Part 2

Functions of fire and rescue authorities

Core functions

Fire safety
6
1
A fire and rescue authority must make provision for the purpose of promoting fire safety in its area.
2
In making provision under subsection (1) a fire and rescue authority must in particular, to the extent that it considers it reasonable to do so, make arrangements for—
a
the provision of information, publicity and encouragement in respect of the steps to be taken to prevent fires and death or injury by fire;
b
the giving of advice, on request, about—
i
how to prevent fires and restrict their spread in buildings and other property;
ii
the means of escape from buildings and other property in case of fire.

Fire-fighting
7
1
A fire and rescue authority must make provision for the purpose of—
a
extinguishing fires in its area, and
b
protecting life and property in the event of fires in its area.
2
In making provision under subsection (1) a fire and rescue authority must in particular—
a
secure the provision of the personnel, services and equipment necessary efficiently to meet all normal requirements;
b
secure the provision of training for personnel;
c
make arrangements for dealing with calls for help and for summoning personnel;
d
make arrangements for obtaining information needed for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1);
e
make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from action taken for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).

Road traffic accidents
8
1
A fire and rescue authority must make provision for the purpose of—
a
rescuing people in the event of road traffic accidents in its area;
b
protecting people from serious harm, to the extent that it considers it reasonable to do so, in the event of road traffic accidents in its area.
2
In making provision under subsection (1) a fire and rescue authority must in particular—
a
secure the provision of the personnel, services and equipment necessary efficiently to meet all normal requirements;
b
secure the provision of training for personnel;
c
make arrangements for dealing with calls for help and for summoning personnel;
d
make arrangements for obtaining information needed for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1);
e
make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from action taken for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1).

Emergencies
9
1
The Secretary of State may by order confer on a fire and rescue authority functions relating to emergencies, other than fires and road traffic accidents in relation to which the authority has functions under section 7 or 8.
2
An order under this section may require functions conferred on a fire and rescue authority under this section to be discharged outside the authority’s area.
3
An order under this section may make provision as to what a fire and rescue authority must or may do for the purpose of a function conferred under this section, and may in particular require or authorise a fire and rescue authority—
a
to secure the provision of personnel, services and equipment;
b
to secure the provision of training for personnel;
c
to make arrangements for dealing with calls for help and for summoning personnel;
d
to make arrangements for obtaining information needed for the purpose of discharging the function;
e
to make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from discharging the function.
4
An order under this section may confer a function, including a function of providing particular equipment, on a particular authority.
5
Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State must consult any persons he considers appropriate.