CFRS Weekly Update - 08.03.24
Weekly Update - at a glance
- Passing-Out Parade for new cohorts on On-Call recruits.
- Phase two of DBS roll-out under way.
- Important guidance issued ahead of PFCC election.
- Successful On-Call Appreciation Evening held at Arnside.
PPE Audit
The Technical Services Department recently conducted a comprehensive survey of all PPE on station. This piece of work was commissioned as part of a short to medium-term PPE planning exercise to ensure our employees receive the best possible protection in the workplace.
This survey revealed an issue with fire boots: namely that there are over 90 pairs that need to be replaced. Can you please ensure that your fire boots have proper tread, stitching, and no exposed metalwork, including toecaps.
Can we request that if fire boots are found to be unsatisfactory, a new pair be ordered immediately, and the old pair be returned to technical services for disposal upon receipt of the new boots.
Supervisory managers are reminded of their obligations under Service Instruction SI 0037 Station Management Framework ‘All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) risk critical checks must be conducted, and the Supervisory Manager should ensure through the inspection of both the PPE and RPE log books that this has been completed’.
Technical Services Department
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New cohorts of On-Call recruits pass out
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We extend our congratulations to our latest two cohorts of On-Call Firefighters, who celebrated their passing out parade on Friday.
In front of their families and friends, the new Firefighters gave a demonstration of some of the skills they have learned, before being presented with their certificates by CFO Rick Ogden and GM Dave Love.
At the ceremony, we had the privilege of remembering our colleague Ryan Johnson with the presentation of a Memorial Award in his honour.
We were pleased to welcome Ryan's wife Shiona to present the award to Firefighter Ryan Williams for the positive attitude shown during his training.
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DBS roll-out phase two
The HR Team would like to thank those people who have completed their check application or been in touch for support with the process so far. We appreciate that some have had issues with the electronic system and that many managers have provided support to their crews and colleagues to get applications complete and subsequent paperwork completed.
Refuser and/or concerns process
The DBS roll-out has now moved into the second phase. This phase is following up on any incomplete checks and reasons for this, including refusals and failures to complete checks.
The process for DBS refusals/concerns can be found here.
It has been presented at Policy JCG and attendees were supportive. It is a three-step process; firstly a letter giving a deadline for completion the check. If the check remains incomplete, the individual will be invited to a meeting with their line manager to discuss this. If the check remains incomplete following the second step, the third step is a meeting with a senior manager to discuss the reasons for the check remaining incomplete; this meeting may potentially result in dismissal.
Verification forms
We will also be following up on outstanding verification forms from managers. Where individuals have received their DBS forms in the post, these should be shown to either a line manager or another manager or member of the HR Team, and a DBS Verification Form completed and submitted to HR.
Colleagues from the People and Talent team will be at various stations across the county across the next month, with further information to follow.
Takara Hanks, Senior HR Advisor
Fond farewell to Linda
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Whitehaven Fire Station has said a fond farewell to cleaner Linda Blacklock, who has retired after 36 years' service.
Linda was presented with a certificate and gifts as a token of our appreciation by CFO Rick Ogden and Green Watch, and all at CFRS wish Linda well in her retirement.
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Firefighter Pensions Scheme Bulletin - Out Now
Colleagues should be aware that the new Firefighters’ Pensions Schemes bulletin 78 FPS Bulletin 78 – February 2024 (fpsregs.org) has been issued by the Firefighters Pension Scheme Advisory.
Vanessa Fidler, Pay, Reward and Pension Advisor
Vacancies
Supervisory Manager Promotion Board – Virtual Engagement Session Reminder!
Thank you to those who joined us for our first virtual engagement session for the Supervisory Manager Promotion Board.
We are holding the second virtual engagement session on the date/time below – please note, the time has changed to 7pm.
This session is for any interested employees to come along and get some guidance, interview tips, and ask any questions to the Resourcing & Talent team and Station Managers working on this process. The same content will be shared at the second session, but all are welcome to join.
- Wednesday 13th March – 7pm – 8pm
If you’ve been unable to make either of the sessions, please contact me directly and we are happy to arrange a third if needed.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 2nd April 2024. If you have any queries, please contact Ollie Wright at Orlanda.wright@cumbriafire.gov.uk
Ollie Wright, Resourcing, Talent & Wellbeing Lead
PFCC elections
On May 2, an election will take place to elect a new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Cumbria.
The Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Police and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, must remain politically independent, therefore a joint protocol has been developed to ensure that transparency and equality for all prospective candidates in the lead up to and through the election is maintained.
The protocol can be found here. Key points are:
- Fire service premises/equipment/resources must not be used to actively promote any individual candidate
- Promotional material must not be used that could be seen as promoting or disadvantaging any candidate
- Candidates are all entitled to access to information about the Service (not confidential), however all requests must be directed to Mark Clement.
- All staff should ensure that if they use social media in an official capacity, it does not endorse any candidate
- Staff should be particularly careful when interacting with media outlets that they are not seen to endorse a particular candidate
If you have any doubts, please err on the side of caution and contact myself for advice.
