East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

Emergency Service organizations need to harness new ICT services and embrace technology to deliver smarter and safer services to the community. Firefighters and control room staff continue to play immensely important roles in keeping people safe. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) provides protection, prevention, and response services for more than 800,000 people. It needed a strategic partner that could modernize and manage its ICT infrastructure to enable its transformation. Headquartered in Lewes and with 24 fire stations and a dedicated training center, ESFRS covers the city of Brighton and Hove, and the county of East Sussex. Enable organizational efficiency Having worked together since 2016 and recently signing a three-year contract extension for 2023-2026, Telent has enhanced ESFRS’ ICT infrastructure and delivered the expertise to boost the fire service’s efficiency and effectiveness. Telent has helped reduce costs, and ensured robust governance, service quality Drawing on its experience in the emergency services sector, Telent has helped reduce costs, and ensured robust governance, service quality, and technical innovation for the organization. Together, a Target Operating Model was established that mapped out how ESFRS could continue to evolve by exploiting new technologies, enable organizational efficiency, and encourage interoperability with other systems and public sector partners. Initially using its Shared Service Model, Telent enabled ESFRS to retain control, collaborative direction and gain access to insights for all of its ICT activity. Future planned migration This involved moving its existing infrastructure - including the TUPE of five of its staff into Telent’s team - and creating a catalog of over 130 different ICT services. Telent implemented a dedicated virtual infrastructure for ESFRS to deliver a scalable, private cloud computing and storage service. This provided the foundation for the organization to undergo its technology transformation and expansion. Telent has a unique approach to virtual infrastructure, using best-in-breed technologies from a range of strategic partners across the areas of compute, networking, storage and virtualization in a cost effective and resilient solution. As part of the evolving IT strategy at ESFRS, Telent will support the future planned migration of key line of business applications from dedicated virtual infrastructure into the Azure cloud. Identifying transformation opportunities Telent provides a truly mobile user experience without the need to be tied to a specific location By using Cisco AnyConnect and WebEx technologies, Telent provides a truly mobile user experience without the need to be tied to a specific location or workplace. This flexible platform allows the organization to grow and brings improved resilience and availability which proved invaluable throughout the COVID pandemic. Telent has standardized ESFRS’ devices which has led to improved and cost-effective application performance and enhanced system integration. Telent are working together with ESFRS to create a roadmap to identify the transformation opportunities within existing technologies for example Microsoft 365, as well as minimizing any risk to ESFRS. Key elements of the overarching roadmap are supporting ESFRS in the journey of process digitization and the preparation for its transition to ESN, as well as being prepared for further collaboration opportunities within the public sector and with other blue light partners. Trusted strategic partners Since the implementation of Telent’s managed service, ESFRS increased mobility, performance, availability, and resilience of its IT systems and infrastructure. Telent was also able to identify further opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs, without putting the organization’s continuity at risk. Telent continues to support ESFRS across a broad range of IT services to ensure that it stays as effective as possible when undertaking its life-saving and crucial work. Telent and its trusted strategic partners continue to support the transformation of key operational systems Telent and its trusted strategic partners continue to support the transformation of key operational systems for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. This includes the delivery of multiple line of business solutions that cover applications for HR, fleet management, asset management, finances, procurement, and much more. Business-Specific requirements A notable area of focus is the automation of paper-based processes relating to site specific risk information, plus business and community safety visits to improve digital workflows in line with its business-specific requirements. All of those systems link together through a modular based application built on one common platform utilizing Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. Whilst other software solutions are available, including commercial off-the-shelf options, it was felt that these options may only achieve some of the required functionality. The decision to build a best-of-breed, configurable solution designed to deliver the business requirements identified at the start of the project, ensured the benefits were fully realized in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.  