CFRS Weekly Update 04.08.23
Memory Lane Heritage Group
On Tuesday the 1st August, the Egremont based “Memory Lane Heritage Group” held a presentation ceremony with the crew of Egremont Fire Station and the Fire Fighters Charity rep, Sylvia Stoneham. A cheque for £1000 was presented to the charity which will add to the huge amount of money that Egremont Fire Station raise for charity. Over many years Egremont have raised thousands of pounds with charity events from car washes, walking up Scafell Pike, Santa’s Grotto and textile collection, being placed first nationally for many years, the textile collection 2022/2023 raised £3,666. It would be fair to say that Egremont Fire Station, when it comes to raining money for charity, punch well above their weight. The Heritage Group were treated to a buffet afterwards and Sylvia gave them a talk on the work the Fire Fighters Charity do nationally for the welfare of Fire Service personnel. Sylvia also gave an update to the crews at Egremont, then later at Frizington and Maryport, highlighting the range of services available to them and encouraging any staff to take on the role of “Station Rep” for the charity.
Willy Watson, Station Manager
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British Firefighter Challenge 2023
Three firefighters from CFRS entered the British Firefighter Challenge held in Manchester on 29th and 30th July. Firefighters Ella Stevens, Jen Forster and Danni Cannar all completed the challenging course.
- Ella Stevens – 4 minutes 14 seconds – finishing 5th female overall and 3rd in the 30-39 female age category
- Jen Forster – 4 minutes 23 seconds – finished 10th female overall and 8th in the 30-39 female age category
- Danni Cannar – 5 minutes 59 seconds – finished 5th in the 20-29 female age category
They then joined with a participant from another Service to enter the 4 person team relay and finished 3rd overall.
A fantastic result for all of them and well-deserved. Congratulations!
Jo Richardson, Programme Lead (Transition)
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Reporting Vehicle Defects
Following the changes to local government in Cumbria our fleet maintenance and support is provided by both Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils through a Service Level Agreement.
However, the process of reporting defects on CFRS vehicles and equipment has not changed and is set out in Service Instruction 0005 Reporting Defective CFRS Operational Appliances and Equipment.
If there are any concerns or issues regarding the level of support please email the Fire Transition team at fire.transition@cumbria.gov.uk who can raise this with the respective authority.
Jo Richardson, Programme Lead (Transition)
Retirements at Millom Fire Station
A retirement presentation evening was held at Millom Fire Station to recognise the 26 years of service that Firefighter John Driver has given to CFRS. John joined Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service on the 1st of March 1997, completing just over 26 years’ service to the Millom community. John was presented with a tally with his “time in” and certificate by DCFO Brian Steadman, who also presented his wife Angie with a bouquet of flowers. John was joined by his daughter Emma and grandchildren, alongside his colleagues from his station, to wish him all the very best in his retirement.
Firefighter John Mackie also retired on the same day after 28 years’ service at Millom Fire Station. We wish them both the best in their retirement.
Willy Watson, Station Manager
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Have your say on the future of Cumbria Fire and Rescue
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Peter McCall, is inviting the public to have their say on what people think the priorities should be for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, by completing the public consultation survey. The consultation will help develop the PFCC’s first Fire and Rescue Plan.
Speaking on the consultation, PFCC Peter McCall, said:
“Part of my role as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is to hear the views from Cumbrian residents. Your views will help shape and influence the priorities set out in the Fire and Rescue Plan for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will always prioritise emergency fire and rescue operations. However, this plan will help provide the fire service to focus on other goals, outside of these emergencies, based on what the public want to see.
The consultation asks residents what matters most to them regarding Protection, Prevention and Partnerships.
The Plan will also help me hold the Chief Fire Officer to account throughout the year, to ensure that the Service is prioritising what the public wants.
The survey is now open and will close on Monday 4 September at 12pm. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take this opportunity and complete the survey."
Paper copies of the survey are available. If you wish to receive a paper copy, please contact the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on 01768 217734 or email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk
Office of the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner
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Age Discrimination Remedy - Pension Scams
We have become aware that third party organisations are contacting members of public service pension schemes, such as the firefighters’ pension scheme, selling their help in claiming the 2015 Remedy (McCloud) benefits.
LPPA the administrator for Cumbria Fire Pension Scheme will not request a fee for providing this information.
You do not need to go through a third party to claim these benefits and LPPA will contact you in due course to provide you with your remedial service statement to allow you to make your remedy option.
Please remember to stay vigilant. If you are still unsure or have any concerns over a potential scam, please contact Fire Pensions (firepensions@cumbriafire.gov.uk) or LPPA for clarification.
Sandra Sedgwick, Senior Advisor, Pensions
Firefighter Pensions Schemes Bulletin - Out Now
Colleagues should be aware that the new Firefighters’ Pensions Schemes FPS Bulletin 71 – July 2023 has been issued by the Firefighters Pension Scheme Advisory.
