Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
Operational area
CountryEngland
CountyIsle of Wight
Agency overview
Dissolved31 March 2021[1]
Employees242
Chief Fire OfficerNeil Odin
Facilities and equipment
Stations10 (1 Wholetime, 1 Day Crewed, 8 Retained)
Engines14
Platforms2
Various Fire Service Vehicles outside Newport station

Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was the statutory fire and rescue service covering the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England. On 1 April 2021, it merged with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to form Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS).[2][1]

Performance

In March 2007, the Isle of Wight Council voted to maintain the independence of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue service, instead of a merger with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.[3]

Later in February 2009, plans were announced for a three-year £8 million replacement programme changing part-time stations to full-time. The move would be done in an attempt to reduce response times to 999 alerts. It could see Ryde's fire station change to full-time, and possibly Sandown's, but part-time stations would continue to operate as normal in rural areas. The extra investment would also minimise chances of a future merger with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service on the mainland.[4] The decision was confirmed in October 2020, with a report showing stations were "considerably below" the standard of those on the mainland.[5]

On a 2009 assessment by a government watchdog, the service was found to be performing well, getting a three star rating out of four, after a poor rating in 2005.[6]

Fire station

The Isle of Wight service had ten fire stations, one wholetime/retained, one day crew/retained and eight solely retained, prior to their merger into HIWFRS.[7]

  • Bembridge – retained
  • Cowes – retained
  • East Cowes – retained
  • Freshwater – retained
  • Newport – full-time/retained
  • Ryde – day crewed/retained
  • Sandown – retained
  • Shanklin – retained
  • Ventnor – retained
  • Yarmouth – retained

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Momentous day as fire services combine". Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire authorities merger agreed by Home Office". BBC News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Prevent the merger of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service". www.fireservicemerger.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  4. ↑ "Isle of Wight County Press - "IW fire service may go full time"". www.iwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  5. ↑ "Isle of Wight fire stations criticised in report". BBC News. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Isle of Wight County Press - "Good rating for Island fire service"". www.iwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  7. ↑ "Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service - fire stations". www.iwfire.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
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