Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Operational area
Country	England
Counties	Devon
Unitary authorities	Plymouth Somerset Torbay
Agency overview
Established	1 April 2007
Employees	1,850
Chief Fire Officer	Gavin Ellis
Facilities and equipment
Stations	83[1]
Engines	121[1]
Website
www.dsfire.gov.uk

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the counties Devon and Somerset in South West England – an area of 3,924 square miles (10,160 km²).^[1] It serves a population of 1.75 million,^[1] and is the fifth largest fire and rescue service in the United Kingdom.^[2]

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service was founded on 1 April 2007, following the merger of Devon Fire and Rescue Service with Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.^[2] The Somerset service, previously known as Somerset Fire Brigade, was formed on 1 April 1948. Devon Fire Brigade was formed in 1973, by the amalgamation of Exeter City Fire Brigade, Plymouth City Brigade and Devon County Brigade. It became Devon Fire and Rescue Service in 1987.

The main headquarters is located at Clyst St George near Exeter. Its main training centre is the Service Training Centre (STC) at Plympton fire station. It employs approximately 1,850 staff, including 578 wholetime firefighters and 36 control room staff, 930 retained firefighters and 300 non-uniformed staff.

Each county operated its own control room until 2012, but they now have a single control room at the main headquarters.