Fire, Police and Ambulance Join Forces for Bonfire Night Blitz
Lancashire’s emergency services have teamed up to tackle the bonfire night mayhem head-on. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), Lancashire Police, and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) will roll out multi-agency response vehicles to tackle fires, assaults, crashes, and emergencies needing forced entry.
Multi-Agency Vehicles Hit the Streets
These special vehicles, staffed by trained Fire and Police commanders, will assess incidents together, decide what resources are needed, and keep responders safe. They’re designed to step in when at least two services are needed, cutting down response times and freeing up crews for other calls.
Tom Cookson, Group Manager and Head of Emergency Planning at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “During high-profile events such as bonfire night, the demand on emergency services increases. Locally based responders working together can provide lifesaving interventions and reduce the number of resources needed at a scene.”
Proven Success From Trial Runs
The joint response tactic isn’t new. It was first trialled back in 2017 and proved a hit. Last bonfire night alone, LFRS attended 158 incidents, with 59 handled by these multi-agency vehicles — freeing vital resources for other emergencies.
Targeting Trouble Spots
Six vehicles will patrol hotspots in Burnley, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Pendle, and Preston from November 3rd to 5th. These areas have faced spikes in anti-social behaviour and attacks on emergency workers in past years.
Neighbourhood Inspector Kathryn McIntyre from Blackburn with Darwen said: “Working closely with partners is crucial, especially during busy times like bonfire night. This year we’re ready to keep East Lancashire safe. Multi-agency scene assessments will hopefully cut down the number of resources needed.”
