Scottish Police Authority appoints two new Deputy Chief Constables; Police staff’s contribution to be celebrated this week

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that the Scottish Police Authority has appointed two new Deputy Chief Constables.

There’s also a story on the first ever Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition, taking place this week to honour the contribution made by police staff.

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Scottish Police Authority appoints two new Deputy Chief Constables

The Scottish Police Authority has named Alan Speirs, currently serving as Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, and Bex Smith, currently Assistant Chief Constable within Police Scotland, as the new Deputy Chief Constables.

Effective from 11 March, the appointments result from a rigorous selection and recruitment process, filling the vacancies left by Fiona Taylor’s recent retirement and Malcolm Graham’s upcoming retirement in April 2024. More via Emergency Services Times

Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadets opens recruitment window

Northamptonshire Emergency Service Cadets (NESC)recruitment window is now open for the September 2024 intake and young people across the county are being encouraged to do something amazing with their time and join up.

If you are aged 13-18 and would like to apply for this year’s intake, or know someone who would be interested, please head to the website and complete the form before the closing date, Sunday, April 7, 2024. More via Northamptonshire Police

Scottish firefighters tackle one wildfire every day during peak season

New statistics from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) show that last spring and early summer, firefighters dealt with an average of one daily wildfire, totaling 133 incidents between March and June 2023, the peak season for wildfires in Scotland.

Of these, 48 were large, covering over a hectare each. Over a third occurred in the Highlands, and ten in Na h-Eileanan Siar. More via Emergency Services Times

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity responds to record 75,000th mission

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has now attended more than 75,000 missions across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, the West Midlands, and Worcestershire, which is more than any other air ambulance in the UK. More via Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Police staff’s contribution to be celebrated this week

This week sees forces across the UK come together to honour the contribution made by police staff.

Launched by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), with support from the College of Policing, the first ever Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition (Monday 4 March – Sunday 10 March) hopes to shine a spotlight on the individuals who play an important role within the policing family. More via NPCC

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is on the lookout for on-call firefighters

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is on the lookout for more on-call firefighters to join its team.

The life-saving organisation is recruiting in Bath, Blagdon, Chew Magna, Clevedon, Nailsea, Paulton, Pill, Portishead, Radstock, Thornbury, Weston-super-Mare, Winscombe, Yate and Yatton. Anyone that lives near the above locations and are interested can apply on the service’s website. More via North Somerset Times

First look inside West Bridgford’s newly refurbished Children’s Air Ambulance shop

The Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA) opened the doors today to its groundbreaking ‘Store of the Future’ in West Bridgford, which will help to raise vital funds to support the lifesaving missions for critically ill babies and children across the UK.

The construction of the unique store was made possible by partnering with an award-winning sustainable contractor, OAK Project Management. More via West Bridgford Wire

Elevate your employee benefits programme with Blue Light Card

Blue Light Card is offering those working in the emergency services, NHS and social care sector the opportunity to take advantage of thousands of exclusive deals, discounts and savings from big name brands.

With a portfolio of over 13,000 partner retailers – including big name brands such as Jet2Holidays, Nike, Apple, Schuh and Hotels.com – Blue Light Card membership presents a surefire way of enhancing your employee benefits programme and standing out as an employer of choice. More via Emergency Services Times