Blue light partnerships at risk if local authorities run out of cash; New South Wales fire chief accused of harassment and discrimination

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with a recent Emergency Services Times webinar that highlighted how the issue of local authority insolvency threatens to have a direct impact on emergency services and that difficult decisions now will inevitably affect blue light partnerships in the future.

There’s also a story on how the man tasked with changing the culture of crisis-hit South Wales Fire and Rescuce Service is being taken to court over allegations of harassment and discrimination.

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Blue light partnerships at risk if local authorities run out of cash

In a recent Emergency Services Times webinar, Professor Pete Murphy and Stuart Hoddinott spoke about how the lack of money for local authorities creates a problem for the emergency services that may not be obvious today, but will show itself in many different ways in the future. More via Emergency Services Times

NFCC publishes paper on high-rise residential building evacuations

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has published an opinion paper outlining some of the key considerations for fire and rescue services when reviewing the design of new high-rise residential buildings. More via NFCC

NPCC welcomes new advisor to Rape Review

Chief Constable Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Lead for Adult Sexual Offences, has welcomed the appointment of Professor Katrin Hohl as Independent Advisor to the Rape Review.

Professor Hohl was one of the lead academics on Operation Soteria, the transformational approach to the investigation of rape and sexual offences, which all 43 forces have signed up to and are implementing. More via NPCC

NHS review finds serious culture issues within ambulance service

NHS England has published the findings of an independent review it commissioned to support the improvement of ambulance service culture.

The review outlines how ambulance services are “currently facing significant challenges related to workplace culture,” including “leadership styles that do not adequately support staff to speak up and instances where those who voiced concerns faced intimidation or inaction.” More via Emergency Services Times

APCC responds to announcement of funding for anti-social behaviour hotspot policing

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Joint Lead for Local Policing, Steve Turner, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that every police force in England and Wales will receive at least £1 million to ramp up patrols to tackle violence and disorder, targeted in areas with high levels of anti-social behaviour. More via APCC

College of Paramedics welcomes publication of ambulance trusts review

The College of Paramedics has welcomed the publication of the independent review following the – ‘Listening to Workers: A Speak Up Review of Ambulance Trusts in England’.

The College of Paramedics was interviewed as part of the stakeholder process and says it is pleased to see that a number of cultural issues have been addressed. More via College of Paramedics

Northamptonshire Police has made improvements, but further changes needed – HMICFRS

Northamptonshire Police has made improvements in most areas, but the force still needs to improve how it investigates crime, the police inspectorate has said.

Northamptonshire Police was found to be outstanding in one area, good in one area, adequate in six areas and requires improvement in one area. More via HMICFRS

New South Wales fire chief accused of harassment and discrimination

The man tasked with changing the culture of a crisis-hit fire service is being taken to court over allegations of harassment and discrimination. Stuart Millington was appointed last Friday as the interim chief of South Wales Fire and Rescuce Service. More via Wales Online

Ambulance services to benefit from funding for wireless innovations

Trials of new wireless technologies to help improve patient care and strengthen connectivity in A&Es and ambulance bays are set to launch across seven NHS trusts, following new £1m of new funding from NHS England.

North West Ambulance Service and East of England Ambulance Service trusts will roll out improved wireless connections in A&E and ambulance areas, speeding up the transfer of essential patient care data from ambulances to hospitals. More via Emergency Services Times