Hertfordshire Blue Light Services

Direct Access has undertaken disability accessibility audits for over 30 blue light services in Hertfordshire for Hertfordshire Police and for Hertfordshire County Council which is responsible for the premises used by Hertfordshire Fire Brigade and some locations by the East of England NHS Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

For Hertfordshire Police, Direct Access’ NRAC Access Audit programme looked at ways of improving access for D/deaf and disabled people to police stations ranging from front desks to accessible custody suites. Hertfordshire Fire Service which consists of a variety of manned, on-call, and community fire stations, also includes buildings that provide community education facilities for young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) who are no longer part of formal education programmes.

All blue light services in Hertfordshire were audited in accordance with Part M Building Regulations and British Standards BS 8300. Consideration about the balancing of accessibility with the need to maintain operational security of custody areas was a key feature of reports.

These include Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, Letchworth, Potters Bar and Ware.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service covers an area of 1,514 square miles (3,920 km2) and a population of 1.19 million.