Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2024, to Question 8751, on Fire and Rescue Services: Police, for what reason her Department won't repeal Section 37 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

It is the Government’s priority to ensure the safety of firefighters across the fire and rescue sector. Section 37 of Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 re-enacts section 32 of the Fire Services Act 1947 and provides that no member of a police force (i.e. a police constable) may be employed as a fire-fighter. If an off-duty police officer were employed by a fire and rescue authority, difficulties might arise at the scene of a fire or other emergency due to confusion over which employer had the primary claim on the officer's services.

The Government has no plans to repeal section 37 for the reasons stated above. We work hand-in-hand with police and fire sector partners to ensure the highest levels of service.

The Tri- Service Safety Officers in Devon and Cornwall perform a unique role. They are neither police officers or firefighters and their role is to provide early intervention, prevention, and an operational response through collaborative working between Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP), Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Cornwall Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team.