New fire prevention plan approved
The Capital Area Fire Department has implemented a new fire prevention plan. This new plan replaces the previous version and is valid for five years, until 2030.
The Housing and Construction Authority and municipalities within the Fire Department's service area have approved the new fire prevention plan. Under fire safety laws, the fire prevention plan aims to ensure the fire department is properly staffed, organized, equipped, and trained to handle all assigned duties. The plan draws from a service area risk assessment that guides the fire department's size and structure, helps prioritize actions and funding, and improves safety for local residents.
The Capital Area Fire Department board signed the plan. Board members include Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, mayor of Reykjavík; Ásdís Kristjánsdóttir, mayor of Kópavogur; Valdimar Víðisson, mayor of Hafnarfjörður; Almar Guðmundsson, mayor of Garðabær; Regína Ásvaldsdóttir, mayor of Mosfellsbær; and Þór Sigurgeirsson, mayor of Seltjarnarnes. Þorbjörg Gísladóttir signed the plan for Kjósarhreppur municipality, along with Hermann Jónasson, CEO of the Housing and Construction Authority, and Jón Viðar Matthíasson, chief of the Capital Area Fire Department.
"The capital area has experienced rapid growth in recent years, and forecasts show this trend will continue. Significant population growth and new construction have impacted Capital Area Fire Department operations. This includes higher call volumes and longer response times. One way we're improving our response is by building a new fire station in Tónahvarf in Kópavogur, scheduled to open within five years. We also plan to build a station at Völlurinn in Hafnarfjörður within the next 10 years," says Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, mayor and chair of the Capital Area Fire Department board.
"Fire prevention plans are essential management tools for all fire departments in carrying out their legal fire safety responsibilities. The Capital Area Fire Department handles diverse responsibilities as Iceland's largest fire department, serving both densely populated and expansive areas. This plan outlines how the department must develop over the coming years to meet its challenges," says Hermann Jónasson, CEO of the Housing and Construction Authority.
Jón Viðar Matthíasson, chief of the Capital Area Fire Department, welcomed the new fire prevention plan, adding that he looks forward to exciting times ahead in strengthening the department. "This new plan helps us continue performing our legal duties effectively, along with other tasks we're assigned," says Jón Viðar.