Reducing inequalities in fire safety

Reducing inequalities in fire safety

A UK fire service staff exchange programme, funded through Leonardo Mobility, is helping to reduce the risk of fire among a migrant community.

Government research indicates that Polish nationals are at a higher risk from fire in the UK than any other European group. To reduce the dangers to Polish migrants in Shropshire, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has sent employees on secondments to Lodz Fire Service, in Poland, where they have learned about Polish culture. This has led to greater community engagement between SFRS and local Polish residents.

This is the latest chapter in the organisation’s involvement in the Leonardo programme, which has become central to its unique and innovative approach to staff development. Involvement has allowed the team to form partnerships with fire services operating in over ten European countries, resulting in one-week secondments for more than 100 employees over the last four years.

SFRS has also hosted numerous visitors from fire services overseas, resulting in both the export and import of knowledge and expertise, and improvements in staff and organisational development.

“A good example from our programme is the exchanges we have undertaken with Falck, the Danish fire service” says Steve Worrall, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at SFRS. “Falck is a private company which has provided fire, rescue, medical and security services to most of Denmark since 1906. We’ve learned a great deal from them in terms of how to manage a traditional public sector function on a commercial basis. Over 30 Falck officers have visited SFRS and in 2008 we were jointly awarded the European Commission’s prestigious LLP Gold Award for excellence in an international project.”

In addition to sharing knowledge and expertise, SFRS has delivered and donated four fire engines to volunteer fire services operating in Hungary and the Czech Republic. This is an excellent development opportunity, for both the participants and hosts. A further three fire engines will hopefully be donated to Bulgaria and Poland during 2010.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) with its 650 employees operating from 23 fire stations is in the ‘24-7’ business of saving life, protecting property and rendering humanitarian services. www.shropshirefire.gov.uk

Photo Caption - SFRS donate a fire engine to firefighters in the Czech Republic