and Peterborough, and Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely services, which were reorganised in 1974.

Colleagues, residents and former members of staff were invited to share their memories and interactions with CFRS. Stations also hosted events inviting the community to celebrate the anniversary.
Operationally, crews attended more than 8,000 incidents across the county in 2024, including around 1,700 fires with an increasing number involving batteries, either charging or being disposed of incorrectly.

The Service has been encouraging residents to make sure they don’t put batteries in their home bins, but instead take them to their nearest recycling centre or shop with a collection box. Also, following some simple tips to Take Charge and Be Safe, like charging devices while you are awake and alert, rather than while sleeping, meaning the device won’t be overcharged and risk overheating the battery. A good bedtime routine is also recommended, including things like making sure electrical sockets are switched off, all internal doors are closed, any candles or heating appliances are off and hallways and stairs are kept clear of obstructions. This will not only help prevent a fire from happening but also ensure an easy escape if one does.

Crews attended 460 road traffic collisions, 125 animal rescues, more than 100 flooding incidents plus 81 co-responding medical incidents with ambulance service colleagues.

The Service entered into an innovative partnership with other fire and rescue services and the East of England Ambulance Service Trust to provide additional resource to help vulnerable people in need. The pilot saw two community wellbeing officers working across Cambridgeshire responding to calls from people that have fallen and need help. The pilot scheme has been recognised with several national awards.

The Service welcomed more than 40 new firefighters during 2024, including the first two groups of wholetime recruits to be fully trained at the new training facility in Huntingdon. This was a significant milestone to have the first cohorts of wholetime firefighters be fully trained in the county.

Midway through the year, a new chief fire officer/chief executive was appointed following the retirement of Chris Strickland. Matthew Warren was the Fire Authority’s recommended candidate following a robust recruitment process.

Community safety officers and fire crews visited more than 7,000 vulnerable residents across the county to deliver safe and well visits, over 1,000 more than 2023. Working with various partners from the health sector, and Anglian Water, these visits were targetted to the most vulnerable residents in the community, based on various risk factors including age and mobility. Crews and fire protection officers also delivered safety advice to more than 800 businesses, plus more than 3,500 hydrants were checked and serviced.

Another very significant milestone was reached in 2024 as the new mobilising system with French-based company SYSTEL went live. The first of its kind in the UK, the system has been taking 999 calls and sending fire engines to emergencies since September, working closely with the suppliers and giving the control operators time to get to grips with the new way of working.

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Matthew Warren said: “It’s been a busy, challenging but also very rewarding year for the Service. Our colleagues have dealt with some significant challenges but have delivered some outstanding work in 2024. I’m very proud to be at the helm of a service filled with such talented and committed colleagues.”

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