Potential improvement opportunities The solution is being implemented as three modules, the first is for site-specific risk information with information available to the crews on their Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) when attending incidents. Importantly, the Telent team engage in regular performance reviews with ESFRS The two other modules manage conducting fire inspections at business premises and undertaking home safety visits, with information directly entered by firefighters using tablet devices. Importantly, the Telent team engage in regular performance reviews with ESFRS, sharing and analyzing metrics against contracted service level agreements. In addition, a full consultant led review of the contract was conducted in 2021. This involved a deep dive into the contract, senior stakeholder discussions, a financial review to ensure the best value as well as an overarching service review to identify potential improvement opportunities. Original control room This was crucial in providing ESFRS with audited evidence of Telent’s performance, supporting the decision of the Fire Authority to approve the award of the three-year contract extension for 2023 - 2026. As control rooms continue to look to consolidate in the future, Telent supported ESFRS with its move to a shared facility and conducted the safe de-commissioning of its original control room. When organizations move control rooms, work around wrapping up professional services is undertaken. ESFRS’ function was moved from a dedicated control room in Haywards Heath to the joint control room with Surrey and West Sussex Fire Services located in Surrey. The legacy control room needed to be decommissioned in March 2022 due to the level of sensitive information that it contained. Greater strategic engagement As part of that, a full security check was also undertaken and any issues in the legacy systems were removed. A clean bill of health from an IT security point of view for the building was given before it was returned to its previous use. A greater strategic engagement will enable the further maturity of the partnership between ESFRS and Telent. Strategic Engagement Workshops are scheduled throughout the remaining term of the contract To further support this, Strategic Engagement Workshops are scheduled throughout the remaining term of the contract with the aim to ensure the IT strategy aligns with the operational needs of ESFRS. They will ensure that Telent’s relationships with a number of future-edge technologies and global leaders in the technology market are shared and will use industry experience to bring all of this together as specific innovation ideas for fire and rescue services and the wider blue light community. Enterprise-Class virtual infrastructure Telent has helped transform ESFRS’ technology infrastructure and delivered a seven-year fully-managed ICT service. This includes supporting a roadmap to migrate business applications to Microsoft best practices, converting servers from physical to virtual, and building an Enterprise-class virtual infrastructure. As its dedicated partner, Telent has improved the end-user experience, enabled mobility, and supported its Headquarters relocation. It now delivers a range of IT services from a defined service catalog to 850 users across ESFRS, allowing the in-house team to focus on supporting the wider organization in the delivery of its long-term strategy.  Supporting business needs “After Telent was engaged to undertake the maintenance and support of our technology estate, and after a period of stabilization, we have seen a significant reduction in IT incidents logged and a pleasing increase in reliability, with Telent continuing to successfully deliver against its SLAs.” “ESFRS is investing in a major IT infrastructure refresh and new capabilities to support the business needs of our service and Telent continues to provide critical support to ensure we deliver efficiently, effectively, and maximize digital and technological opportunities.” Dawn Whittaker, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive at ESFRS.

Infographics are delighted to announce that East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has successfully launched the latest phase of its FireWatch deployment. As part of a collaborative project, the Service has worked closely with Infographics over the last year to roll out the FireWatch Mobilisation Interface with SSS Public Safety (previously Capita) Vision, as well as launching On-Call Payment Calculations and Self-Service. Form submission processes The latest phase of the IT program builds on the foundations of integrated FireWatch modules already in place for Human Resource Management, Wholetime Availability, On-Call Availability, Support Staff Flexitime, and Training and Development. Mark Matthews, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The deployment of the FireWatch Mobilisation Interface ensures an accurate view of real-time resource availability and competence across the Service, as FireWatch is now directly integrated with emergency dispatch operations within Joint Fire Control." The rollout of On-Call Payment Calculations automates the generation of on-call payments" He adds, "Plus, the rollout of On-Call Payment Calculations automates the generation of on-call payments for turnouts, attendances, and other working time – significantly reducing previous, inefficient manual form submission processes.” Delivering IT solutions Mark Matthews continues, “The launch of Self-Service will improve the completeness of personal and diversity information. This will assist us in understanding the diversity of our workforce and how we can best support our colleagues, with greater awareness when performing Equality Impact Analysis." He adds, "The path has not been without challenges, but we have been particularly impressed with the commitment, response, and overall excellent service that Infographics have continued to provide to ESFRS, assisting us in delivering IT solutions to improve processes and increase efficiency.” Russell Wood, Commercial Manager at Infographics, said: “It has been great to work with East Sussex Fire and Rescue on the latest phase of their FireWatch program, which delivers live integrated resource information within control, speeds up payment processes, and provides a ‘complete picture’ of availability across the FRS. These latest rollouts advance the efficiency and visibility of operational and management processes.”

