A NEW consultation has been set up into how the public want North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to be run.

Julia Mulligan took responsibility for overseeing the fire service as well as North Yorkshire Police last year, and is preparing a plan for “the strategic vision, priorities and objectives” for the fire service over the next two years.

She said the plan would be used to hold the service to account, and wants to hear from people and businesses across North Yorkshire, as well as organisations or groups who work alongside the fire service, to help shape the plan.

The consultation involves a short public survey which asks what participants believe the priorities of the service should be, and calls on the public to explain how important each priority is to them.

Mrs Mulligan said: “I am very keen to hear directly what the public want to see from their fire service in the future. Responding to fires – and responding well – will always be the foremost priority, but we also need to make sure we make the best use of our resources, maximising our efforts around prevention, with particular focus on those who are the most vulnerable.

“This plan needs to be right for our service and right for the people of North Yorkshire, helping everyone to be safe and feel safe. Please do take part in the survey – each comment counts and will be listened to by me and the Chief Fire Officer.”

A similar consultation was undertaken for North Yorkshire Police, and Mrs Mulligan said this was the first time anything like this had been done for the fire and rescue service in North Yorkshire.

Mrs Mulligan said the process would make sure her priorities reflected the expectations of the people of North Yorkshire, and would inform the fire and rescue plan covering 2019 to 2021.

To take part in the survey, which should take about ten minutes to complete, go to telljulia.com

Hard copies are also available on request, by contacting the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on 01423 569562 or emailing info@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk

The survey is open until Sunday, April 21.