Latest news from across the emergency services

Every morning, Emergency Services Times combs a significant list of sources to bring you the sector’s freshest news stories. Compiled into a single article, this daily news digest is an easy, single point of reference for emergency services news, saving you the time and effort of searching yourself. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back daily to stay abreast of the latest goings on in the emergency services sector.

Week of reflection to ensure that Grenfell Tower fire is not forgotten

There will be a week of reflection later this month to ensure that those affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire in 2017 are not forgotten.

Grenfell Testimony Week (23-26 January 2024 in central London) will provide a platform for people to speak about the impact the incident has had on them and those they care about. More via Emergency Services Times

Yorkshire residents could have to pay £20 more per year to prevent police service cuts

York and North Yorkshire crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has warned residents they would have to pay an extra £20 a year through their council tax to protect the police service from cuts.

Commissioner Metcalfe, who represents the Conservatives, is currently consulting on what the annual police and fire precepts should be from April. More via Yahoo! News

30% rise in dash cam submissions to police in 2023

There has been a significant rise in the number of dash cam videos submitted to police forces across the UK.

According to the latest figures from the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDCSP), a total of 33,531 videos were submitted to police in England and Wales up to November 2023. More via Emergency Services Times

West Midlands PCC challenges Andy Street to public debates

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has asked the region’s mayor to publicly debate with him “undemocratic” plans to take over the role.

Simon Foster, Labour, said he wanted to “challenge” proposals by Tory mayor Andy Street to transfer PCC powers to the mayor’s office. More via BBC News

Greater Manchester A&E departments are ‘gridlocked’ – source

Senior NHS figures from A&Es across Greater Manchester have warned emergency departments are ‘gridlocked’ as hospital beds on wards are dangerously scarce. The shortage has led to patients being forced to wait hours on trolleys in the corridors of A&Es. More via Manchester Evening News

Multi-million pound investment proposed to modernise Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service buildings

A multi million pound proposal to modernise fire and rescue buildings across the county is set to be considered by Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet next week.

The work is part of the council’s ongoing infrastructure investment to improve the inclusivity of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) buildings to ensure they are fit for the future as the service recruits more women and looks to improve and standardise the layouts of its buildings for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff. More via Norfolk County Council

Andy Burnham plans to increase council tax to boost police and fire services

Andy Burnham has unveiled plans to increase the portion of Greater Manchester’s council tax which helps fund police and fire services.

The proposal would see the ‘police precept’ part of the council tax rise by £10.11 to £199.34 for a Band B property per year, while the ‘fire precept’ would rise rise further by £3.89 to £63.16 for the same property. More via Manchester Evening News