LearnPro Group provides cloud-native software for West Midlands Fire Service

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West Midlands Fire Service adopts LearnPro’s prevention platform

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has commissioned the Prevent + Protect platform from LearnPro Group to manage its community safety and prevention activities following a market evaluation.

The Service is replacing its existing in-house software with a commercial off-the-shelf system designed specifically for fire and rescue services.

This cloud-native solution provides a mobile-first architecture to support frontline staff during community engagements.

Emily Fernandez, Assistant Director – Prevention, West Midlands Fire Service, said: “Every year, we carry out more than 20,000 Safe and Well Visits and provide safety education to more than 30,000 children.

“We selected LearnPro Group’s Prevent + Protect platform as the best fit for managing and recording all our Prevention activities.

“Moving from our long-standing in-house system to a modern, cloud-based solution will help us streamline processes and give our teams the tools they need to deliver even greater impact in our communities.”

Russell Wood, UKFRS Market Lead, LearnPro Group, added: “As one of the largest and most innovative Services in the country, we’re delighted to be working with West Midlands Fire Service as they modernise their Prevention capabilities.

“Their move to our cloud‑native, mobile‑first platform reflects a growing shift across the sector towards configurable, off‑the‑shelf solutions, access to emerging technologies enabled by our ongoing investment, and a more integrated approach to operational systems and risk data.

“We look forward to supporting WMFS with a future‑ready platform that enhances efficiency, resilience, and community outcomes.”

Technical specifications for fire service prevention workflows

The Prevent + Protect system integrates customer relationship management, scheduling, and risk-related data into a single environment.

WMFS identified a requirement for a resilient platform that offers consistent user experiences and improved data quality compared to bespoke internal tools.

The software utilizes no-code configuration to allow the Service to customize job types, questionnaires, and scoring mechanisms.

Frontline teams gain access to offline capabilities, route planning, and device features such as camera and file uploads through the mobile-first design.

Built on Microsoft Azure, the platform integrates with Microsoft 365 services including SharePoint Online and Entra ID.

The system uses SMS feedback loops with URL links to tailored questionnaires to monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

Initial deployment covers community safety visits, targeted interventions, and school engagement programmes.

WMFS intends to use the platform to track individual risk profiles and demonstrate the tangible outcomes of its prevention work.

The transition facilitates a sustainable roadmap aligned with national standards and sector-wide innovation.

Scottish fire service and Neighbourhood Watch refresh safety partnership

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Scottish fire service expands partnership with Neighbourhood Watch

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is formalising a national prevention strategy through a renewed collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland (NWS).

This refreshed approach builds on existing local activity and reflects a renewed focus on collaboration at a national level.

A key early step in the partnership is the co-location of NWS staff within the SFRS East Asset Resource Centre at Newbridge.

Working side by side supports closer day-to-day collaboration and joint planning.

The partnership brings together the fire safety expertise of the service with established community-led networks.

Both organisations aim to make safety advice clearer and easier for people to act on.

National expansion of the alert system

The SFRS is now adopting a fully national approach to using the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system to share fire safety messages directly with residents.

The SFRS Prevention Directorate leads this platform which allows messages to be targeted by location, age and housing type.

Cathy Barlow, Deputy Head of Prevention for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “This refreshed partnership allows us to build on what has worked well locally and take a more consistent national approach to prevention.

“Co-locating with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and expanding the use of the Alert system helps us reach communities more effectively with practical fire safety advice.”

Strengthening community connections

Richard Whetton, Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance at SFRS, supports the partnership as a trustee on the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Board.

Lesley Clark, Director for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland said: “We’ve worked alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for many years, and this renewed focus strengthens that relationship.

“By working more closely and supporting a national approach, we can help communities across Scotland feel informed, supported, and better connected on safety issues which aligns with our vision of Safer Neighbourhoods Stronger communities.”

Both organisations will continue to build on this partnership to improve outcomes for communities across Scotland.

New Fire Cadets branch supports youth development and safety awareness in Gateshead

by Featured NewsTraining

Fire Cadets branch opens in Gateshead

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has launched a new Fire Cadets branch at Gateshead Community Fire Station, where the first cohort of young people has joined the programme.

TWFRS said the new branch delivers a Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2024-2027 action to increase the number of Fire Cadet branches from four to five, with one in each local authority area.

The programme supports young people aged 11-17 by helping them build life skills, confidence and awareness of fire safety, road safety and water safety.

Opening night included drill yard demonstrations, classroom activities and chances for guests to meet cadets and instructors.

