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The Pink - Issue 49 - 8 December 2023 |
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Tonight - Festival of Carols
6pm for 6.30pm start
I would like to personally invite you and your families to tonight’s Festival of Carols, at Shrewsbury Fire Station.
All donations and raffle proceeds will go to our chosen charities, The Fire Fighters Charity and Severn Hospice. No need to book, just bring friends and family along to celebrate the festive season with Christmas hymms, competitions and complementary refreshments.
For those of you who aren’t able to join us or like to make a charitable donation in lieu of Christmas cards, you may give online at Festival of Carols 2023 | givestar
For full details (including parking), visit: shropshirefire.gov.uk/event/festival-carols-2023.
 Simon Hardiman | Chief Fire Officer
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HMICFRS have commissioned a research project into misconduct within the fire sector.
Crest Advisory will be carrying out the research across the country on behalf of HMICFRS and are asking for staff to take part in their survey. Participants of the research will be asked about their personal experience relating to misconduct within the Service.
More information and a link to the survey can be found here Crest Advisory | Fire and Rescue Service Misconduct Research
Lauren Jeal | Communications Officer
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West Yorkshire Pension Fund have moved their communications online. One of the main changes this brings is that you’ll no longer get your yearly pension statement through the post. To see your statement from now on, you’ll need to sign into the My Pension service at www.wypf.org.uk/mypension
My Pension isn’t just a place to have a look at your newest pension statement. It’s a hub for managing your pension account right through your working life and beyond. You’ll be able to see the pension you’re building up and plan for your future.
So don’t miss out on any of this sign, up today at www.wypf.org.uk/mypension
Tina Grindley | HR Assistant
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ICT equipment/devices that are provided by the Service are allocated to you/your station depending on your role. Equipment may include a mobile phone, laptop, tablet or alerter for example.
This equipment is your responsibility at all times, both on and off Service premises. Ensuring Service equipment is appropriately secured and accounted for includes doing the following:
- Reporting any lost or stolen devices to ICT and stolen devices to the Police as soon as possible along with completing a data breach form.
- Locking the device when not in use/signing out of your account on a shared tablet before anyone else uses it.
- Stowing the device securely when not in use.
- Turning the device on if not regularly used, this is to ensure any security updates install.
- Never sharing your passwords and keeping your account secure by logging off and not letting other individuals use your account.
- Responding to ICT promptly if they ask you for information about the device.
Reasons why this is so important:
- Security vulnerability: If devices are not updated regularly, they may expose the Service to cyber threats and attacks. For example, if a device has outdated software or firmware, it may contain known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers or malware. This could result in compromise of the device, the network or the data stored on it.
- Data loss or breach: If devices are lost, stolen or misplaced, they may contain sensitive or personal data that could be accessed by unauthorised parties. This could result in legal, reputational or financial damage to the Service and the individuals whose data is compromised.
- Resource wastage: If devices are not tracked properly, they may result in unnecessary or excessive spending on equipment, maintenance or replacement. For example, if a device is broken or outdated, but it is not reported or disposed of properly, it may continue to incur costs or consume resources that could be used for other purposes.
For more information visit the Making Security a Habit pages on the Portal here (via the Useful Links tile) and the Information Security Policy here.
Emily Bray | Planning and Programmes Officer
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Within the IT function there is a specialist team of Information Systems Analysts that support many of the Information Systems (IS) business areas use. They will be familiar faces to you, but you may not be aware of the work or roles they undertake.
- Kay Beckett is the lead support for CFRMIS, supporting Prevention and Protection (P&P) and all firefighters in its use. Kay also supports the P&P business area with its use of SharePoint and although we have no dedicated GIS resource Kay is helping to provide support in that area.
- Sarah Shelvock is the lead support for MyView, WebView, RMS (also known as WRM), eIDR and technical issues with Health and Safety eforms. Sarah is also a SharePoint expert working alongside Emily Bray providing high level technical support in that area.
- Sharon Jones has recently joined the team and is responsible for the development and improved use of Fire Service Rota (FSR) for business areas. Sharon is improving guidance notes and information to support FSR which will be available through the Portal.
The team is supported by the Information Systems Team leader who oversees the performance and functionality of the software and applications that the team supports, providing guidance and advice where needed. They also have a knowledge of all the applications and assists with system support and ICT helpdesk tickets.
The role of the Information Systems Team is to help the Service and business areas utilise the applications to their full potential through engagement with you and the application provider. They also support and resolve technical issues for the applications, communicating that resolution with you.
Although the team members have primary support for specific applications, they can all help with questions you may have on any of the supported applications. The best way to contact the team with any questions or issues you have is through the ICT Servicedesk where they will respond back to you with supporting information and guidance.
 Adam Jones | IT Systems
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Earlier this year the Service commissioned some bespoke ‘Suicide First Aid lite’ sessions to provide skill and knowledge for firefighters first on scene (particularly dealing with those around the river/water), and Control Room staff to be able to have conversations with people at risk of suicide whilst awaiting police response.
I have now been able to secure an evening and a weekend session in early 2024 which are also available to book:
- 15 December – 09.30-13.00 – via Zoom.
