Berkshire emergency services are working in close collaboration with Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire in a move to increase innovation and efficiency.

The counties' fire rescue services, plus police and ambulance services, are working together as part of an ambitious strategy.

Collaboration projects are underway, and it is hoped that the change will see joint control rooms, shared estates and assets, first response and co-responding, information sharing, recruitment and shared specialist capabilities.

Many of these elements are already underway across the emergency services within Thames Valley, with several other innovative projects planned for the coming months.

The Thames Valley Fire Control Service, based in Calcot, Reading, is a joint fire service control room serving the people of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire, helping a combined population of two million people with the help of the most up-to-date technology.

Since opening in April 2015, the service has delivered significant savings to all three services.

By the end of 2024-25, total savings of nearly £16 million are expected thanks to the increased efficiency and improved performance the shared control room allows.

Another example is jointly purchased fire engines.

The next generation of fire engines is now serving in the Thames Valley following a successful project run in a partnership between the three rescue services.

A total of 37 new fire engines will be delivered by 2021, with 15 delivered in 2017: eight for Buckinghamshire, three for Oxfordshire and four for Berkshire.

This project will lead to estimated savings of more than £700,000.

The vehicles are based at stations close to the three services’ shared borders and replace existing vehicles.

There are a number of other examples of successfully shared fire stations and witness care units, and many more projects are planned for the future.

Assistant chief fire officer Simon Jefferies, collaboration lead for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), said: "The blue light services of the Thames Valley have a proud tradition of collaboration and by working together with our emergency services partners we can ensure that we provide the best value for money for the people we serve.

"This important document outlines the collaboration that has been going on for a number of years between the three fire and rescue services and our partners, including the move to a shared Thames Valley Fire Control Service in 2015.

"The existing willingness to work together, combined with a new legislative approach, will provide structure and a renewed emphasis for emergency service partners to develop, improve and maintain their collaborative working arrangements with new and existing partners."

Lynne Swift, who works for Buckingham Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) and is also the collaboration lead for BFRS, said: "Working together and sharing accommodation with other emergency services both increases opportunities for more partnership work and provides savings for the public.

"We will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate and where possible share accommodation with other emergency services to ensure that we provide the best possible service and value for money to the communities of Thames Valley."

Assistant chief fire officer Rob McDougall, collaboration lead for OFRS, explained: "The Thames Valley region is a leading example of public sector collaboration which is not only an effective and efficient way of working, but a moral duty to help protect the communities we serve.

"It further embeds shared working practices and allows us to better align our response to ensure our communities receive an effective response no matter which side of the county border they live in."