Total Number of Retained Firefighting Staff

(For the purpose of this request, 'practical training' refers to scenario-based, simulation, or live exercise activities, as opposed to purely theoretical or classroom-based training)

Staffing and Roles

Q1) What is the total number of retained firefighting staff in your brigade, including ranks?

          

Q2) Do you have a designated training and exercising manager for retained firefighting crews (or a general operational firefighting training and exercising manager)?

a. If yes, what are their relevant training qualifications?

b. When was this role established?

c. Is this a permanent, full-time position?



Q3. Is there a designated budget for training and exercising for retained crews?

a. If yes, what percentage of the overall department budget does this represent?

Training Policy

Q4. Are there policies or procedures to ensure uninterrupted practical training for retained crews (e.g., operational cover during exercises)?

a. If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant policy if possible.

b. If not, is training generally conducted during on-call periods with potential for interruptions?



Q5. Has your service piloted or implemented any digital/simulation-based tools for retained firefighter training or exercising, including virtual reality technologies? Please give details if yes.

Practical Training Participation

Between 31st July 2023 to

31st July 2025:



Q6. How many times have retained crews participated in practical training involving only their own station?



Q7. How many times have retained crews participated in practical training involving other teams/departments within your brigade?



Q8. How many times have retained crews participated in practical training with other fire brigades?



Q9. How many times have retained crews participated in practical training with other agencies, such as Police or Ambulance services?

Q1. 233 FF, 57 CM, 32 WM

Q2. General operational training manager, not a specific retained manager

Q3. While there is no designated budget, planning assumptions take account of stated exercising requirements within staffing budget. Likewise, operational training centre planning assumptions take account of the on call training requirements.

Q4. Training is generally conducted during on call periods. Core skill requalification's are completed off call without interruption. Service exercises blend on call and off call to limit disruption

Q.5 We don't currently use 'Virtual Reality' - i.e. goggles and immersive reality environment. We use simulation-based tools.

Q.6 Once a week during a training evenings with additional training days equivalent to 3hrs per week

Q.7 Divisional exercises take place once a quarter including on call. These utilise resources from across the service

Q.8 Divisional exercises include cross border resources and have taken place 14 times

Q.9 Divisional exercises include multiagency resources and have place 22 times