The Gloucestershire County Council held a public meeting in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, on Friday, 13 March 2026, to review how the local fire service is performing. This session allowed elected officials to check on emergency service delivery and ensure that safety standards are being met across the community.
The meeting began at 10:00 am and focused on how the service manages its staff and responds to emergency calls. Councillors reviewed a long-term safety strategy known as the Community Risk Management Plan, which explains how the fire service will operate and protect residents between 2026 and 2030.
Chief Fire Officer Mark Preece, who is responsible for the daily operations of the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, attended the session to report on service performance. Local representatives, including Councillor Jeremy Hilton, asked questions about staffing levels and how policy changes might affect the speed of emergency responses.
The committee also looked at how the service compares to national standards and how it handles the recruitment of part-time firefighters. During these discussions, the Fire Brigades Union often provides feedback to ensure that the interests of frontline staff are considered when the council makes decisions about equipment and station coverage.
Residents were encouraged to watch the proceedings online to see how their local representatives hold the emergency services to account. These regular meetings are designed to provide transparency and show the public how their tax money is being used to keep the county safe.
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