From firefighter apprenticeship to international rescue missions; Old Bailey remains closed after accidental fire

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with a great story to round off National Apprenticeships Week. Having completed a firefighter apprenticeship, Tom Jewell, Temporary Crew Manager for the Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR), has enjoyed a thriving career at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), including volunteering with the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UKISAR).

There’s also news today that the Old Bailey remains closed following an accidental fire earlier this week, which saw 1,500 people evacuated from the building and surrounding properties.

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A journey from a firefighter apprenticeship to international rescue missions

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, Tom Jewell, Temporary Crew Manager for the Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR), shares his experience of completing the firefighter apprenticeship, which paved the way for his thriving career at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS). More via Emergency Services Times

Undercover officers targeting child abusers online make 1,700 arrests in one year

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Undercover Online (UCOL) Network, which was formed in 2017, made 1,700 arrests between October 2022 and September 2023 – safeguarding over 1,000 potential victims from exploitation.

The specialist undercover units work closely with partners, including the National Crime Agency, to gather intelligence and pursue child abusers online. More via NPCC

A starry night for London’s Air Ambulance as gala raises £1.2 million

London’s Air Ambulance Charity hosted its largest ever single fundraising event, raising a record £1.2 million at its gala at Raffles London.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Hollywood actor Tom Cruise were among those in attendance as the charity seeks to meet its target of £15m to fund two new helicopters by autumn this year. More via Emergency Services Times

Firefighters’ union responds to ‘authoritarian’ minimum service levels for fire and rescue

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the Government’s announcement of minimum service levels regulations for the fire and rescue sector.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said the proposals were “outrageous and authoritarian.” More via FBU

Speedy to equip its van fleet with defibrillators

Speedy Asset Services has launched a potentially life-saving initiative, which will see more than 300 of its vans carrying portable defibrillators to help with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

The tool hire provider has already equipped 18 engineer vans with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and is rolling the initiative out to more than 320 of its vans across the country this year. More via Fleet News

Police Digital Service receives national award for cybercrime work

The Police Digital Service’s National Management Centre (NMC) has been awarded a National Cybercrime Programme Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for its role in protecting UK law enforcement against cyber threats.

The award was presented at the annual National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) National Cybercrime Programme, Commissioners, and Chief Superintendents’ Awards. More via Emergency Services Times

NHS and ambulance workers demand pay rise and free parking

GMB members working in the NHS and ambulance service have submitted their 2024/25 pay claim. The claim includes demands for a pay rise and free staff parking.

A flat rate increase of £1.50 per hour would mean a 13 per cent pay rise for the lowest paid, while GMB research shows NHS trusts trousered £46 million from staff parking in 2022/23. More via GMB Union

Old Bailey remains closed after accidental fire

The Old Bailey will remain closed for the rest of the week after an “accidental” fire broke out.

On Wednesday morning, 1,500 people had to be evacuated from the building and surrounding properties. More via BBC News

Defibrillators installed at fire stations across mid and west Wales

Defibrillators have been installed at more than 20 fire stations across mid and west Wales.

The work to install a total of 23 public access defibrillators has been made possible through a partnership with Save a Life Cymru (SALC) and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST). More via Cumbrian News