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Happy New Year!
Emergency Services Times is back and raring to bring you all the insights, interviews and latest news in the blue light sector this year.
And what better way to kick things off than with our first Daily Digest of 2024.
Every morning, Emergency Services Times combs a significant list of sources to bring you the sector’s freshest news stories. Compiled into a single article, this daily news digest is an easy, single point of reference for emergency services news, saving you the time and effort of searching yourself. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back daily to stay abreast of the latest goings on in the emergency services sector.
Integrated care approach reducing pressure on A&E admissions in Wales
A clinical triage team in the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) has helped safely prevent thousands of ambulance journeys to hospital, with more than one in ten patient 999 calls made over the last year triaged by WAST’s Integrated Care Team. More via Emergency Services Times
Multi-million pound investment proposed to modernise Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service buildings
A multi million pound proposal to modernise fire and rescue buildings across the county is set to be considered by Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet next week.
The work is part of the council’s ongoing infrastructure investment to improve the inclusivity of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) buildings to ensure they are fit for the future as the service recruits more women and looks to improve and standardise the layouts of its buildings for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff. More via Norfolk County Council
Brigade’s legal costs for Grenfell near £10m
London Fire Brigade sought agreement from the Mayor of London to incur up to £2.9m for Grenfell related legal costs in the 2024/25 year, which brings the potential costs up to nearly £10m over the last four years. More via Emergency Services Times
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service introduces trial of new variable response vehicles
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has announced the trial of its brand-new Variable Response Vehicles (VRV) across the Service. This marks another milestone in the service’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its emergency response capabilities. More via Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
‘Worrying’ rise in ambulance running costs
Fuel and insurance bills have added more than £10m to the cost of running ambulances in five years.
Ambulance services are set to spend more than £72m on fuel and insurance this year, up more than £10m in five years. More via Shropshire Star
Police ‘investigate sexual abuse of young girl’s avatar in the metaverse’ – prompting NSPCC warning
British police are reportedly investigating the sexual abuse of a child’s avatar in the metaverse – prompting the NSPCC to warn that tech firms must do more to protect young users. More via Sky News
Over 500 apply for WMAS student paramedic programme
More than 500 people applied for the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) student paramedic programme which was open for applications over the Christmas and New Year period.
The Trust plans to recruit a total of 424 student paramedics across the region in Birmingham, Black Country, Staffordshire, Coventry, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire & Herefordshire during 2024-25. More via WMAS