Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will operate under a new strategic plan for the next five years after councillors voted 58-0 to approve the Community Risk Management Plan 2026-31 at the full council meeting on 24 March.

The plan sets out how the service will identify and respond to risks across the county, and includes a change to the emergency response standard — the target times within which crews aim to reach incidents. It also introduces updated "vital signs" reporting, which is the framework used to measure how well the service is performing against its goals.

The plan was moved by Cllr Margaret Dewsbury and seconded by Cllr Kay Mason Billig. Before being brought to full council, it had been subject to a public consultation, with councillors noting the findings and making associated amendments to the plan.

The approval adds the CRMP 2026-31 to Norfolk County Council's Policy Framework, giving it formal status as a guiding document for the service.

The news comes as the council also announced that a new fire cadet unit will open in Fakenham later in 2026 — a town with historic significance as the location of the UK's very first fire cadet unit, established in 1984.