| HMICFRS publish inspection report for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service | Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today (20 June 2019) published its first inspection report for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS). | https://www.notts-fire.gov.uk/nfrs-news/Pages/HMICFRS-publish-inspection-report-for-Nottinghamshire-Fire-and-Rescue-Service.aspx | HMICFRS publish inspection report for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service | <p>Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today (20 June 2019) published its <a href="https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/nottinghamshire-fire-and-rescue-service-report-2018-19.pdf"><strong>first inspection report for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS).</strong></a> The report uses different criteria to assess performance against three themes – effectiveness, efficiency and people – using both qualitative and quantitative research. NFRS has been rated ‘good’ in two areas and the rest ‘Requires Improvement’.</p><p>This is the first time that HMICFRS has inspected fire and rescue services across England and NFRS is part of the second group of services receiving their reports today. The inspection has assessed how effectively and efficiently NFRS prevents, protects the public against and responds to fires and other emergencies. It has also assessed how well it looks after its staff.</p><p>The report has highlighted that NFRS has a good understanding of the risks in the Nottinghamshire area and that it works well with partner organisations. It has been rated ‘Good’ at protecting the public through fire regulation, taking legal action where necessary, and at responding to national risks. The inspection has also found that NFRS effectively promotes its values and culture and that staff are positive about the way the Service looks after their safety and wellbeing.</p><p>Areas for improvement include using its integrated risk management plan (IRMP) to ensure it keeps the public safe and secure from the risks identified; evaluating prevention work to understand the benefits better; to accelerate plans to improve ICT so that the Service makes best use of available technology to support operational effectiveness and efficiency; and to put appropriate mechanisms in place to enable closer monitoring of hours worked by staff. </p><p>NFRS Chief Fire Officer, John Buckley, said: "We have worked closely with HMICFRS throughout the inspection process and welcome the publication of our first report today.</p><p>"Whilst there is acknowledgement of what we do well, we will not be complacent about what we need to do to improve our performance, to ensure we continue to maintain public confidence in this Service. </p><p>"Even before the inspection process began we were already aware of these areas and have - and are - making significant steps towards improving our processes and procedures. Our new <a href="/AccessToInformation/ServicePerformance/Documents/NFRS%20Strategic%20Plan%202019-2024.pdf"><strong>Strategic Plan</strong></a> launched in April, that replaces our old IRMP, outlines our commitment to the safety of those living and working in Nottinghamshire. This, together with individual departmental business plans from across the Service, will help to drive our continuous improvement agenda forward. </p><p>"We will continue to monitor progress and will regularly report back to the Fire Authority on what has been achieved."</p><p>Councillor Michael Payne, Chair of the Fire Authority said: “We have a high level of trust with our local communities and we will ensure this is maintained. We do know there will be some challenges ahead, however, we remain confident that the work being carried out now and in the future will increase our effectiveness and efficiency and focus on our staff, ultimately supporting our vision for creating safer communities across Nottinghamshire.” </p> | | |
| Death of Collingham family ruled as accidental | A mother and her two children died following an accidental fire, an inquest heard today (12 June). | https://www.notts-fire.gov.uk/nfrs-news/Pages/Death-of-Collingham-family-ruled-as-accidental.aspx | Death of Collingham family ruled as accidental | <p>A mother and her two children died following an accidental fire, an inquest heard today (12 June). </p><p>Senior Coroner for Nottinghamshire, Ms Mairin Casey, ruled that Justine Collison, 32, and her two children, Isabella, aged eight, and Harvey, aged five, died from smoke inhalation during a fire at their home on Woodhill Road on 15 December 2018. </p><p>Firefighters from Collingham and Newark Fire Stations were called to the property shortly after 7am to find the house well alight. </p><p>The fire was determined as starting in the conservatory, but due to the significant damage caused, it was impossible to say for certain what started the fire.<br>Returning her conclusion of accidental death, said: “I join with many others today in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Justine, Isabella and Harvey whose lives were tragically cut short.</p><p>“Thanks to a thorough investigation by both Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police I can record a verdict of accidental death.”</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-embedcode ms-rte-embedil ms-rtestate-notify"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ptNK6lYcBKM" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div><p><br></p><p>Area Manager, Damien West said: “I speak for the whole of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service when I say that our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Justine, Isabella and Harvey. They tragically lost their lives in a house fire at their home on Woodhill Road, Collingham last year.