CFRS Weekly Update - 01.09.2023
URGENT STAFF REMINDER
Please can we politely remind all CFRS staff that smoking and vaping are not permitted in service vehicles, on service premises and/or off service premises when in service uniform. Any member of staff who is reported to have done so, may be subject to formal investigation under the disciplinary procedure. Further guidance on the matter will be making its way around stations in the foreseeable future but in the meantime, please can Station Managers ensure crews are aware of this message.
HR Department
Fire & Rescue Authorities - DBS Checks - All Staff Q&A Sessions
Following the inclusion of Fire and Rescue Authorities in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions), all fire and rescue authority employee and volunteer roles are required to have a Standard DBS Check. Depending on activities undertaken, the frequency of those activities, and a risk assessment undertaken by CFRS, there may be some discretion for employees to be eligible for Enhanced levels of DBS checks (with or without Barred List checks).
All Staff Q&A Sessions
We are holding the below Q&A sessions for all staff to come to.
To join one of the Q&A sessions, please click the Microsoft Teams links below at the time of the session.
FAQs
Please refer to the linked FAQs to understand what information you need to give, including detail on unspent convictions and cautions, spent convictions and cautions, and what will show up on the relevant level of DBS check.
Link to FAQs: FAQs.docx
If you have any queries, please contact the HR team on HR@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Ollie Wright, Resourcing, Talent and Wellbeing Lead
Disciplinary procedure revisions for corporate staff (green book)
As we have disaggregated from Cumbria County Council the appeal procedure within our disciplinary procedure for corporate staff (green book) was no longer viable.
The HR Team have consulted with Trade Union Colleagues to refresh the procedure to make process more relevant for CFRS staff now that we are a stand alone service.
Key amendments:
- Replaced employer references to CFRS
- Removed references to schools / Headteacher / School process
- References to him / her replaced with neutral language
- Amended appeal procedure (removed staffing committee relaced with appeal is heard by appropriate level of Senior Management) simplified process to fall inline with grey book colleagues
- Rebranded onto new corporate template
The new procedure is now available on Sharepoint Fire - Human Resources - Disciplinary - All Documents (sharepoint.com). If you have any queries please contact the HR Team directly hr@cumbriafire.gov.uk
HR Manager
Regional EFS event 29th September - Carlisle East Fire Station - OPEN TO ALL STAFF
Cumbria WFS are excited to open the booking for a place on the WFS Regional Event.
We have talks from our very own Group Manager Angela Opie and the record-breaking long distance fell runner Sabrina Verjee and a number of practical development sessions in SRT, Incident Command, RTC and ALP.
There will also be the chance to have a go at the Firefighter Challenge, which will be running all day lead by multi–Firefighter Challenge winner Chrissy Downer and members of Cheshire Firefighter Challenge team.
Along with workshops in Menopause – The Facts, lead by Dr Cath Munro, a GP and currently one of only 2 British Menopause Society-accredited menopause specialists in the whole of Lancashire and South Cumbria, and Growth Mindset- the chance to develop a greater understanding of the difference between a growth and fixed mindset.
Book your place to join Cumbria WFS as they host this inclusive, all genders learning experience and discover a unique space to inspire, network, and unlock your potential. This training and development event is open to all staff, operational, functional and wider corporate colleagues. To book your place and find out more information follow the link below.
https://wfscumbria2023.eventbrite.co.uk/
Places are limited, but if you would like to volunteer on the day and assist in the workshops, or have any further questions, please contact WFS@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Women in Fire Service, Cumbria
Family Leave Procedure
The HR team have been working with Trade Union colleagues to review the service’s maternity/ paternity and adoption policy. The new ‘Family Leave’ procedure has now been agreed and can be found on Sharepoint Fire - Human Resources - Maternity, Adoption, Paternity Leave - All Documents (sharepoint.com).
The main changes to the Family Leave procedure are:
- Replaced employer references to CFRS and removed references to schools/ schools processes
- Extended Occupational Maternity/ Adoption/ Shared Parental pay from the current 6 weeks to 26 weeks full pay (subject to qualifying conditions)
- Extended Paternity Pay from one week full pay and one week statutory pay to 2 weeks full pay (subject to qualifying conditions)
- Increased entitlements to time off to attend adoption appointments in line with time off for antenatal appointments
- Addition of manager guidance in relation to managing returns to work
The new entitlements will apply to any periods of family leave beginning on or after 1st September 2023.
Helen Clark, HR Manager
Expression of Interest
Watch Manager opportunity: To develop, co-ordinate, and deliver an Anti-Social Driving initiative. 18 Month fixed term post, joining the Prevention team.
We have an exciting fixed-term opportunity for existing Watch Manager, Crew Manager, or Competent FF to support the Prevention Team with delivering and coordinating an Anti-Social Driving initiative. We are looking for a confident and hard-working individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
The ideal candidate will have proven leadership ability, will role model our values, and have the Core Code of Ethics at the heart of what they do.
