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Latest news from PFCC Roger Hirst - June 4, 2021
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Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex says thank you during National Volunteers’ Week 2021
Volunteers play a significant role in keeping our communities safe, working with Essex Police or Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and supporting projects run directly out of the Commissioner’s office, such as the Restorative and Mediation Service, Independent Custody Visiting and the Dog Welfare Scheme.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Our volunteers make a huge difference and on behalf of myself and the people of Essex, I want to say thank you to you all!
“This year more than ever those who give up their time to help others have shown how invaluable they are. Without them we couldn’t be able to provide the significant services we do. Even more importantly it is through volunteering and the work volunteers do that we create the communities we want to live in. They bring our services closer to the people and create the community spirit that has shone so brightly through these difficult times. Even in these challenging times our volunteers have worked with us to adapt their working methods so they can continue providing a service to our communities. The importance of volunteering cannot be overestimated.”
As well as the PFCC’s own volunteers, the Commissioner also wants to give a huge thanks to Essex Police’s Special Constabulary, Active Citizens, museum volunteers and police cadet leaders. He is also proud and grateful for the support Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s volunteers from Community Speedwatch, community safety, the fire cadets, and their leaders, many of who have given up their time going above and beyond during the pandemic to train as volunteer vaccinators, ambulance drivers and offering other much needed support.
The PFCC would also like to pay tribute the many hundreds of volunteers across the county who support our work to make Essex a safer place, such as Neighbourhood Watch, the Street Pastors and other groups who work so hard for the benefit of others.
This week we have been sharing some of our volunteer’s stories on our social media channels and have been taking the time to say thanks for everything they do.
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Essex's amazing volunteer police officers have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
And the award includes a ‘special designation’ for providing impactful support during the early months of the pandemic.
During the last year’s lockdown, between March and June, Essex Police's Special Constabulary volunteered over 54,000 operational hours, providing visible policing and helping communities during unprecedented times. And in the year to 31 May 2021, they volunteered a total of 207,552 hours to help to police Essex. That's an average of 17,300 hours a month.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “Our Special Constabulary do an amazing job. It really is humbling to hear the number of hours people give for free for the benefit of keeping our communities safer and the great work that they do, putting themselves on the frontline to help people.
“To be honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, is a great validation of their dedication."
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This week we met some of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service's incredible Fire Cadets at who told us more about their roles and what they get up to.
Essex is lucky to have such inspirational young people such as Jack, Megan and Marcus and we are thankful for all their wonderful contributions to our community.
Watch the video to find out more about the work they do and their experiences of volunteering. Also find out more about Jack who has been thanked by a man who he helped after a suspected heart attack using his first aid training gained with the Service.
Essex Police has 13 Volunteer Police Cadet Units across Essex. They are fantastic and inspirational young people and have a dedicated band of volunteer adult leaders. Find out more about them here.
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Meet Laurie, Stephen and Sam - some of the amazing volunteers that are in the Restorative Justice Team here in Essex.
Have you ever considered volunteering as a Restorative Justice Mediator? Find out more about the team’s thoughts on volunteering.
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