Freedom of Information
Our commitment to openness
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s publication scheme aims to provide as much information about us as possible and is available via our website. Please ensure that you check the publication scheme prior to making a request for information as it is intended to provide the quickest and easiest access to any information that is already freely accessible.
Our Access to Information Policy describes West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s approach to making information available to the public and details our commitment to sharing information; to making it available to anyone who is interested in it.
We strongly believe that by publishing information about fires, other emergencies and how we manage our services we will achieve greater understanding, trust, engagement and openness with the public. Information about our services, particularly the provision of fire safety advice, is critical to achieving our principal aim: Provide an excellent Fire and Rescue Service working in partnership to reduce death, injury and economic loss and contribute to community wellbeing.
To find out more about our publication scheme, please see our Guidance on the Freedom of Information Act by clicking here.
We have also made a commitment to openness to provide, as far as possible, information not currently covered by our publication scheme.
To request general information which we hold that is not included in the publication scheme please refer to the Freedom of Information Requests section below.
If you are requesting personal information that you believe West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service holds about you then refer to the Data Protection Subject Access Requests section below.
Freedom of Information Requests
If you cannot find the information you require on our website or through our publication scheme, please complete the Information Request Form below and either return it by post, email or fax. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives a “general right of access” to information held by public authorities.
Exemptions
Some information may fall under one of the exemptions under the Act and, therefore, may not be released.
Charges
In most cases, information will be supplied free of charge. However, a charge may be applicable to some information, particularly for paper copies sent out by the post or where a substantial amount of work would be involved in retrieving the requested information. You will be advised of costs prior to any work being undertaken.
When will I get a reply?
Your completed form will be processed and the information will be sent directly to you at the postal or email (if appropriate) address you have supplied with your request.
We aim to dispatch the information as soon as possible and in any case within 20 working days of receiving your completed form. If we have not responded to your request within this time, please contact:
Information Management Officer
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Oakroyd Hall
Birkenshaw
West Yorkshire
BD11 2DY
Tel: 01274 655760
Fax: 01274 651315
Email: information@westyorksfire.gov.uk
Data Protection Subject Access Requests
If you are requesting information that you believe West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service holds about you, you are entitled to do this under the Data Protection Act 1998. Such requests are known as Subject Access Requests and can be made using the form below.
Your Subject Access Rights
Subject to certain exemptions, you have a right to be informed whether West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service holds any information about you (your ‘personal data’) and a right to be provided with a copy of that personal data within a 40 day period.
If you wish to exercise these rights please complete the Subject Access Request Form carefully, providing as much detail as possible to narrow the search and locate the precise information you require. You also need to send the £10.00 fee together with the proof of identity with the form to the address listed below.
Fee
Your Subject Access Request will cost £10.00. You are encouraged to pay the fee by cheque as regulations over the handling of cash may delay your request. Cheques should be made payable to ‘West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’.
Proof of Identity
To ensure that personal data does not fall into the wrong hands West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service needs to be satisfied with the identity of the requester. Consequently you are asked to provide evidence of your identity and address by supplying copies of at least two official documents which between them provide sufficient information to prove your name, date of birth, current address and signature.
Returning the Form
Once completed please post the printed form together with your identification documents and the fee to:
Information Management Team
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Oakroyd Hall
Birkenshaw
West Yorkshire
BD11 2DY
Once we have received your completed application and we are satisfied that the request is valid the process to provide you with the information will begin and may take up to 40 days.
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