Fire Service Act 1947 gave birth to County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority on April 1 1948. Over the years, it became one of the biggest fire services in the North East of England. It is covering an area of 2,522 kilometers square and is responsible to 519,000 people. It shares borders with Cleveland Fire Brigade, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. Today, the service has now its own training school, workshops and HQ based at Framwellgate Moor.
Currently, the service has 2 stations crewed 24 hours every day, 6 whole-time and retained stations, 7 retained/on-call stations and 4 community fire safety centers.
The service answers every call from 999 within 1.46 seconds; they respond within 8 minutes in 70% dwelling fires and 90% within eleven minutes. They also respond within 11 minutes in 75& road accidents and 90% within fifteen minutes. Apparently, the service has varied tasks which range from road and traffic accidents, rescuing trapped individuals, putting out fires, etc. The service as well is into community fire safety which means that they are initiating fora, symposia and/or orientations, to inform and educate the public regarding fire prevention measures.