You will be employed in the post of Watch Manager B, on an 18-month temporary basis, and this opportunity will mean working 42 hours a week.
We are looking for a person who will enjoy varied work and interacting with a wide range of people and partners making a positive impact for the communities of Cumbria. You will be working with the Police and Fire Crime Commissioners Office and Partners from the Police with the specific brief to reduce Anti-social driving in a specific area of Cumbria. You will deliver reports and information to all levels of leadership and various stakeholders.
The successful candidate will receive a thorough induction and briefing on the role, and you should be comfortable with lone working and able to make informed decisions based on information available. You will be developing and delivering the programme, as well as evaluating the programmes progress against key performance indicators.
Expressions of interest are invited from current whole time and On Call FF’s, CM’s and WM’s. We require you to discuss with your existing line manager if you are interested in the role and only submit an expression of interest with your Line manager sighted.
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.
Due to the required turnaround, we are asking that candidates submit the expression of interest documents by 3pm on Friday 8th of September 2023. We will not be able to consider documents sent after this.
A selection process will be held as soon as possible to determine the most suitable applicant.
Andrew Lowes, Station Manager, Prevention
M/ETANE Notebooks for Appliances
Following on from the article placed in CFRS Update on 30.06.23 with regards to changes to SI0003 Standard Radio Procedures, specifically with regards to ETHANE messages; M/ETHANE Notebooks will soon be arriving at stations throughout the service.
On receipt, please place in an appropriate location on the appliance for use as and when required.
The front cover re-iterates information about when to use an ETHANE message and when to use an Informative message using the ETHANE format. Inside the front cover is a completed example for reference where required. At the bottom of each page are instructions of where to send completed forms.
Further information is contained within SI0003 Standard Radio Procedures.
If there are any issues or personnel are unsure with regards to when to use these types of messages, please could you feedback to your Line Manager in the first instance, who can then pass any feedback at the forthcoming Supervisory Managers Days.
When Notebook is finished/closed to completion please contact Operational Planning Dept who will replenish with a new one.
Paul Dean, Station Manager, Operational Planning Dept.
New On Line 541 Form
New on line 541 Form goes live today (1/9/2023). This form is designed to allow all staff to record Community work done within our Community in line with our Core Code of Ethics.
The form has been designed by our Crews at Ulverston Community Fire Station. Thank you to Dean Readman for all your hard work and support in getting this form designed and produced.
Please go to the SharePoint Home Page and selection "541 Form" or use the Link
Or use the QR Code below, if you wish to use it on a portable device.
Any feedback to myself.
Andrew Lowes, Station Manager for Prevention
Sanitary Welfare Kits
We have been working on improving the working conditions for our Firefighters within Cumbria to provide access to suitable hygiene, sanitary and shower facilities for gender neutral/female/male personnel. Following feedback and researching what is available we are now delivering Sanitary Welfare kits to each station with one kit per pump, providing firefighters access to sanitary provisions whilst responding to emergency calls.
Each appliance will have one box containing a sealed grey bag and consist of the following items:
1 x Plastic protection box
2 x Regular compact tampons
2 x Super compact tampons
2 x Regular ultra-towels
2 x Super ultra-towels
1 x Pack feminine hygiene wipes (10+)
2 x Pairs nitrile gloves
2 x Alcohol free hand wipes
2 x Clinical waste bags
2 x Paper disposal bags
1 x Toxic shock leaflet - Further information on Toxic Shock Syndrome can be found on the NHS website
1 x Labelled outer bag
Please note: the expiry date of the kits is dictated by the wipes so is added to the front label upon packing - usually 12-24 months, do not open the outer bag until needed for use.
Distribution:
1 x pack per each appliance (including wildfire appliances)
5 x packs on each welfare vehicle
2 x spare packs on each whole-time station
1 x spare pack on on-call stations
This kit is to be stowed in the cab and added to the inventory, it is to be checked on a monthly cycle that it is sealed and within date.
Replacements can be sought via the request system under stores ordering - operational equipment - miscellaneous and will be distributed by stores as and when required.
We would ask that the kits only be used when necessary and should be regarded as an emergency fall back should it be required. Once a pack is opened and used it should then be replaced with a new sealed pack.
Sarah Studholme, Crew Manager, Technical Services
Fire Service Meeting Rooms
From 4 September 2023, the procedure for booking meeting rooms within Fire Stations will be slightly amended. Business Support will no longer confirm room bookings; the team will only contact you if there are any queries with your room booking only.
Can you also ensure if you no longer require the meeting room, that you delete the appointment in the relevant calendar, as we are experiencing a large number of rooms not being used, when booked.
Jane Walker, Business Support Team Leader
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