Operation Willow Beck supports fire service during extreme weather period

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsWildland Fire

Following extended periods of extreme weather in the UK in recent weeks, the National Fire Chiefs Council NFCC supported process Operation Willow Beck has reportedly seen extensive use. 

The process designed in collaboration between the Home Office, the NFCC Mobilising Officers Group, the NFCC Fire Control Room Project and British Telecom is designed to mitigate increased emergency call volumes during spike conditions, such as flooding or wildfires. 

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, one of the services that implemented Operation Willow Beck in their Joint Fire Control Room, reported to National Operational Learning about the experiences on the day allowed a 65% reduction in calls being handled by Surrey, ensuring that risk critical calls could be handled in a timely manner and all callers received a response without over burdening a single buddy control room.

BT also indicated the benefits to call management were clear allowing them to pass more calls and reducing manual processes saving time and getting the caller a response faster. 

The NFCC said this demonstrated the importance of the process as while events such as these are rare they are becoming more common and more severe, meaning services will be under extreme pressure and capacity stretched

NFCC said: “We will be using all National Operational Learning cases submitted regarding these periods, to improve the existing processes, and we encourage all fire and rescue services to share vital feedback with National Operational Learning to allow us to continue to learn and improve. 

“We also urge you to consider doing more to embed Operation Willow Beck, National Talk Group 20, supporting National Operational Guidance for Fire Control and other processes designed to reduce stress on service capacity, so when they are needed, they work as well as they did for Surrey.”

Survitec selected as preferred supplier by UK public sector

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

The Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) – the UK’s largest public sector purchasing consortium, has granted preferred supplier status to Survitec for its survival technology.

UK-headquartered Survitec, supplier of Survival Technology to the global maritime, defence, and government, energy and aerospace and maritime sectors, has been placed on the YPO’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the provision of public sector emergency response and rescue equipment.

Ordering a YPO-approved product through the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) avoids a lengthy tendering process, allowing procurement officials to streamline supply and benefit from cost and administrative efficiencies.

More than 100 different products from the Survitec portfolio have been approved for use by the country’s ambulance, fire, police, search and rescue, and environmental services teams.

The Survival Technology scope of supply includes protective clothing and footwear, lifejackets, liferafts and new innovative dry suits, inflatable lifeboats and fast rescue craft, ropes and safety harnesses and leading-edge protection, fire hoses and pumps, lighting systems alongside flares, pop-up shelters, rescue tools and cutting equipment.

Martin Whittaker, CEO of Survitec’s Aerospace & Defence business, said: “This is a significant development for Survitec. After a rigorous selection process, we are delighted YPO has approved our Survival Technology for use across the UK’s public sector services. We are immensely proud as a UK-based manufacturer we are able to support the country’s first responders using the national supply chain.”

He explained: “It is completely different from a traditional framework agreement in that the DPS is an electronic procurement process. It provides customers with an audit trail and simplifies contract management.”

Mandy Easter, Survitec’s UK Business Development Manager, said: “Communication from our emergency service customers reveal they have been waiting for the DPS to come through so they can commence placing orders for Survival Technology through the system.”

“We underwent a rigorous process to achieve approval as a DPS supplier. This process provides an independent endorsement of the quality of our products and services for purchasers.”

New Fire Standard ‘Emergency Preparedness and Resilience’ launched

by Featured NewsSafety

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) has launched the eleventh professional Fire Standard; Emergency Preparedness and Resilience, which focuses on ensuring fire and rescue service are prepared to respond to major incidents and large-scale emergencies or disruptive challenges.

The FSB has said it hopes the Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard is that services will contribute effectively to national resilience requirements and have suitable and sufficient access to resources and assets to support response to local, regional and national scale emergencies.

The development of the standard was led by CFO Phil Garrigan of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, who oversee National Resilience Capabilities on behalf of the Home Office, and NFCC Lead for Local Resilience Forums, Stuart Errington. It was also supported by Business Continuity and national and local resilience practitioners from across a wide range of services, and the Home Office and Cabinet Office.

One of the expected benefits of achieving the Standard is that members of the public will be reassured that their fire and rescue service is resilient, prepared and able to respond to emergencies while maintaining its critical functions during a disruptive event.

As with all Fire Standards, there’s a corresponding Fire Standards Implementation Tool to support services with the implementation. The tool was designed to support services in assessing how well they meet the standard; helping them to build an action plan to identify and address any gaps.

Chair of the Fire Standards Board, Suzanne McCarthy said: “The Board welcomes the launch of the new Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard and recognises the contribution it will bring to fire and rescue services and the communities they serve. The standard builds on our increasing portfolio of professional Fire Standards.”

Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard. This standard will help ensure consistency in how fire and rescue services prepare for and respond to major incidents and emergencies, and importantly how they will work with partner agencies. It will provide reassurance to the public that their local services are resilient and prepared to deliver a coordinated response.”

