New consultation launched by Kent Fire and Rescue Service to best support rural communities

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has launched a new consultation to gauge how it can best support rural communities in Kent and Medway.

The consultation is part of its four-year action plan and KFRS are specifically seeking the public’s views on whether they support their future plans to help protect rural communities and whether their proposed changes to the location of a water rescue vehicle in the county are viable.

The survey itself takes around five minutes to complete and can be done via the KFRS website.

KFRS’ aim is to work closely with those who pay for its services through their council tax, gaining their views and consent to make changes that will help keep everyone safer.

What’s being proposed?

Over the next four years, KFRS is proposing several targeted prevention and protection activities.  However, this consultation is mainly focusing on two parts in particular.

The first part revolves around what KFRS can do for rural communities. This includes positioning dedicated wildfire response teams at key locations, working with locals to manage green spaces and to increase awareness of fire safety, helping people how to prepare for and recover from emergencies and to minimise the environmental impact of fire and rescue operations in rural settings.

The second part is to make sure water rescue equipment is based in the most effective location. As such, discussing moving a water safety unit from Sheppey to Strood features prominently within the consultation.

When’s the deadline to complete the survey?

The consultation will close on Wednesday 1 October 2025.