GLOUCESTERSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is asking people in the Forest of Dean to have their say on how fire and rescue services will operate over the next four years, as part of a public consultation on its new Community Risk Management Plan for 2026 to 2030.

The draft plan sets out how the Service will identify and manage risks across Gloucestershire, including fire cover, flooding and wildfires, while making sure resources are used effectively and targeted where they are needed most. The consultation is open until Sunday, February 8.

Forest of Dean MP Matt Bishop has encouraged residents to take part, describing the consultation as “a real opportunity to influence decisions that affect the safety of our communities”.

A Community Risk Management Plan is a legal requirement for fire and rescue services and provides a clear strategy for how services will be delivered.

The new plan outlines how Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service will respond to a range of challenges between 2026 and 2030.

These include implementing recommendations from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, learning from major national incidents such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena attack, and continuing cultural improvements following an independent review carried out in 2024.

The plan also considers the growing impact of climate change, particularly the increased risk of flooding and wildfires, which are issues of particular relevance in rural areas such as the Forest of Dean.

Ongoing pressure on public sector funding and the need to run an efficient but effective service are also addressed.

Residents are being asked to read a condensed version of the draft plan and respond to a series of questions. Feedback will be used to shape the final CRMP before it is presented to Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet for approval in spring 2026.