South West 999
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Above: Martocks pumping appliance in the new livery whilst below is the Volvo FL6.14/Saxon Community Vehicle.
Photos Mike Rowland
Fire Stations
On 1 April 2007 the Fire and Rescue Services of Devon and Somerset merged creating the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England and Wales, with a front line service of almost 2,000 uniformed staff and 220 non-uniformed support staff.
The move represents one of the most important changes to the Fire and Rescue Services in Devon and Somerset since the local government re-organisation in 1973/4.
The combined service now operate the following:
82 fire stations-67 retained, 9 wholetime/retained, 5 wholetime and 1 volunteer.
123 pumping appliances, 67 special appliances.
6 Area Headquarters at Exeter, Torquay, Barnstaple, Plymouth, Taunton and Yeovil.
Service Headquarters- Clyst St.George, Exeter.
Training centres-2, Plympton and Severn Park, Avonmouth [shared].
Coming Soon!
Two books and a DVD covering the history of the local authority Fire Brigades in Devon and Somerset prior to their merger into one service on 1 April 2007.
Devon Local authority fire engines and stations 1948-2007 and Somerset local authority fire engines and stations 1948-2007 are now being written by Simon Rowley of Fire-Aid International.
These publications will include photographs of every station in the two counties during their last month as stand alone Brigades.
Three Devon appliances now in the new livery seen just prior to the launch of the combined service on 1 April 2007. Top and middle photos show Bidefords MAN/JDC WA54LLP WrL pumping appliance. Whilst the bottom photo shows Exmouths Rescue Unit WA05FXU.
Photos Kevin Hale.