Norfolk Fire Service Sets 10-Minute Response Target for All Life-Risk Incidents
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has adopted a new five-year plan that standardises emergency response times to 10 minutes for any incident where lives may be at risk. Cabinet endorsed the plan at its March meeting, with Full Council expected to formally adopt it later in the month.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will respond to all life-risk incidents within 10 minutes under a new Community Risk Management Plan covering 2026 to 2031. The target was introduced at the start of 2026 and is already being met, Cabinet heard.
The plan, which replaces the previous framework, sets out eight proposals for how the service will tackle risks including climate change, national emergencies and rapid changes in technology. It follows a public consultation.
The service has also received six new water rescue boats, which Cabinet members noted had already proved valuable during recent evacuations at Hemsby caused by coastal erosion.
Cabinet members raised concerns about emerging fire risks from lithium batteries and incorrectly disposed vapes. Chief Fire Officer Ceri Sumner said work was already under way with partner agencies to encourage safe disposal.
The Chair, Cllr Kay Mason Billig, highlighted a longer-term concern: that inspecting new infrastructure such as pylons, solar farms and battery storage sites — which are likely to be built in Norfolk — currently has to be funded from the Fire Service's own budget rather than by developers.
Cabinet endorsed the plan and recommended it for formal adoption at Full Council. Under legislation dating from 2018, fire services are required to produce a Community Risk Management Plan covering at least three years.