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Joint Emergency Services in Kilwinning
12/12/2007
A shared vehicle workshop for all three emergency services which will result in £1.3 million of efficiency savings was opened in Ayrshire today.
The workshop is the first of its kind in the UK and is the result of a unique partnership between the ambulance, fire and police service in Scotland to share workshop facilities and reduce costs.
The project was funded by the Scottish Government, £1.7 million over two years, after public bodies were invited to bid for funding for initiatives that made best use of resources and could demonstrate efficiency savings.
Ahead of launching the Government's new Action Plan for Health and Wellbeing in Parliament in the afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon the Health Secretary opened the Tripartite Fleet Workshop in Kilwinning, Ayrshire.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:
"This is a fantastic collaboration which will save Scottish emergency services up to £4.9 million every year when rolled out to the rest of Scotland. The vehicle workshops at Kilwinning and Ayr ambulance stations will service and maintain over 250 vehicles operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
"This has meant a new police vehicle workshop originally planned for Irvine is now no longer needed - an immediate saving of £1.3 million. The money saved will be re-directed into front line services for each organisation.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally open the workshop which is an excellent example of how partners can work together to improve operational efficiency and at the same time demonstrate genuine value for money and savings to the public."
Efficiency savings will be made through collaborating on vehicle procurement, maintenance and administration.