Kent Fire & Rescue Service - Experts & Thought Leaders

The official awards of publications Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters, the "FSM Awards," took place yesterday evening at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Established to promote innovation and the highest standards of excellence, NSI approved companies were well-represented among the finalists and winners. NSI congratulates all the winners and finalists among whom 10 NSI approved companies were shortlisted as finalists with 28 nominations between them, of whom six took home the top prizes in the following categories: Security Guarding Company of the Year: Securigroup Security Installation Company of the Year: Securitas Technology Fire Safety Installation Company of the Year: Frocester Fire & Security Security Project of the Year: Chubb UK with CriticalArc and Kent NHS Community Healthcare Trust Security Industry Woman of the Year: Samantha Norman from Mitie Fire Industry Woman of the Year: Chloe Vickery from JLA Fire and Security Ltd Author's quote Richard Fogelman NSI Chief Executive commented: “We send our warmest congratulations to all the winners and finalists of this year’s FSM Awards, whose valuable contribution in making the UK a safer place is worthy of recognition. Their achievements epitomize why the private security and fire sectors are critical in keeping people, property, and places safe 24/7, 365 days a year. We commend them all and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

The National Collaborative PPE Framework is celebrating five years of success in delivering high-quality PPE to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) across the UK. Launched in June 2017 to streamline the PPE procurement process, the scheme has since delivered protective clothing to around two-thirds of FRSs across the country, equating to more than 30,000 firefighters. Created with a view to sharing best practices and delivering efficiencies, the National Framework is managed by the National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Procurement Hub’s Lead Authority for PPE and Clothing Category at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, with PPE supplied by MSA Bristol - a pioneer in the design and manufacture of PPE for firefighters. High-Performance fabrics The PPE range includes a Full Structural Ensemble, a Layered Jacket, Rescue Jacket, and USAR Ensemble, with selected styles combining innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibers from suppliers such as WL Gore, PBI Performance Products, and Hainsworth.   By taking part in the scheme, FRSs have access to high-quality PPE with the reassurance that it has been independently evaluated and tested. Whilst purchase-only contracts are available, the majority have opted for managed services contracts, whereby kit is regularly cleaned, inspected, decontaminated, and repaired at one of MSA Bristol’s three in-house UK Service Centres. Fire and Rescue Services that have most recently signed up to the scheme include North Yorkshire FRS, Leicestershire FRS, and Oxfordshire FRS.  Comfortable PPE protection The scheme is an excellent example of successful partnership, collaboration, and service delivery" Sarah Walsh, Framework Manager, comments: “The National Collaborative PPE Framework has proved a huge success, resulting in time and cost efficiencies for Fire Services around the country, whilst providing robust and comfortable PPE protection for firefighters on the ground, as well as longer-term health protection through the regular professional servicing of these garments.” “From the outset, the Framework’s Strategic Board Team has worked closely with MSA Bristol to ensure the provision of a top-quality service from sign-up, to delivery, to ongoing after-care, ensuring continuity of service despite the disruptions and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme is an excellent example of successful partnership, collaboration, and service delivery. Both ourselves and MSA Bristol are always looking to innovations, as well as to the sector’s requirements, to ensure that any technical refreshes are looked into further for the benefits to end users.” Simplifying procurement process “It is even more relevant now than it was in the beginning of the Framework, when more research is published on subjects like contaminants, we look at how we can incorporate the recommendations made into the Framework.” Philip Tasker, UK and Ireland Sales Director at MSA Bristol, comments: “Over the past five years, the Collaborative Framework has succeeded in significantly improving and simplifying the procurement process for UK FRSs, making it easier and more affordable for fire services to access the best quality PPE as well as essential managed services. MSA Bristol has been privileged to work alongside Kent FRS to deliver these services, and we’re looking forward to continuing this relationship in the years to come.”

This World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July), Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is urging Kent and Medway residents to respect the water. In the UK, drowning is a cause of accidental death and statistics have shown that drowning deaths are increasing, with more lives lost in inland water, than on the coast. KFRS has specialist water safety teams with crews always ready to respond to inland water rescues, where people are in trouble in lakes and rivers. Water rescue experts With a number of UK drowning deaths in the last week alone, during the heatwave, water rescue experts at KFRS are reminding people not to take risks. KFRS’ Tactical Advisor for Water Rescue, Grant Brooker, said: “We want everyone to able to enjoy being around water, but it’s so important to be water wise and aware of the dangers.” Water rescue experts at KFRS are reminding people not to take risks Grant Brooker adds, “It doesn’t matter who you are, how strong you are at swimming, or even if you don’t intend on getting in the water - anyone can end up in trouble if simple safety tips aren’t followed. If you find yourself by a lake, river, or the sea, taking just a few moments to look for potential hazards really can make the difference between having a nice time or finding yourself in need of rescue.” Cold water shock Tips for anyone walking/running near water, or thinking about open water swimming: Stick to proper pathways, stay away from the edge and look out for slip/trip hazards Take warning or safety signs seriously – they’re there for a reason Avoid jumping or diving in – users don’t know how deep the water is or what hazards lie beneath the surface Opt to swim in areas designed for safe swimming, preferably where a lifeguard is on duty If users get into trouble or experience cold water shock, lean onto the back, gently move to help them stay afloat, and stay there until they can control the breathing – then shout for help or swim to safety if they can. Grant Brooker continues: “Always remember, the water could be colder than you think, deeper or more shallow than it looks, and more dangerous than it seems. If you see someone in trouble in a lake or river call 999 for the fire service, or if they’re in the sea ask for the Coastguard.”