</p><p>“I hope that the findings of this inquest will bring some closure to all concerned, but we must not let this tragedy be in vain. It is vital that we continue to raise the awareness of fire safety to avoid further incidents. </p><p>“I would ask everyone to ensure that their families, friends and neighbours have working smoke alarms, a plan of what to do in an emergency and a night-time routine to turn off electrics and close internal doors”<br></p><p>“I would finally like to thank all the staff who attended this incident from beginning to end, their contribution cannot be overstated. All corners of the Service volunteered to go out into the community in the days following the incident to provide reassurance and advice.”</p> | | |
| Work begins on first blue light tri-service hub to be created in Nottinghamshire | Work has officially started on a new blue-light tri-service hub in Hucknall which will be shared by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service. | https://www.notts-fire.gov.uk/nfrs-news/Pages/Work-begins-on-first-blue-light-tri-service-hub-to-be-created-in-Nottinghamshire.aspx | Work begins on first blue light tri-service hub to be created in Nottinghamshire | <p>Work has officially started on a new blue-light tri-service hub in Hucknall which will be shared by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service,</p><p>Nottinghamshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) – the first of its kind in Nottinghamshire.</p><p>The hub, which will be based at EMAS’s existing ambulance station site in Annesley Road, will enable the three emergency services to work closer together and provide an even more efficient and effective service to the public.</p><p>Building works began last month and are anticipated to be completed next year.</p><p>The project involves two extensions being constructed at the site to be used by the police and fire services.</p><p>Ian Pritchard, Assistant Chief Officer at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Having all three emergency services in one building is an exciting step in our collaboration journey and one which will benefit the community.</p><p>“This will allow us to jointly make a saving on our estates budget, help us to develop the service we provide and be at the heart of the community</p><p>“It creates an opportunity for us to work closely with our blue light partners. Sharing knowledge and best practice will ensure we all continue to provide a high-quality service to the public.”</p><p><img alt="Hucknall Ground breaking-59 -_.jpg" src="/nfrs-news/PublishingImages/Pages/Work-begins-on-first-blue-light-tri-service-hub-to-be-created-in-Nottinghamshire/Hucknall%20Ground%20breaking-59%20-_.jpg" style="margin:5px;width:989px;" /></p><p>Craig Guildford, Chief Constable at Nottinghamshire Police said: "We've been reviewing all of our estates over the past few years in order to make efficiency savings and reduce running costs.</p><p>"Since 2013, this has resulted in a move towards a smarter way of working alongside our partners sharing buildings and facilities where appropriate.</p><p>"This has been successfully implemented in several areas across Nottinghamshire. Through these measures, we have been able to improve efficiency and effectiveness and maintain a significant police presence in our neighbourhoods, something that we are committed to.</p><p>“Building this shared facility will mean we can move our neighbourhoods and response teams into the new building, enabling them to work even more collaboratively alongside fire and ambulance service colleagues.</p><p>“Agility, flexibility and sharing has the ability to reduce our non-pay budget and to focus upon core front-line deliverables in a changing world. By sharing more with local partners, we are able to contribute to collective efficiencies which is very much in the public interest.” </p><p>Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping added: “It’s common sense: if we share buildings with our partners, we share the running costs across the public sector which is better use of public funds. Co-locations bring operational benefits too, enabling us to have closer working relationships with our blue light colleagues. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”</p><p>Greg Cox, General Manager for Nottinghamshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “This is the first tri-service station to be created in Nottinghamshire so we are especially excited to see the building work starting. </p><p>“By welcoming our fire and police colleagues to join us at our Hucknall site, we will be able to make the best use of public money and find new ways of working together which will further strengthen our ongoing professional relationships. </p><p>“Our ambulance crews are looking forward to sharing mess rooms and kitchens with their blue light colleagues during their breaks, which will help to build a greater understanding of each other’s services.</p><p>“As it is the first of its kind in Nottinghamshire, this tri-service hub will give us the opportunity to see whether this style of collaboration is the future for our ambulance stations in the county.</p><p>“We have worked hard with our emergency service colleagues to get to this point, and we now look forward to moving into this implementation phase and to continue to develop an already excellent working partnership.”<br></p> | | |
