New five-year plan launched to ‘make Essex safer together’

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) has today launched its new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2025–2030, setting out how it will continue making Essex safer together over the next five years. 

The plan outlines how ECFRS will work with communities and partners to prevent emergencies, protect people and places and respond effectively when incidents happen. Built on detailed risk analysis, community feedback and collaboration, the CRMP makes sure the Service is ready to meet the challenges of a changing county - from climate-related emergencies and growing populations, to emerging risks such as lithium-ion battery fires and new building technologies. 

Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive Rick Hylton said:  "Making Essex safer together isn’t just our mission, it’s what drives every part of this plan. By working with our communities, partners and our dedicated teams, we will reduce risks, protect the places people live and work and respond quickly and effectively when we are needed most. We are proud that over the past five years, the number of fires, accidental dwelling fires, injuries and deliberate fires have all gone down - this shows that prevention and protection really do make a difference. This plan builds on that progress to make Essex even safer." 

The CRMP focuses on five strategic goals that reflect the priorities of Essex’s communities:

1. Preventing fires and other emergencies: Working with local communities to help people stay safe, focusing on those most at risk. 
2. Reducing the impact of fire in the built environment: Improving safety in homes and buildings across Essex, supporting businesses to comply with fire safety law. 
3. Responding effectively to emergencies : Making sure fire engines, equipment and crews are in the right place at the right time, with an ongoing commitment to improving response times. 
4. An inclusive and high-performing culture: Supporting, developing and empowering ECFRS staff to deliver the best possible service to the public. 
5. A resilient and sustainable future: Managing resources wisely, investing in technology and sustainability to support a modern, efficient service for years to come. 

The CRMP is fully aligned with the Fire and Rescue Plan 2024–2028, which sets out the strategic direction for ECFRS, focusing on protecting vulnerable people, improving efficiency and effectiveness and making Essex safer. 

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "The Community Risk Management Plan is the operational blueprint that will deliver on the strategic priorities outlined in the Fire and Rescue Plan 2024–2028. This is about ensuring Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has the right resources, the right training, and the right focus to keep Essex safe and secure, now and in the future. We’ve consulted extensively to develop this plan, but we need ongoing input to refine and strengthen it. By working together, we can make sure that ECFRS continues to protect and serve the people of Essex effectively." 

The CRMP has been shaped by engagement with 6,000 residents, alongside extensive consultation with staff and partners. Data and insight have been used to identify where risk is greatest - from an ageing population and increasing road use to climate threats like flooding and wildfires. 

Rick Hylton added: 
"This plan is not just about responding when something goes wrong - it’s about working with people every day to help prevent incidents, protect communities and save lives. That’s what making Essex safer together means." 

Read the full Community Risk Management Plan 2025–2030

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For interview requests, please contact press@essex-fire.gov.uk

Our Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton is available for interviews to discuss our new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) and our Service’s strategic direction.

If you would like to focus on a specific strategic goal, let us know, and we can arrange for the most appropriate spokesperson. The strategic goals are:

• Preventing fires and other emergencies
• Reducing the impact of fire in the built environment
• Responding effectively to emergencies
• Inclusive and high-performing culture
• A resilient and sustainable future
• Performance framework