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is set to launch a Direct Entry Scheme in September. The scheme will enable those with proven leadership skills, from a variety of sectors, to apply for Station Manager and Area Manager roles without needing to have fire service experience or without needing to have taken the traditional firefighter promotional route. A recruitment campaign will begin in September through appointed recruitment experts at Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd. acquire, develop and demonstrate skills Those recruited to the roles will be expected to acquire, develop and demonstrate skills and expertise in management and command functions, as set out for their role in the nationally agreed applicable role maps. This development will be enhanced through a nationally designed, coordinated, and quality-assured process. Although direct entry is not a new concept, it is the first time there has been a national, robust, and quality-assured direct entry program. supportive cohort I am confident we will be able to offer a compelling proposition to candidates from across the whole of the UK" "Direct entry isn’t new to fire and rescue services but launching the scheme in a way that creates a supportive cohort right across the country is." "The response from services wishing to be “early adopters” has been overwhelming and I am confident we will be able to offer a compelling proposition to candidates from across the whole of the UK," said Rod Hammerton, Project Executive. fire and rescue services The primary aim of the scheme is to provide a different route to entry into the roles of Station Manager and Area Manager, alongside the more traditional firefighter route, that can play a valuable part in diversifying senior management in fire and rescue services. Ten fire and rescue services from across the UK have signed up to join the pioneering pilot to self-fund a direct entrant. Those services intending to adopt the scheme are Oxfordshire FRS, Staffordshire FRS, Shropshire FRS, East Sussex FRS, Avon FRS, Leicestershire FRS, Greater Manchester FRS, Royal Berkshire FRS, Hertfordshire FRS, and North Wales FRS. These are all services that put public service and inclusivity are the forefronts of their thinking; seeing the two as being inextricably linked. new perspectives and experiences The scheme will draw new perspectives from those who might not have seen a career in the fire and rescue service" Direct Entry Project Executive Rod Hammerton said, “We hope that the scheme will draw new perspectives and experiences from the brightest and best who might not ordinarily have seen a career in the fire and rescue service as being open or attractive to them." “Being a Fire Officer is a tough job at times, but it is a hugely rewarding one. I am excited to see who puts themselves forward for this fantastic opportunity." Direct entry “Direct entry isn’t new to fire and rescue services but launching the scheme in a way that creates a supportive cohort right across the country is." "The response from services wishing to be “early adopters” has been overwhelming and I am confident we will be able to offer a compelling proposition to candidates from across the whole of the UK.” leadership skills Services will benefit immediately from the skills and experience of proven leaders from other sectors Dawn Whittaker, Direct Entry Project Executive said, “Many of the leadership skills required to run a modern FRS are not dissimilar to those required in other sectors, with people, financial, partnership, and commercial skills at the fore." “By diversifying those in our more senior roles we can invest in the future of our sector, and those already involved in the scheme are doing just that.” Services will benefit immediately from the skills and experience of proven leaders from other sectors as they build their operational competence. new and innovative The scheme is designed to be both additional and complementary to existing progression routes within the sector, complying with all existing terms and conditions, but doing it in a new and innovative way. Direct Entry is just one of several projects being delivered by NFCC’s Leadership Programme, supporting FRS staff to move through their careers at a pace that suits them. This includes a recently launched Coaching and Mentoring Portal and Talent Management Toolkit, as well as a Supervisory Leadership Development Programme, expected to launch next month. HMICFRS recommendations To provide the best possible response to the public, services need to be able to choose from the widest talent pool" The project was launched to address some of the recommendations made in the HMICFRS State of Fire Report, which stated, “To provide the best possible response to the public, services need to be able to choose from the widest talent pool possible. That pool is currently restricted, with many people feeling excluded.” The recent Government White Paper endorsed the work of the project, stating: “The NFCC Leadership hub is leading a project on direct entry schemes at Station and Area Manager level, as well as developing a coaching and talent-focused culture. This is a welcome development and should be supported by all services.” credible, quality-assured product Since its inception in 2020, the project team has engaged widely with stakeholders and has carried out a stakeholder consultation in 2021 to understand any barriers to success. There should be an assurance that the Direct Entry Project Board has a credible, quality-assured product for the fire sector, developed in conjunction with fire and rescue services.