Sandra Sedgwick, Senior Advisor, Pensions
Expression of Interest
Associate Trauma Resus Instructor
Learning and Development are looking to recruit two individuals to the role of Immediate Emergency Care Instructors. The selected individuals will undergo all relevant training through Trauma Resus and be provided with all necessary equipment, working under the guidance and support of the Lead CFRS IEC Instructor.
Expressions of interest are welcomed from individuals who have a passion for trauma care training and preferably have a background of instructing and/or developing others. Individuals must be willing to travel across Cumbria where required and be committed to maintaining their ongoing CPD.
If you would like to be considered for this role, please submit an expression of interest of no more than 500 words to FireService.LD@cumbriafire.gov.uk no later than 12:00 noon on Friday 25th August.
Tom Wright, Station Manager, Learning and Development
Expression of Interest
Temporary On-call opportunity to support Prevention Service
We have an opportunity for On-Call employees to support the Prevention Team with delivering Safe & Well visits on a temporary basis. We are looking for confident and hard-working individuals with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
This opportunity will mean working up-to 37 hours a week (job sharing of a role will be considered) delivering community safety work in rural areas, while also being on duty for any incidents in the area you are working in. We welcome expressions of interest from any On-Call staff who are able to support and we are happy to consider part-time or full-time hours. The hours worked will be processed through your On Call contract at your normal hourly rate.
We are looking for people who will enjoy varied work and interacting with a wide range of people, predominantly in rural areas. You will be delivering Safe & Well visits in people’s homes, making a positive impact for the communities of Cumbria.
Successful candidates will receive an induction and training for the community activities, and you should be comfortable with lone working and able to make informed decisions based on information available. You will be supporting the work delivered by a friendly and professional team, who will be on hand for queries and support when needed.
Expressions of interest are invited from current On-Call staff.
If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please email SM Andrew Lowes, at andrew.lowes@cumbriafire.gov.uk, to request the expression of interest document. We are asking that anyone interested completes the expression of interest document, answering the 4 questions included, in no more than 400 words (100 words per question). A selection process will be held to determine the most suitable applicants.
Ollie Wright, Resourcing, Talent and Wellbeing Lead
Expression of Interest
Temporary Stores Person opportunity
The Technical Services and Stores Team are looking to appoint a Stores Person on an initial 3-month temporarily basis, based at Fire Service Headquarters.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in supporting the delivery of operational response and training within the service. The role involves stock management, delivery of PPE to stations across the county, working closely with the technical services colleagues to ensure that front line equipment is available for operational use.
Expressions of interest are invited from current Wholetime and On-call Firefighters.
If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit an expression of interest along with 400 words explaining why you feel you would be best suited for the role using the form link below. A selection process will be held to determine the most suitable applicant.
Please submit your expressions of interest to Owen.McCarney@cumbriafire.gov.uk no later than Friday 11th August 2023.
Please contact GM Owen McCarney if you have any further questions or require any additional information.
Owen McCarney, Group Manager
Expression of Interest
Temporary Technical Services Risk Technician opportunity
The Technical Services and Stores team are looking to appoint a Technical Service Risk Technician on an initial 3-month temporarily basis, based at Fire Service Headquarters.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in supporting the service delivery and training teams in their front-line function. The role involves monitoring service equipment to ensure operational readiness, delivery of equipment to stations across the county, working closely with the store department colleagues to ensure that front line equipment is available for operational use.
Expressions of interest are invited from current Wholetime and On-call Firefighters.
If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit an expression of interest along with 400 words explaining why you feel you would be best suited for the role using the form link below. A selection process will be held to determine the most suitable applicant.
Please submit your expressions of interest to Owen.McCarney@cumbriafire.gov.uk no later than Friday 11th August 2023.
Please contact GM Owen McCarney if you have any further questions or require any additional information.
Owen McCarney, Group Manager
Electronic 541 Form launched for testing
Staff from Ulverston Fire Station have designed and built an electronic 541 - Community Engagement & Activity Form. The form has been published in a test environment on SharePoint for the month of August to allow staff to access and get familiar with the information fields.
Staff must still use the existing 541 form until the 1st September when we plan for the new electronic 541 to go live across the Service.
The new form will enable staff to capture all of the traditional safety activities being undertaken as well as the broader engagement that is conducted in the community such as attendance at Local Hub Meetings, running positive action events or attending a community coffee morning. Home Safety Visits will continue to be recorded and reported through CFIRMIS.
The link to the form can be saved on a mobile device so that it can be accessed remotely. If you have any feedback on the form itself, please send it to HART@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Thank you to Ulverston Fire Station for driving this improvement that will go live in September.
Ian Seel, Area Manager, Head of Prevention
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