Chair of NFCC, Mark Hardingham said: “The Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard aims to ensure that there is a consistent approach from fire and rescue services in preparing for, and responding to, major incidents and emergencies.  

“Thankfully major incidents and emergencies are infrequent, but when they do happen members of the public should be reassured that their local service is prepared to ensure an effective response through a standardised approach to emergency preparedness. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the development of this standard.” 

New exhibition head appointed by Intersec to lead event program

by People

Intersec has strengthened its leadership team by appointing expert industry veteran Alex Nicholl as Intersec Exhibition Head.

The senior hire is further demonstration of Intersec’s investment in the significant growth of the flagship event that will mark its return in January 2022 by uniting global leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the industry at the highly anticipated event.

Nicholl ­– who has 20 years of experience in the events industry spanning India, the UAE and UK ­– brings deep expertise to Intersec, having held leading roles at major homeland security, aerospace and defence exhibitions, combined with almost two decades of service as a senior officer with the British Army.

Christine Davidson, Group Exhibition Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alex Nicholl to the Intersec team. With the immense focus on the industry in the last 18 months, Messe Frankfurt recognises that Intersec’s importance to the safety and security industry has never been greater, we are bringing the best in the industry onboard to develop the most relevant and comprehensive event for the industry.

“Alex’s sector experience is second to none, with two decades of defence and security events industry experience and 18 years as a Senior Officer in the British Military, his vast network of relationships across government and business entities will be invaluable. His appointment is testament to our commitment to deliver a world-class event that brings strategic value to the industry and meets the needs of every stakeholder, from government entities to sponsors, exhibitors and attendees.” 

Alex Nicholl, Intersec Exhibition Head, said: “I am excited to be joining the most significant event in our industry. The exhibition brings the entire emergency services, security and safety ecosystem together at one time and, after limited opportunity to meet in recent times, Intersec’s 23rd edition is set to be the best yet – we have listened to what our stakeholders need and have a ground-breaking event in development that will inspire discussion, collaboration, connections and business that will support them in building a safer and more secure world.”

Intersec, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center from 16-18 January 2022 under the theme of ‘Uniting the world’s leading industry specialists for the safety & security of future generations.’ 

Demonstrating Intersec’s strategic importance to the UAE, long-standing Official Supporters include Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Defence, Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and NAFFCO, while additional government partners for 2022 will be announced shortly.

Seen as a nexus for the industry, Intersec will bring together thousands of its most powerful stakeholders for bilateral government and business discussions on mitigating and addressing vulnerabilities of the future. They will be joined by leading regional and international brands exhibiting the most innovative systems and solutions in a dynamic environment that will enable face-to-face and virtual exchange through interactive roundtables, workshops and ‘closed-door’ confidential conversations.

For more information about Intersec, please visit www.intersec.com.

Public encouraged to honour emergency service workers on ‘999 Day’

by Active

Emergency Services Day, also referred to as 999 Day, begins with a two minutes’ silence at 9am on September 9, to represent the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month.

The public are being encouraged to fly the flag of 999 Day and to share and promote an emergency services charity on social media.

Organisers said the event is an opportunity to pay tribute to the two million people who work and volunteer across the NHS and emergency services, including more than 250,000 first responders.

It also aims to educate the public on using the services responsibly, as well as raising money for charities and to highlight the different career and volunteer roles in the emergency services.

Now in its third year, Emergency Services Day is backed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and has been promoted by members of the royal family.

Mr Johnson said: “It takes a very special kind of person to put your life on the line for a complete stranger, yet that is what we see day in, day out from the remarkable men and women of our emergency services.

“You protect us from harm, deliver us from danger, and tend to us in our hours of need. And you do so without hesitation or complaint – if we dial 999, we know you will be there for us.

“I know the dedicated men and women of the emergency services did not get into this line of work for the accolades or applause.

“You are heroes of British life, doing what you do not for the plaudits but out of a sheer sense of duty and a determination to serve the public.

“All of us in this country owe each of you a debt of gratitude.

“So, it is only right that, on Emergency Services Day, we celebrate your work and, as a nation, say a huge thank you for doing so much for so many.”

Organisers said a main national “open day” style event is held on the nearest Sunday, but this year’s event, which was scheduled in Belfast, was cancelled due to coronavirus.

Last year, the Duke of Cambridge visited the Fire Fighters Charity’s centre at Harcombe House in Chudleigh, South Devon, to mark the event.

Tom Scholes-Fogg, founder and chief executive of Emergency Services Day, said: “As we saw earlier this year with people clapping at their doors, the UK is united in its support for those who put others before themselves.

“I encourage everybody to support our emergency services personnel all year round, not just on 999 Day.”