What the programme includes

The Fire Cadets programme offers personal development and teamwork, alongside opportunities to build self discipline and leadership, with a route into volunteering and possible future careers in the fire and rescue sector.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Stewart Nicholson said: “Launching the new Fire Cadets branch is a key step in our commitment to early youth engagement and community safety.

“The programme gives young people the chance to grow in confidence, develop life skills and experience the teamwork that sits at the heart of our Service.

“By supporting young people at this stage, we can help create safer communities and encourage the next generation to understand the vital role of the Fire and Rescue Service.”

Councillor Gary Haley, Vice Chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, added: “It’s a pleasure to welcome the new cohort of cadets as they begin their journey with the Service.

“Fire Cadets provides young people with valuable skills, positive opportunities, and a sense of achievement, while also supporting community safety across Tyne and Wear.

“Seeing this new branch open in Gateshead reinforces the importance of engaging with young people early and helping them build strong foundations for the future.”

Wider youth engagement work

TWFRS said the Fire Cadets programme forms part of its wider youth engagement work, which also includes schools education programmes and the SafetyWorks! interactive learning centre.

The short film exposing the real cost of deliberate fire setting

by Featured NewsSafety

TWFRS launches film to combat deliberate fire setting

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has launched a short film to highlight the real impact of deliberate fire setting across the North East.

The campaign comes as the service prepares for one of its busiest periods of the year following the clocks going back on Sunday 26 October 2025.

According to TWFRS, firefighters responded to 683 deliberate fires between 17 October and 17 November 2024.

These incidents involved crews being mobilised to nearly 700 avoidable callouts, diverting resources from potentially life-threatening emergencies.

The new campaign aims to prevent a repeat of these numbers by raising public awareness of the consequences of anti-social fire behaviour.

Just A Normal Day film launched in Gateshead

At the centre of the initiative is Just A Normal Day, a short film commissioned and funded by TWFRS.

The project was developed in collaboration with Digital Voice, Gateshead Council and Gateshead Youth Justice Service.

Based on real events, the film tells the story of a serious deliberate fire through the perspectives of those affected and the professionals involved in prevention and response.

TWFRS confirmed that Just A Normal Day will form part of its Fire Safety Intervention Programme.

The programme supports young people under 18 who are involved in, or at risk of, fire setting by helping them and their families understand the dangers and long-term consequences.

Community and police partnership during darker nights

Paul Russell, Area Manager for Community Safety at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Deliberate fires have a devastating impact on our community – they destroy property, harm the environment, and in the worst cases, cost lives.

“Even a small fire can quickly get out of control, putting both the person who started it and others at serious risk.

“Every year, our crews attend thousands of deliberate fires, draining resources and potentially delaying responses to life-threatening emergencies.

“We urge everyone to consider the consequences of anti-social behaviour – deliberate fire-setting isn’t just dangerous, it can be deadly.”

Chief Inspector Rob Bosson of Northumbria Police said: “We hope everyone across the North East enjoys the upcoming Bonfire Night period.

“As always, we’ll be working closely with our partners during this time to deal with any issues as they arise and to proactively prevent any disorder from occurring.

“But we’d also like to ask people to exercise some personal responsibility around what they are doing and how it might affect those who may not feel as comfortable with the darker nights.

“As a Force, our priority is to keep the public safe and our multi-agency operation is in place to do just this.

“Anybody who is concerned about anti-social behaviour in their area is asked to report it to us by speaking to an officer on patrol, by sending us a direct message on our social media channels, or by getting in touch on our website.

“If a crime is ongoing, always call 999.”

Reporting deliberate fire setting

TWFRS is encouraging professionals working with young people to use Just A Normal Day as a discussion tool to illustrate the human cost of deliberate fire behaviour.

The film can be viewed on the TWFRS website under the Fire Safety Interventions page.

The public can report deliberate fire setting anonymously through FireStoppers.

Reports can be made by calling 0800 169 5558 or visiting www.firestoppersreport.co.uk.

Addressing deliberate fire risk through prevention and intervention

The TWFRS campaign is directly relevant to fire prevention officers, community safety leads and youth intervention practitioners.

It demonstrates how fire services can combine education, film media and partnership working to reduce deliberate fire incidents.

The inclusion of the film within the Fire Safety Intervention Programme shows a structured approach to early prevention targeting at-risk youth.

For law enforcement and local authority safety teams, the campaign highlights coordinated strategies for handling anti-social behaviour linked to fire setting.

Operational fire commanders and resource planners may also draw on the data shared by TWFRS to anticipate seasonal risk increases during darker nights and adjust deployment accordingly.