Thames Valley Fire Control Service

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, Oxfordshire County Council and Royal Berkshire Fire Authority have collaborated to deliver a single joint emergency call handling, mobilising and resource management function. Based in Calcot, Reading, it is here all emergency calls are taken for the whole of the Thames Valley area which includes the counties of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Royal Berkshire. 

Thames Valley Fire Control Service (TVFCS) was officially opened on 17 July 2015 by the Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister of State for Communities and Resilience.

Calls can come from a variety of sources – the general public, alarm receiving centres and other emergency services and authorities.

The three Fire Authorities appointed a joint committee under section 102 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 to provide overall strategic oversight and direction for TVFCS. Two Member councillors are appointed from each Fire Authority on an annual basis, totalling six member representatives. Officers from each fire and rescue service also attend Joint Committee meetings.

Meetings are open to the public and are held on a quarterly basis in March, July, September and December. Agenda papers are published five working days in advance of the meeting.  

Details of forthcoming meetings, agenda papers and previous meetings are available on the Joint Commitee pages.

For further information about how TVFCS use personal data, please read the Emergency (999) Calls, Incidents and Response Privacy Notice.