North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has committed to making significant investment in its coastal infrastructure, prioritising the redevelopment of Scarborough Fire Station as part of its new Community Risk Management Plan for 2025–2029.
The move is one of several focuses intended to ensure the service’s resources match the unique challenges of the region’s geographically diverse area, which includes isolated rural communities and key urban centres like Scarborough.
The new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP}, published this month, sets out a roadmap for how the Service intends to keep people safe over the next four years, focusing on prevention, protection, emergency response, and building community resilience.
Coastal and Community Focus
The commitment to prioritise the redevelopment of Scarborough Fire Station comes as part of the Service’s strategy to improve its estate through "prioritised activity" to improve longevity affordably. This investment is crucial as the fire service recognises that its existing buildings require “significant investment to ensure a safe and welcoming space” for both staff and the public, owing to long-term financial challenges.
The North Yorkshire coastline, stretching approximately 45 miles from just north of Whitby to south of Filey, presents distinct operational and community challenges for the Service. The CRMP acknowledges that large numbers of visitors to our coast during warm weather increases the number of incidents the Service attends in those areas, requiring effective protection and response. Additionally, the Service noted responding to a high number of fire safety concerns in the past year to help keep people safe in areas of high tourism. The growth of tourism is also reflected in protection work, with the Service seeing a dramatic increase in guidance and advice—over 800% higher in 2024/25 compared with the previous year—primarily due to legislative changes impacting the tourism sector across their service area.
Risk assessment data highlights significant local needs, particularly in Scarborough, where most of the neighbourhoods classified among the 20% most deprived in England are located. According to the Service's analysis, people in these deprived areas with a lower income are more likely to experience a dwelling fire compared to those in less deprived areas, compelling the Service to concentrate resources where they are needed most.
Chief Fire Officer Commends Plan
Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson asserted that the plan reflects the Service’s commitment to safety through a balanced approach to intervention, protection, response, and resilience.
“This plan outlines the key risks facing our communities and the vital services we provide to prevent, protect against, and respond to those risks,”
Chief Fire Officer Dyson stated. He added that the Service's assessment of risk informs how it allocates staff and resources, ensuring the continued effective delivery of services.
The priorities outlined in the CRMP were heavily influenced by public feedback, having received over 800 responses to its consultation survey. Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, confirmed that public consultation and assurance were at the heart of shaping the plan.
Responding to Climate Challenges
A major area of focus for the new plan is improving resilience to climate-related incidents. The impact of extreme weather events, particularly the threat of wildfires, was starkly highlighted earlier in the year during the major incident at Fylingdales Moor.
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, noted that the consultation responses "understandably reflected this incident". This has led to the Service increasing its provision of wildfire teams with specialist vehicles, equipment, and training. The Service is also developing a community asset register and formalising contracts with partners to support attendance at such incidents.
Mayor Skaith confirmed that he and Deputy Mayor Coles "will support the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure they deliver this new plan and are doing everything they can to keep people safe in our region”.
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