- 08 February 2024 – 18.00-21.30 – via Zoom (Thursday).
- 24 February 2024 – 10.00-13.30 – via Zoom (Saturday).
The course aims to teach the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills that can be applied in any professional or personal setting and will cover:
- The hidden toll of suicide and the ripple effect.
- The continuum of suicide.
- Intention vs outcome.
- Factors that contribute to suicide thoughts.
- Suicide safety guide (3 step intervention).
- Partnership working.
- Self-care.
Should you wish to attend any of the sessions please use this link to book a place via LEO - Course: Suicide First Aid - Lite (learningpool.com) – or alternatively please let me know asap by emailing jayne.turner@shropshirefire.gov.uk.
Jayne Turner | Training and Development Co-ordinator
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It was a very proud moment for our Fire Control staff who received their Queen's Jubilee Coins earlier this week. The Coin was issued in recognition of the staff, who with the support of the wider SFRS family, all do a wonderful job dealing with a range of emergencies and helping people in their hour of need. Receiving her Coin, Ann said “it’s lovely to be recognised and receive the Queen's Jubilee Medal.”
 Theresa Simmonds | SM Control
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You are invited to register your interest for our upcoming Lunch and Learn session, with guest speaker Jack Semple (Hertfordshire FRS), covering the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion and the development and launch of the new national LQBTQ+ Network. There will be an opportunity to explore the role of the network and participate in a Q and A forum towards the end of the session.
The session is due to take place between 11:00–12:00 hours, Tuesday, 19 December.
To register your interest, please click here. This is an open session and may be forwarded to your colleagues who may wish to attend.
Please note, the session will take place over MS Teams, with invites issued on a weekly basis, every Friday. Please confirm with your line manager that they are happy for you to attend.
Chloe Richards | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Assistant
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Below is a compliment that we’ve received following the visit of a young girl to Wellington Fire Station to help ease her fear of fire engines and fire alarms. I think you will particularly enjoy this compliment!
“Hi, I just wanted to thank you for allowing myself and Annie to visit the station today. Annie had a fantastic time, she said she feels much braver now when she thinks about fire alarms. She actually took her ear defenders off when we went shopping, which is a massive step forwards for her, as last time we went to Tescos, the alarm went off twice, and she was terrified, ran around in circles and ran off.
I asked her what her favourite bit was today and she said Gaynor. I asked her why and she said she loves her, they are besties now and she let her try on her clothes. She was singing a song in the car when we left, which had the line “I will miss you Gaynor and I love you”. She is currently playing with her toys - one of which is a figure of a mermaid she has named Tony Talbot!
Thank you all again, she has had an amazing day, and I could tell when we were there this has had an impact on her, I actually got a bit emotional as we left seeing her little smiley face. Thank you for everything you all do, you are all heroes!!
Hope you all have an amazing Christmas, thank you!!”
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Grade 6 - £27,803 per annum
37 hours per week
Permanent
We are looking for an Executive Support Officer, based at Brigade Headquarters, St Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, to be part of our executive support function for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
This is an excellent opportunity for a PA/Executive Assistant to immerse themselves in a successful and interesting working environment. The role involves providing administrative/clerical and technical support to the Executive Officers, The Fire Authority, its Committees and Members, as required. This support encompasses functions, including data input, information collation and provision, servicing meetings, filing and document management and acting as an initial contact point with the public, other organisations and internal customers.
We are seeking an experienced PA/Executive Assistant with a proven track record of working under pressure and the ability to meet tight deadlines. You should be an excellent organiser and communicator with a proactive and friendly attitude. You will display a flexible and adaptable approach to work and have the ability to demonstrate tact and discretion for dealing with confidential information.
Applicants must possess good communication skills and have a Word Processing qualification or equivalent and 4 GCSE passes at A - C level or equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics.
For a full job description and to apply for the above position, please email hrassistants@shropshirefire.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is 8 December 2023.
The role includes the following benefits:
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Hybrid working and flexible working hours scheme.
- Paycare Healthcare Benefits Plan.
- Occupational Health Services.
- Blue light and local retailer and gym discounts.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to equality and diversity at work. We positively welcome applications from disabled people and minority groups who are under-represented in our Service.
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The Pink
The Pink is also available electronically on The Portal or can be emailed to you if you contact Admin Support on EXT 1260.
All colleagues are reminded that the information in this staff newsletter is designed to improve internal communications and support effective operation of our Service. Items within it are intended solely for Elected Members and staff of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority and not for onward transmission. © Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service 2014
All faults and queries with IT and communications should be directed to the ICT Service Desk.
When you require assistance or support please click on the ICT Portal Tile located on the SharePoint Portal homepage and click on the 'contact us' tab. You will then have the option to 'submit an incident' or 'request a service' using the corresponding blue or green button. Please use 'submit an incident' to log any faults or 'request a service' to ask for a service or program that you have not previously used or had access to.
When submitting an incident please make sure you select the category that comes closest to the fault you are experiencing, and that you describe the fault in details and upload any relevant screen shots.
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