College of Paramedics expands student membership access; National Black Police Association calls for Met boycott

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that the College of Paramedics has expanded its student membership access to mark this year’s National Apprenticeship Week. Now, anyone on a paramedic apprenticeship will shortly be able to join the college via the student membership category, rather than the associate member category.

There’s also news that the National Black Police Association has called for ethnic minorities to boycott joining the Metropolitan Police, following what it says is a ‘racist and vexatious’ misconduct investigation targeting the Chair of the Met Black Police Association.

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College of Paramedics expands student membership access during National Apprenticeship Week

To mark this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, the College of Paramedics has announced that anyone on a paramedic apprenticeship will shortly be able to join the college via the student membership category, rather than the associate member category.

This means members will be paying less but receiving more benefits. Previously, student membership was only open to student paramedics who were studying a course leading to eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC. More via Emergency Services Times

Home Office releases evacuation guidelines for fire and rescue services

The UK Home Office has released a set of national guidelines to fire and rescue services that are intended to support operational guidance and practices during a full or partial evacuation from high rise residential buildings.

The document, which contains 9 guidelines, details a finding and then provides the underpinning evidence of that finding. They derive predominantly from recent research. More via Home Office

Poll stats steer National Apprenticeship Week towards a more inclusive fire sector

A recent poll conducted by The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) revealed that 57% of responders believe that there isn’t sufficient awareness of the diverse opportunities available across fire-related apprenticeships. More via Emergency Services Times

National Black Police Association calls for Met boycott

The National Black Police Association has called for ethnic minorities to boycott joining the Metropolitan Police following what it says is a ‘racist and vexatious’ misconduct investigation targeting the Chair of the Met Black Police Association (Met BPA). More via National Black Police Association

Research has long shown institutional misogyny and racism within the UK’s fire services

An independent review, set up following the tragic death of a trainee firefighter, has found evidence of institutional misogyny and racism at London Fire Brigade, the UK’s largest fire and rescue service. More via Emergency Services Times

West Midlands Ambulance Service celebrates 3,500 apprentices past and present

West Midlands Ambulance Service is celebrating over 3,500 apprentices past and present, who have been employed by the Trust this National Apprenticeship Week.

The Trust first introduced apprenticeship programmes in 2010, when it introduced the very first apprenticeship which still runs at the Trust today, the Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship. More via West Midlands Ambulance Service

Civil orders help police to protect victims of domestic abuse

Civil orders are helping police to protect victims of domestic abuse from further harm.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) were rolled out across all 43 police forces in 2014. More via Durham Constabulary