CFRS Weekly Update 15.09.2023
Pensions Awareness Week
This week is Pensions Awareness Week so it is timely to remind you of what a fantastic benefit the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme is. There is a variety of helpful information and resources available including:
So this week Pay Your Pension Some Attention!
Salary Sacrifice AVC’s now available (for LGPS staff only)
An additional pension benefit that the CFRS offers to LGPS staff is Salary Sacrifice AVC’s (Additional Voluntary Contributions). This allows you to save additional amounts towards your pension, without paying tax or National Insurance on the contributions. In most cases, you will also have the option of taking your AVC pot as a tax-free lump sum when you retire.
To find out more please visit our Shared Cost AVC partner platform AVC Wise, click on ‘Register’ in the top right and select Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
Once registered you can view the benefits of SCAVC’s, including calculators and videos. You can also register for a variety of helpful webinars that AVC Wise run about pensions and SC AVCs.
Helen Clark, HR Manager
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Station Manager Promotion Board - 2023
The Station Manager Promotion Board process is now live and we are welcoming applications from existing Watch and Station Managers, both from our internal talent and from those looking to progress or move into our service. The closing date for applications is Sunday 24th September 2023, and as part of the process we are holding an online engagement session for all interested candidates to find out more about the role, our service, and the process. The session is on Weds 20th Sept at 14:00 – 15:00, held via Microsoft Teams, and all are welcome to join the informal session.
The link to the engagement session is here: Click here to join the meeting
The link to the Station Manager information pack and application form is: here
If you have any queries, please contact the Resourcing team on: Recruitment@Cumbriafire.gov.uk
Orlanda Wright, Resourcing, Talent & Wellbeing Lead
Operational Assurance Phone Number
The Operational Assurance Team are pleased to announce the launch of our new telephone number: 07766 422 166!
This will allow for photos of command support and other incident documentation to be sent directly to the team via WhatsApp.
After any incident, we kindly request that OIC’s ensure photographs are taken of each piece of documentation, including BA boards and briefing logs, making sure that all writing is clear and legible. These photos should then be sent to the provided WhatsApp number. Additionally, we ask that all physical paper documentation be gathered and sent through internal mail to the Operational Assurance Department in Penrith as soon as possible.
Operational Assurance plays a pivotal role in the continuous learning and growth, benefiting not only you and the service but also effecting national guidance. Debriefs serve as a crucial platform for you to share your insights, reflecting on how the incident unfolded and felt from your perspective. It's your chance to shape the future by expressing how you envision improvements for next time.
If you would like any further information please mail, OperationalAssurance@cumbriafire.gov.uk.
Operational Assurance Team
Cumbria Fire Local Pension Board
Do you want to get involved in the governance of your Fire Pension Scheme?
Are you interested in being a Scheme Member Representative?
Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority (CCFRA), as Scheme Manager of the Cumbria Firefighters Pension Schemes (Cumbria FPS), is looking to appoint a Scheme Member Representative to the Cumbria Fire Local Pension Board (the Board).
We’re also looking to appoint an additional substitute to the scheme Member Representative role on the Board.
To find out more click here or email Firepensions@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Sandra Sedgwick, Senior Pensions Advisor
Cumbria Fire Local Pension Board
If you would like to attend one of the Cumbria Fire Local Pension Board meetings, the next meeting is 10am on Thursday 8th November 2023 at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service HQ Penrith in the Community Room.
Future Meetings
10am Monday 12 February 2024
10am Monday 20 May 2024
10am Monday 5 August 2024
10am Monday 4 November 2024
(Venues to be confirmed)
Sandra Sedgwick, Senior Pensions Advisor
Secondary Employment
This is a polite reminder to all wholetime and corporate employees to complete the secondary employment form, whether you undertake a second role or not. The deadline for this is 31st October 2023. This applies to voluntary work as well as paid positions. It is important that our records are up to date and complete so that we can provide accurate numerical reports, including to HMI.
If you have not done so already, please complete the form as soon as possible using this link:
Secondary Employment form – wholetime staff
Secondary Employment form - corporate (green book) staff
The collected information will then be reviewed, and relevant authorisation sought where secondary roles are declared.
If you are struggling to complete the form please contact Fire.SDS@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Working Time Regulations (48-hour opt out)
If you wish to work/are working more than 48 hours a week you must opt out of the Working Time Regulations by completing this: worker opt-out form.
If you have any questions regarding either of these processes or associated regulations, please contact myself directly or the HR Team at: hr@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Takara Hanks, Senior HR Advisor
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