Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is changing the way it responds to Automatic Fire Alarms in certain types of buildings as of 01 August 2025. Following a public consultation, HIWFRS will no longer automatically send crews when there is an automatic fire alarm notification in buildings with no sleeping risk, during the hours of 08:00 and 18:00hrs, unless there are confirmed signs of fire. Automatic fire alarm notifications  This policy applies to commercial, non-residential buildings such as shops, offices, leisure centers, libraries, and warehouses. The Service will continue to attend automatic fire alarm notifications at buildings where there is a sleeping risk, such as hotels, hospitals, care homes, houses, and flats.  There are also exceptions for heritage buildings, educational institutions during holidays, and specific alarm specifications. In all cases, an emergency response will continue to be sent to 999 calls and confirmed fires.  Change in response to AFAs In 2023, this resulted in almost 6,500 false alarm attendances by HIWFRS firefighters Service data shows that over 97% of the automatic fire alarm calls received turned out to be false alarms. In 2023, this resulted in almost 6,500 false alarm attendances by HIWFRS firefighters.  The change in response to AFAs aims to reduce unnecessary disruptions to businesses and it gives the service more time and resources to focus on other priorities, such as increasing fire prevention in the community and freeing up firefighters to respond to real emergencies. Neighbouring fire services    Neighbouring fire services already follow this policy, freeing up their crews to ensure they are available to respond to real emergencies, rather than false alarms, which are often caused by aerosol sprays, cooking fumes, or poorly maintained fire alarm systems.  Ahead of the changes, HIWFRS is running an awareness campaign to help owners of premises affected to understand the change and ensure that they are meeting their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.   Adequate fire safety measures HIWFRS is running an awareness campaign to help owners of premises affected to understand the change Phil Barrett, HIWFRS Area Manager for Service Delivery, said: "This change will help strengthen our response to more urgent incidents and enable the service to better utilize resources across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."   He adds, "We will be sharing information on our website and social media channels, as well as engaging with as many affected premises as possible, to ensure they are aware of the change and continue to have adequate fire safety measures in place." Dedicated AFA area Further information on preparing for the changes can be found in the dedicated AFA area of the HIWFRS website. HIWFRS is also running a series of free webinars to help Responsible Persons and business owners to prepare for the changes on 30 May and 27 June.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has been appointed as the new Chief Fire Officer to lead Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, becoming the organization’s first female chief.  Set to start her new role later this year following a handover period with current Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, Sabrina joins them from her position as chief of the neighboring fire service in West Sussex. Prior roles of Sabrina  Sabrina, who has previously held senior fire service roles with London Fire Brigade and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Sabrina, who has previously held senior fire service roles with London Fire Brigade and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service prior to joining West Sussex in 2019, was awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal for distinguished service and gallantry in the 2023 Birthday Honors.  Speaking of her appointment, Sabrina said: “I am truly honored to have been appointed to lead Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and am incredibly excited to begin this new role to ensure that the Service continues to deliver for the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."  Service’s improvement plan Sabrina added: “I would like to formally put on record my thanks to the Service’s current Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, who I have been privileged to work alongside for many years. I know that his time leading the Service will leave a lasting legacy that I will work with to ensure that residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are kept safe from the risk of fire and emergencies."  “I am incredibly proud of the time that I spent at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, where I was equally as privileged to work with some incredible people as we worked together to deliver the Service’s improvement plan. It is with a heavy heart that I leave the Service, but know that I am leaving the Service in safe hands and I take with me many fond memories and friendships."  “I am very much looking forward to working with all colleagues at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to uphold all of the fantastic work that all of its teams deliver each and every day to keep the residents living and working in its communities safe.”  Chief Fire Officer for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority Chairman, Cllr Rhydian Vaughan MBE said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sabrina as our new chief fire officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The role of chief fire officer is one of huge responsibility, and following our rigorous recruitment process, I am certain Sabrina is the right person to lead us forward.”  “I am very much looking forward to welcoming Sabrina when she formally joins us later this year. As a fire authority we look forward to working with her and to support her in being at the helm of this incredible organization." Sabrina joined South Wales Fire and Rescue  Sabrina joined South Wales Fire and Rescue at 18 years old in 2001 after sharing homelessness from the age of 15 Sabrina joined South Wales Fire and Rescue at 18-years-old in 2001 after experiencing homelessness from the age of 15. Selling the Big Issue, she developed a curiosity to serve in the fire service in the hope of being able to help people when they needed it most.  As well as being an ambassador for The Big Issue, she is also an advocate of Prince William’s Homewards foundation, and during her time at South Wales, led a partnership of uniformed youth groups of which HRH King Charles (then The Prince of Wales) was patron.  Educational Background of Sabrina In her time working in the fire sector, Sabrina has completed numerous secondments, including to the Welsh Government, HMICFRS, interim Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Surrey and currently serves as the NFCC’s Improvement Chair and National Lead for Working Dogs.  Alongside serving, Sabrina has studied psychology at both the Open University and Cardiff University, completing a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience, and has since been awarded numerous honorary doctorates.  Several significant incidents Sabrina was appointed as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the London Fire Brigade As well being a published author, her research into the decision-making of incident commanders has received many academic accolades and influenced policy change across the world.  In 2015, Sabrina was appointed as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the London Fire Brigade, where she was a commander in the response to several significant incidents, including the Westminster Bridge and Finsbury Park terror attacks, and in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. Following a 34-year career in the fire service, Neil Odin is due to retire after more than seven years in the top job.  Sabrina leadership skills Neil said: “As well as her commendable and notable professional successes over more than two decades, I have also had the privilege of working with Sabrina for many years."   “Embodying our Service Values, Sabrina will bring a fresh outlook, strong leadership skills, and invaluable experience, ensuring the Service continues to adapt, improve and thrive. I know that she will find Hampshire and Isle of Wight a great place to work, and receive a warm welcome from the staff, partners and communities.” 

Portsmouth City Council is investing £9.5 million over the next five years in retrofitting sprinklers in high-rise blocks as part of a £22 million package of fire safety measures. The announcement comes at the start of the NFCC’s Sprinkler Safety Week and is supported by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service working in partnership with the city. retrofit program The retrofit program was due to start but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The council carried out a feasibility study for the installation of sprinkler systems in all tower blocks in the council’s housing portfolio. Working with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service the council created a risk matrix to prioritise the work: Height of the building Number of escape stairs The proportion of supported-living residents Presence of mains gas Location The council has created a framework of contractors who can undertake the design and installation of sprinkler systems with the first phase of retrofitting work 'anticipated to be on-site by autumn 2021'. impact of sprinklers Sprinklers can prevent small fires from becoming much more significant incidents" Steve Groves, the Head of Building Maintenance at Portsmouth City Council said, "Our priority is to ensure that residents are safe in their homes. The work to retrofit sprinklers is part of our strategy to improve the safety of our high-rise blocks and further reduce the risk of a major fire incident.” Jason Avery, the Assistant Director for Prevention and Protection at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said, “Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has worked hard to highlight the impact sprinklers can have to prevent small fires becoming much more significant incidents, drastically reducing the threat to life.” sprinkler demonstrations As part of community engagement, residents will be able to view sprinkler demonstrations in existing flats. As well as retrofitting sprinklers, the council has committed to a program of fire safety improvements including replacing fire doors and external paneling, which has already begun.  Over the course of the next five years, the council has committed to spend £10m on new fire doors.