MPs discuss fire service culture; Met chief defends policing of anti-war protests

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with news of a new Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into culture in the fire and rescue service in England, following several investigations by ITV News into claims of sexual harassment and abuse.

There’s also a story on how Met Chief Mark Rowley has hit back at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s criticism of the policing of anti-war protests, dismissing claims officers are failing to enforce the law and saying officers were being labelled “woke and fascist” at the same time.

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MPs discuss fire service culture and ask if HMICFRS is fit for purpose

The Home Affairs Select Committee has started a new inquiry looking at culture in the fire and rescue service in England. Hearing evidence first from the inspectorate, independent review authors and trade unions, it questioned whether His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services was equipped to influence the pace and type of change required. More via Emergency Services Times

APCC Joint Victims’ Leads support ‘No More Week’ to end domestic abuse and sexual violence

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Joint Victims’ Lead Caroline Henry (PCC for Nottinghamshire) and Sophie Linden (Deputy Mayor of Policing and Crime in London) are supporting No More Week 2024, a global campaign, running from 3-9 March, that urges society to take collective responsibility for ending domestic violence and sexual violence. More via APCC

HMICFRS publishes latest value for money profiles

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published the latest value for money profiles, which provide comparative data on a wide range of policing activities for each police force in England and Wales.

Value for money profiles help forces make better decisions by identifying areas where improvements can be made in cost and performance. More via HMICFRS

BCGA completes major revision of key safety code for the emergency services

The British Compressed Gases Association, in collaboration with the Department for Transport, has released updated safety guidelines for the emergency services.

Code of Practice 50, titled ‘The Carriage of Gas Cylinders On Vehicles,’ has been revised to incorporate the latest industry information and guidance. More via Emergency Services Times

Met chief defends policing of anti-war protests after Sunak’s criticism

Mark Rowley has hit back at Rishi Sunak’s criticism of the policing of anti-war protests, dismissing claims officers are failing to enforce the law and saying officers were being labelled “woke and fascist” at the same time.

The Metropolitan police commissioner spoke out on Tuesday after police leaders were last week summoned to Downing Street to discuss their forces’ approach to the marches against the conflict in Gaza. More via The Guardian

Air ambulance participates in study to evaluate live video streaming of 999 calls

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has contributed to a study which found that live video streaming from trauma incidents to emergency medical services is easy for members of the public to use and is feasible to evaluate.

The innovative technology allows ambulance service dispatchers to view real-time footage from the scene via mobile phone streaming. More via Emergency Services Times

Ambulance trust apologises to Cambridgeshire family over boy’s death

An ambulance trust has apologised to a family four years after their son died following a decision not to take him to hospital.

In 2019 an emergency medical technician (EMT) cancelled an ambulance after visiting Kaleb Ablett, who had symptoms of Group A Streptococcus.

Kaleb, 8, went to Peterborough City Hospital the next day where he died. More via BBC News

Ex-England rugby player triumphs in sex discrimination case against fire service

In a landmark ruling, Sasha Acheson, a firefighter with Avon Fire and Rescue Service, won a sex discrimination case after suffering from a prolonged campaign of derogatory comments by her superiors.

Acheson, who transitioned from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in January 2021, faced belittlement and sexism primarily from Crew Manager Dean Davies and Watch Manager Simon Bailey, leading to her resignation in April 2022. More via BNN