Pandemic support for ambulance service ends after completion of almost 1500 hours of work

by Projects

Firefighters in Northamptonshire will this week bring their programme of ambulance service support efforts to a close, having completed almost 1500 hours of work during the pandemic.

Since the end of April, on-call firefighters from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) have completed 146 shifts to support East Midlands Ambulance Service, amounting to just under 1500 hours of work.

Early in the pandemic, NFRS became one of the fire and rescue services asked to take part in work which included performing tasks such as driving Urgent Care vehicles and the safe moving and handling of patients.

Other services in the region asked to participate included Humberside, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

In total, 12 firefighters from NFRS took part in supporting the work of EMAS during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NFRS Group Manager Stefan Douglas said: “All the firefighters who have supported this work for EMAS have volunteered to take this on and it has been a huge learning experience for them, and a rewarding one.

“Although this was borne out of managing an extremely challenging situation, there have been positives in the work the organisations have done together. The individuals who took part in the scheme have been able to take back additional skills to their on-call stations and EMAS has learned more about our way of working too.”

In order to carry out the work alongside Urgent Care colleagues in EMAS, firefighters undertook specialist training to gain the skills needed to perform their new roles.

Michael Jones, General Manager for Northamptonshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service said:

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our colleagues from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service during these unprecedented times, helping to support our staff and patients who need us the most.

“We already work very closely with NFRS through our Emergency Services Volunteers and so this extra support has built on the great relationship we have with the fire service.

“A big thank you to all who have stepped forward to help.”

NFRS Firefighters remain ready to resume their role supporting EMAS should the need arise.

www.northantsfire.gov.uk/

Boots on the ground: Heroes Wear HAIX®

by Products

HAIX®, a hi-tech manufacturer of specialist footwear based in Bavaria, Germany, has gained its reputation for reliability and quality in footwear for firefighters, police and military forces, emergency services and taskforces worldwide. HAIX® focuses on protecting operators from the day-to-day hazards of demanding, dangerous and life-saving roles, while maintaining outstanding comfort. Its innovative design and hi-tech approach is inspired by the personal experiences of professional firefighters within the company.

HAIX® was founded by Xaver Haimerl in 1948, as a hiking and work boot manufacturer. It was Xaver’s son, Ewald Haimerl, who steered HAIX® on its current course. As the deputy chief of Mainburg’s fire service, Ewald was unhappy with the boots that he and his firefighter colleagues were supplied with. So, in 1992, he applied the skills learned working in his father’s factory to designing custom boots to specifically fit the needs of firefighters.

Over nearly 30 years, HAIX® has expanded its product range and today HAIX boots support heroes in more than 80 countries across the world.

“Aid workers dealing with the Fukushima disaster, the Haiti earthquake and the typhoon in the Philippines put their trust in HAIX footwear designed for the emergency services. We equip armies, task forces and police all over the world with functional footwear. These shoes have been developed with the reality of what happens in practice in mind – often in collaboration with the relevant decision makers,” says Simon Ash, Sales manager HAIX UK.

Footwear for every challenge

In the UK, HAIX boots support the day to day missions and rescue work of heroes in the military and the emergency services, including firefighters, police and coastguard volunteers.

Her Majesty’s Coastguard provides year-round search and rescue with 352 HM Coastguard rescue teams located in stations around the UK. Its 3000 volunteers chose HAIX boots, and Richard Hackwell, Head of Coastal Resources for HM Coastguard, says: “Our volunteers work hard, and we need a boot that can keep up and work just as hard as they do. Rescue missions can last for long periods of time when searching for missing people; our volunteers are lifting loads, carrying people and working on a variety of terrains, so it is important to ensure they have the best support available for their feet.”

Supporting firefighters, every step of the way

As well as working with emergency services teams directly, HAIX also supports charitable causes that care for active and retired emergency services professionals physically, mentally and financially.  One of these causes is the British Firefighter Challenge, an annual event that sees former and currently serving firefighters compete in a series of gruelling strength and endurance tests.

The 2019 edition, held in Watford, saw 186 firefighters compete in the event, raising a total of nearly £7,000 of donations for the British Firefighter Charity.  HAIX, as Team GB’s official footwear sponsor, provided each member of the team with a pair of Black Eagle trainers to wear during training, as well as a pair of Fire Eagle Boots to wear during the Challenge itself.

Simon Ash adds, “Whether in Watford or Devon, Los Angeles or Kosovo– wherever firefighters are deployed, wherever lives are being saved, wherever absolute reliability is demanded of footwear in the field – that’s where HAIX’s premium quality boots are an essential piece of kit.

“Our customers entrust us with the everyday safety of their employees and our shoes enable them to fulfil their missions. All of us at team HAIX® are proud to say that heroes wear HAIX® and our objective is to offer our loyal fans the best protective shoes in the world”.

www.haix.co.uk/