Wartime bomb proves a multi-agency challenge for the emergency services; Ambulance service urges public to be ready ahead of Easter weekend

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with a look at the recent multi-agency response to an unexploded bomb in Plymouth, which triggered the UK’s biggest non-wartime evacuation.

There’s also news of London Ambulance Service (LAS) urging Londoners to use 999 and 111 services wisely and get the medication they need before the four-day Easter weekend.

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Wartime bomb proves a multi-agency challenge for the emergency services

Wayne Rawlins, Area Manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, looks at the recent multi-agency response to an unexploded bomb in Plymouth, which triggered the biggest non-wartime evacuation in the UK. More via Emergency Services Times

Detectives’ webinar addresses key concerns of professional development

A recent Police Federation webinar, held in collaboration with Staffordshire University, focused on the MSc Investigation Practice degree programme offered by the university in association with the Institute of Policing (IoP).

The programme offers an affordable way for individuals to obtain a formal qualification to reflect the academic level at which detectives already work at. More via Police Federation of England and Wales

Data led approach helps Met target phone scammers who prey on the elderly

An undercover Met operation has led to the conviction of phone scammers who tricked pensioners into handing over their bank cards before draining their accounts. Using data and intelligence, officers from local and specialist units have been able to link offences and target those who prey on the elderly. More via Emergency Services Times

Multi-agency exercise tests emergency services response to terrorist and chemical attack

Police, Fire and Ambulance services in Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties joined forces last week to test their joint response to a terrorist and chemical attack during a multi-agency training exercise at Silverstone circuit.

Exercise Callicarpa, one of the largest training exercises of its kind in recent years, allowed the emergency services to test their strategic and tactical responses, as well as evaluating how well they communicate with each other at largescale major incidents. More via Northamptonshire Police

Oxfordshire Council to install enforcement cameras within six low traffic neighbourhoods

Work to install enforcement cameras at six low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) closure points in Oxford will start soon, with the cameras going live from the end of April.

The automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will enforce LTN traffic restrictions while improving access for emergency services and other essential vehicles. More via Oxfordshire Council

London Ambulance Service urges public to be ready ahead of Easter weekend

Medics at London Ambulance Service (LAS) are appealing to Londoners to use 999 and 111 services wisely and get the medication they need before the four-day weekend.

Call handlers at LAS typically see an increased demand on services in the days following the bank holiday weekend and receive around 20,000 999 calls over the four days of the weekend itself. More via London Ambulance Service

IFE welcomes Dr Paul Stollard as new Chair and Trustee Director

Global professional body, the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), has announced the appointment of their new Chair and Trustee Director, Dr. Paul Stollard CEng, MIFireE, RegArch, PhD, BArch, BA, who has led and gained extensive experience over the course of four decades in the fields of both architecture and fire engineering. More via Emergency Services Times

Britain’s phone boxes get a 21st century makeover

Thousands of old phone boxes are set to get a 21st century makeover, BT has announced.

The telecoms giant is turning them into Street Hubs with Wi-fi, phone chargers, and screens showing real-time council updates. With no more old-fashioned numbers to dial, the new versions will have just one button to call the emergency services. More via Mail Online