Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service launches new community risk management plan

by Featured NewsTraining

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service unveils 2025-2028 risk management plan

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service has officially launched its Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2025-2028.

The CRMP outlines priorities for protecting local communities and improving safety standards.

According to Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the plan was developed following a 12-week public consultation conducted last year.

Over 1,500 responses were received.

The plan focuses on three primary priorities: developing a professional workforce, reducing risks through prevention and response activities, and minimising the organisation’s environmental impact.

Key priorities of the CRMP

The first priority, “our people,” aims to foster a diverse, healthy, and professional workforce.

The second priority, “our communities,” emphasises risk reduction from fires and emergencies.

This includes a mix of prevention, protection, and response strategies to safeguard the public.

The third priority, “our environment,” seeks to reduce the service’s carbon footprint while promoting resilient and sustainable communities.

Consultation feedback and community input

The CRMP reflects feedback gathered during last year’s public consultation.

Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber said: “We’re really pleased that so many people took the time to give us their views as part of the consultation.

“We’ve taken these comments on board and used them to shape this final plan.”

Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, added: “Their views and the references to my Local Fire and Rescue Plan have contributed to a CRMP that thoroughly reflects both current and emerging risk, and community expectations of their fire and rescue service.”

Focus areas and availability

Feedback from the consultation highlighted areas for improvement, including preventing incidents, working with vulnerable individuals, and conducting fire safety inspections in buildings such as high rises.

The CRMP is available to view on Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s website.

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service unveils 2025-2028 risk management plan: Summary

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service has launched its 2025-2028 Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).

The plan prioritises workforce development, community safety, and environmental sustainability.

It incorporates feedback from over 1,500 respondents to a public consultation held last year.

Areas of focus include incident prevention, vulnerable populations, and fire safety inspections.

The CRMP is available on the service’s website.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand expands local advisory committees

by Featured News

Strengthening community involvement in fire safety

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is expanding its Local Advisory Committees (LACs) initiative to encompass more areas across the country, including Southland, Taranaki, Waikato, and Nelson-Tasman, while also seeking new members for the existing Hawke’s Bay LAC.

These committees play a pivotal role in integrating community perspectives into national and local planning, offering vital advice on community values, needs, and risks.

The organisation emphasises the importance of community insights in shaping its services.

As stated by a spokesperson: “LACs help to shape the future of Fire and Emergency’s support for communities by enabling us to better understand what matters to you – now and in the future.

“This means we can better support you to prepare for, respond to, and recover well from emergencies when they happen.”

Call for experienced and connected community members

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is currently inviting applications from individuals with experience in governance or strategic management, who are well-connected within diverse community and industry groups.

The ideal candidates will provide deeper insights into the views and concerns of their communities, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of local needs.

In highlighting the value of community participation, a representative remarked: “We know some of the risks faced by our local communities and industries. But you will know more.

“We need local people with the networks, knowledge, and experience to help us build this picture.”

Applications and information for prospective members

Interested individuals can find more details about the role and responsibilities of LAC members, as well as the application process, on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website.

Applications for the new LAC positions opened on 14 March and will close on 14 April 2024.

IFSJ Comment

The expansion of Local Advisory Committees by Fire and Emergency New Zealand represents a dedicated effort to ensure that community voices are heard and integrated into fire safety and emergency planning.

By involving local individuals with relevant experience and connections, Fire and Emergency New Zealand aims to enhance its understanding of community-specific needs and risks, leading to more tailored and effective service delivery.

This initiative underscores the significance of local knowledge and community engagement in emergency preparedness and response.

Such inclusive approaches are essential for developing comprehensive safety strategies that resonate with and effectively serve diverse communities.

NIFRS awards community risk contract to Cadcorp

by Featured News

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has selected Cadcorp SIS Desktop with the resource planning and performance monitoring application Cadcorp Workload Modeller, and Cadcorp Risk Modeller for analysing community risk.

The procurement includes Cadcorp support, training, and specialist consultancy services.

SIS Desktop has been implemented to support the Workload Modeller and Risk Modeller applications and will also provide a wide range of Geographic Information System (GIS) functionality.

The software will work with background maps under the Northern Ireland Mapping Agreement NIMA, and HERE road network.

NIFRS has 68 Fire Stations across Northern Ireland. As part of its Community Risk Management Plan, it aims to ensure the effective deployment of all organisational assets and activities to mitigate community risk in the most effective way and support community safety.

Using Workload Modeller, NIFRS can explore the impact of various resourcing strategies on operational performance.

Paul Harper, Deputy Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, NIFRS said: “To ensure Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) effectively serves the community across Northern Ireland, it must accurately assess and analyse the risks faced by individuals and the community.

“This risk information allows us to target our fire safety, business safety and response activities in the most efficient and effective way to reduce those risks and enhance firefighter safety. To assist us in undertaking this task, we are pleased to have introduced specific software and support services from Cadcorp that will support us in delivering effective and consistent data consolidation, analysis, and reporting.”

Cadcorp SIS is used by the majority of UK Fire Services for a wide range of GIS and web mapping applications. The software is instrumental in strategic and operational activities such as resource planning and performance reporting, risk analysis, and command and control.

UK commemorates Grenfell Tower’s third anniversary

by Breaking NewsEvents

The United Kingdom has marked the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower apartment block fire with a virtual church service to remember the 72 people who died in the blaze.

Sunday 14th June marked three years since a small kitchen fire in the west London public-housing block turned into the worst domestic blaze in the country since World War II.

The fire spread rapidly and engulfed the 24-story building, shocking the nation and prompting a widespread investigation into low-cost and flammable cladding at high-rise buildings.

“As a nation, we are still dealing with the consequences of what happened and working to make sure it never happens again,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video message to be shown at an online commemoration service. “While those affected by Grenfell are not able to gather in person, I want you to know that all of us in this country are with you in spirit.”

“I remain absolutely committed to uncovering the causes of this tragedy and ensuring it is never repeated.” In tribute to each victim who died in the fire, the bells of London churches will toll 72 times and green lights will glow from tower block windows to show solidarity with survivors and the bereaved.

The Humanity for Grenfell group recently held an online, multi-faith service and a 72-second moment of silence to remember the victims. Campaigners have also accused local and national authorities of allowing the installation of dangerous external cladding that became a major contributor to the rapid spread of the fire.

A public inquiry into the disaster was paused in March because of the coronavirus pandemic and is due to restart in July. Police have said no one is likely to face criminal charges until 2021.

The continuing Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its first report in October, highlighting “significant systemic failings” by the London Fire Brigade, including poor evacuation, command and communication procedures. Fire chiefs rejected the criticism.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick promised changes to building regulations to “ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”