Volume 1 | Issue 2 | June 2024
Welcome to your latest Community Newsletter. We strive to create a more inclusive Service and that starts with open communication. As valued members of our community, we would like to keep you updated with what we’ve been doing here at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, and what we have planned. All the work that goes on across our Service is for our communities, so we feel it’s important to share this with you. We’d also welcome any of your valuable input so our fire service can be a reflection of the people we serve, and something we can continue to be proud of.
Recent Highlights
Defibrillator session, 18 March, Swindon
On Monday 18 March, White Watch held a CPR and defibrillator awareness evening at Swindon fire station. This follows a publicly accessible defibrillator being installed outside the station, with thanks to WM Paul Hanlon and FF Jade Richardson, who raised money by competing in the British Firefighter Games. The event was held to promote awareness and learning of how to perform life-saving CPR and utilising a defibrillator should the situation arise. Supported by partners from the ambulance station, the team were delighted to welcome around 50 members of the public on the evening, with a range all ages. It was a great opportunity for the community to attend the fire station, and also for multiple communities to engage with our community safety plan consultation. Positive feedback was received throughout the evening, and this is something we are looking to arrange more frequently.
UK FirePride Conference, 14 May Nottingham
On the 14 May we were honoured to attend the first UK FirePride Conference in Nottingham. Our very own FirePride network lead, Dave Edwards, helped to plan the event as communications lead and represented our Service on the day. The event bought together fire and rescue services from across the country to celebrate diversity, but also to raise awareness of the lessons we need to learn to continue be a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ communities. It was an inspiring day filled with powerful stories and informative sessions. We took some key learnings away from the day and are grateful to everyone who were kind enough to share their journey.
Staff Networks Day Celebration 16 May
On the 16 May we celebrated our invaluable staff networks. The day was filled with enriching, collaborative and insightful discussions around how we can continue to develop our networks for groups of staff who are underrepresented in our service. This was the first time we held an event for Staff Network’s Day and it was great to see a room full of colleagues from all over the Service come together to promote the active inclusion of all people.
Much of the work that our Service produces would not be possible without the consultation and feedback from our networks. Key work streams including the delivery of our Personal Safety Workshops (aligned with White Ribbon) were developed in network meetings and we value them for continuing to enhance our culture. We currently have five staff networks:
- Operational Women’s Group
- Women’s Support Network
- Ethnic Minority (ME) Network
- FirePride Network
- Neurodiversity Network
New photos for positive action
On the 29 May, operational colleagues gathered to take part in a photo shoot as part of our positive action plans. Engaging images were taking to showcase the incredibly rewarding role of a firefighter with the support of passionate and dedicated members of our Service. The pictures include colleagues who are underrepresented in our Service yet are still reflective of our wider team. Keep an eye out for photos like these on our website and social media channels.
Service Annual Performance Review 23-24
The Fire & Rescue Authority were delivered this presentation on the performance of the service on 12 June. The review shows how the Service has performed against its priorities and targets set by the Authority through the Community Safety Plan. You can also see an update of our work since Christmas in this video.
If you have a community event you would like to invite us to, please forward your request to [email protected].
Upcoming events
Wholetime Recruitment
We are pleased to announce that recruitment for wholetime firefighters will commence this autumn. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about making a difference in their community to join our team. It is important to us that we understand and meet the needs of everyone we serve, and we are mindful that ethnic minority groups, women and LGBTQIA+ people are underrepresented in our Service. We therefore undertake numerous positive action activities, like the Buddy Scheme below, to encourage under-represented groups to apply to join us. Find out more about how we use positive action to help everyone feel welcome and thrive in our Service.
We are looking for dedicated, resilient and community focused individuals. To become a part of our DWFRS family, keep an eye on our social media for when applications open or set up an email alert here: https://www.dwfire.org.uk/working-for-us/current-vacancies/
Buddy Scheme
Part of our wider positive action plan, the Buddy Scheme is specifically for our wholetime recruitment process and aims to improve underrepresentation in our Service. The scheme aims to provide awareness of accessibility, capability and a sense of belonging for underrepresented groups by pairing potential applicants with firefighters of their choice, or with whom they share characteristics.
As part of the Buddy Scheme, applicants can request or may be offered a Buddy Me day. Similar to our traditional “have a go” days, we aim to deliver bespoke Buddy Me days at a mutually agreed suitable time and location. A buddy squad will predominantly or exclusively be made up of firefighters from underrepresented groups. Once planned, buddy me days will also be promoted across the wider community.
Anyone that identifies as being from an underrepresented group qualifies for a buddy. In our service, LGBTQIA+ people, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and women are underrepresented.
The Buddy Scheme will support us on our journey of ensuring that everyone, from any background, feels welcome and empowered to join us.
Ready to speak to a buddy in preparation for our recruitment campaign? Find out more and apply for a buddy here.
General safety tips for you
We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter. We’ve selected some key tips which we hope will be of use in the coming months:
- Help us prevent heath fires – www.dwfire.org.uk/heath-fires-and-countryside-safety
- Stay safe with barbecues at home – www.dwfire.org.uk/barbecues
- Know how to be safe in and near water – www.dwfire.org.uk/water-safety
- Camping or caravanning this summer? www.dwfire.org.uk/camping-and-caravanning
- Know the law around high-rise living (Grenfell anniversary in June) www.dwfire.org.uk/safer-housing
- Take care when cooking – www.dwfire.org.uk/kitchen-safety