Fire leaders of tomorrow hit first milestone; Scottish Ambulance Service apologises after staff data leak

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that participants in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Direct Entry scheme have marked the end of six weeks of intensive operational training with a pass-out ceremony, their first milestone since begining the programme.

There’s also a story on how the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is investigating a leak of staff data relating to community first responders, which relates to an email sent on 16 January.

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Fire leaders of tomorrow hit first milestone

The first milestone has been reached by those participating in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Direct Entry scheme that will bring new leaders into fire and rescue services (FRS).

Six ‘Direct Entrants’ marked the end of six weeks of intensive operational training with a pass-out ceremony on Friday 16th February at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh. More via Emergency Services Times

PFNI calls for action plan to counter upsurge in assaults on officers

The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Liam Kelly, is calling for an urgent action plan from the Department of Justice to deal with a ‘deeply disturbing’ upsurge in assaults on officers.

Assaults on officers alone are up fifty-five percent in just four years. More via Police Federation for Northern Ireland

Air Ambulances UK celebrates women in week-long tribute for IWD

As International Women’s Day approaches this Friday, Air Ambulances UK is proud to announce a week-long celebration dedicated to honouring the remarkable contributions of women in our sector. Throughout the week leading up to March 8th, we are spotlighting the incredible women who make invaluable contributions to the air ambulance industry. More via Air Ambulances UK

Fire service welcomes new cohorts of on-call firefighters

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed its latest cohorts of new On-Call Firefighters who will serve their communities.

The service held a Passing Out Parade at its headquarters for 14 new recruits who have completed their initial training in December and January, and will now be deployed to stations across the county. a pass-out ceremony on Friday 16th February at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh. More via Emergency Services Times

Cup-winning Suffolk jockey swaps saddle for ambulance role

A former professional jockey who rode for Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Alex Ferguson has swapped the saddle for a life on the NHS emergency frontline.

Thomas Brown, 31, rode 123 winners as a jockey, with his biggest success in the John Smith’s Cup at York in 2016.

He joined the East of England Ambulance Service after injury forced him to pull in the reins on his racing career a year ago. More via BBC News

RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the charity that saves lives at sea, yesterday celebrated its 200th birthday.

The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives. More via Emergency Services Times

Scottish Ambulance Service apologises after staff data leak

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is investigating a leak of staff data relating to community first responders.

The service issued an apology to a number of individuals over the error, which relates to an email sent on 16 January.

It included an attached excel file containing personal details. More via BBC News

Footballer Sam Kerr charged with racially aggravated harassment of London police officer

Sam Kerr, the Chelsea and Australia footballer, is to face trial in the UK accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

The 30-year-old appeared in court on Monday accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to an officer who was responding to a complaint over a taxi fare in Twickenham. More via The Guardian