Further guidance will appear in Weekly Update, and a Q&A session will be arranged for all Station Managers.
Mark Clement, Head of Safety and Assurance
Upgrade of Alcatel telephones
As part of keeping the ICT estate safe and secure, the team are planning to remotely upgrade all Alcatel desk phones with the latest software.
The work will happen out of hours to minimise disruption, however those services who are operational over the weekend will encounter some interruption while their desk handset updates.
During the maintenance window (5pm on Friday, March 15 and 11pm on Sunday, March 17), each Alcatel desk phone, including cordless handsets, will restart once the updated software has been applied. This process may take up to one hour on each handset.
Sites affected:
- All legacy county council offices
- Care homes
- Libraries
- Fire stations
During this period of disruption, staff are advised to use their mobile phones or Microsoft Teams calling.
If you require any further information, please contact the ICT Service Desk who will be able to direct your questions accordingly.
Kevin Troup, Service Manager - ICT Operations
Diversity nomination
We are pleased to share the news that Shine, the neurodiversity and disability network of which we are partners, has been shortlisted for a countywide award.
Shine has been nominated in the annual Diverse Cumbria Awards, which will take place on March 30, and a new video focusing on the group's work and featuring Station Manager Andrew Lowes has been produced as part of the awards process.
Shine was initially established under Cumbria County Council, and has continued since LGR with members from our Service and both unitary councils.
For more information on Shine and our own Neurodiversity and Disability Network, contact Andrew Lowes.
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CRMP consultation continues
Our public consultation on our draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) continues until March 23.
The CRMP provides the strategic context in which the Service can make decisions on prevention, protection and response activity and ensures the service has the workforce with the appropriate resources, skills and support to deliver our priorities.
The strategic document takes into account our understanding of the risk and demand in Cumbria, the level of resources available and the direction set by the PFCC in his recently-published Fire Plan.
Staff input into the objectives outlined in the plan is crucial to ensure the CRMP is viable and the objectives deliverable over the next four years. Please take the opportunity to understand the CRMP and feed back on the objectives here.
Mark Clement, Head of Safety and Assurance
Council apprenticeships available
Our partners at Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have opened their recruitment window for new apprentices.
The authorities have apprenticeship vacancies in Civil Engineering, Highways Maintenance, Adult Support Care, Customer Service, Business Admin, Project Management and more.
If anyone you know is interested in applying, further details are available here.
Research participants required
The service has agreed to support a Keele University masters’ student, Jack Ollerhead, with his dissertation research into the experience and perceptions of counselling in relation to work-related events, for emergency service workers.
Interviews will be recorded and transcribed for the purposes of conducting analysis. These transcripts will be anonymised, and any identifying data will be redacted.
Please see below poster for further details and feel free to contact Jack directly if this is something that you would be interested in taking part in or require any further information.
Takara Hanks, Senior HR Advisor
Arnside crew thanked for their commitment
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The dedication of our On-Call crew at Arnside has been celebrated in our latest Appreciation Evening.
Area Manager Lauren Woodward presented certificates to the crew, including Watch Manager Karl Read (pictured), as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and commitment shown to their station and community.
We also took the opportunity to thank the crews' families and primary employers for their support.
Our series of On-Call Appreciation Evenings continues at Workington on Tuesday, March 12.
To view and download all photos taken at the events so far, click here.
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Key incidents
Call-outs of note from the past week have included:
- on March 1, crews from Whitehaven and Workington attended a cooker fire in a domestic property on Central Avenue, Distington.
- on March 1, crews from Cockermouth and Keswick attended an RTC involving two light goods vehicles on the A66 at Thornthwaite, Keswick. Three casualties were extricated from the vehicles, one of whom was confirmed as deceased.
- on March 3, crews from Egremont and Whitehaven attended a vehicle fire on the A595 at Egremont.
- on March 4, crews from Penrith attended a two-vehicle RTC at Johnby, in which two casualties were extricated from the vehicles.
- on March 4, crews from Silloth and Aspatria attended a one-vehicle RTC at Mawbray, in which one casualty was extricated from the vehicle.
- on March 4, crews from Carlisle East and Lazonby attended a chimney fire at a domestic property on Broomrigg Crescent, Ainstable.
- on March 5, crews from Carlisle East, Carlisle West and Wigton attended a two-vehicle RTC in Micklethwaite, in which two casualties were extricated from a vehicle.
- on March 5, crews from Kendal and Windermere attended a vehicle fire which spread to a domestic property on Cross Lane, Kendal.
Features that have promoted us in the media and on social media this week have included...
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Our On-Call Passing Out Parade has been covered by the local media and has received significant traction on social media this week.
Additionally, both the ceremony and our investment in two new welfare units have been covered by national publication Emergency Services Times.
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- Ulverston Blue Light Hub is holding a car wash on Saturday, March 9 (10am to 2pm), with proceeds going to The Firefighters Charity.
- Workington's On-Call Appreciation Evening takes place on Tuesday, March 12.
To have your events included in this section, please email cfrs.update@cumbriafire.gov.uk
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