BEYOND COVERISSUE 36 - CORNWALL COUNCIL
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3
Beyond Cover
Issue 36
News from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
A service of Cornwall Council
August 2021
G7 Special Edition
Technical innovation to support G7 • St Ives On-call
Eden Project • Tregenna Castle Hotel • G7 Thank you
Plus more
Over the boarder road traffic collision drill • Hot Strike
United we Mo • Letters of Appreciation • Sport
Contents
Introduction with Kathryn Billing,
3 Flight Planning 14
Chief Fire Officer
Eden Project 15
• Partnership Working 4 G7 Summit Tregenna Castle Hotel 17
Sport England Connecting
Community Connectors 4 G7 Thank you 18
Over the boarder road • Our People 20
traffic collision drill 5 United we Mo 20
• Community engagement 7 Occupational Health and
Wellbeing Services 21
Hot Strike 7
Shout 85258
Orange Watch Penzance cold
8 ‘bluelight’ service 22
water swimming initiative
Virtual Open Day 8 Crew Manager Steve Dyke 22
• Team developments 9 The role of a Tri-Service Safety Officer 23
Dyslexia Working Group 9
Upcoming Campaigns 23
Cornwall Pride and LGBTQI+ 9 • Letters of Appreciation 24
New ways of developing decisions in • Sport 25
Cornwall Council 10
Cornwall Fire and Rescue
Service Golf Report 25
• G7 Summit Special 11
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service soar Golf Fixtures 2021 27
to new heights of technical innovation 12
to support G7
Cornwall selected to host the
G7 Summit as part of its 2021 G7 13
Presidency
St Ives On-call 14
2 Beyond Cover August 2021
Introduction
T
his is my first edition as your
Priorities key to explain
Chief Fire Officer, and I am
what we are achieving
privileged to welcome One
within each article
and All to the August edition of
Beyond Cover. Our key objectives ensure that we
deliver the best and most effective
Whilst I might be new in role, what service possible for the people of
continues to be longstanding is the
Cornwall. After each article look for
service’s passion, commitment and
the icons that show what priorities
pride for delivering our priorities for the CFO Kathryn Billing, we are reaching.
communities of Cornwall and further. Chief Fire Officer
We continue to deliver against the challenges and impacts of 1. Prevent
Covid-19. This is coupled with a much busier than usual summer To improve the health, safety
and wellbeing of people and
season, which our people, communities and your partners are all
places most at risk.
experiencing. I would like to thank you all for continued hard work
in delivering our vision of working together to make Cornwall safer, 2. Protect
which has never been so extensive. To protect businesses, people,
the local economy and
Since the last edition we have planned, prepared for, and responded environment.
to, the G7 summit. As I have said before and will continue to say, the
G7 summit wasn’t something any of us expected to be doing, but the 3. Respond
manner in which Cornwall planned, prepared and responded, can To deliver an effective and
only be described as brilliant to be a part of. I will always be proud efficient emergency response
of what we all achieved in the delivery of an outstanding service for and support recovery.
Cornwall whilst the eyes of the world were upon us. This edition has
4. People
some pretty amazing pictures of moments which will be a part of my
To ensure our workforce is
memories and importantly our service’s history. professional, resilient, skilled,
flexible and diverse. Working
Looking forward we are currently developing a new four-year
in a place that is safe, healthy
Community Risk Management Plan; I look forward to seeing how
and inclusive, where people feel
your ideas, innovation and passion shape our plan through our valued for their contribution and
engagement and consultation. role model our core values.
As I reviewed the articles for this edition, I was delighted at the 5. Perform
diversity and inclusion of them, from the range of work we undertake Be a high performing
through to the array of people we engage with and work alongside; organisation.
it makes me very proud indeed and I hope you all enjoy reading this
edition too.
CFO Kathryn Billing,
Chief Fire Officer
Beyond Cover August 2021 3
Partnership Working
Sport England
Connecting Communities
T
he British Red Cross (BRC) has been With just over seventy percent of our service users
being referred to us by organisations such as yours,
working in partnership with Sport we want to thank you for your support during
England to deliver the Connecting what has been a very difficult period. We are also
Communities through Physical Activity extremely grateful to Sport England for investing in
project in Oldham, Newcastle, Blackpool, this project and supporting it throughout. Together
we have been able to support some of the most
Blyth, Southampton, and Camborne and vulnerable people in our society and generate key
Redruth in Cornwall. Since the project insights and learnings into how we operate which will
began in March 2020, these services have inform important decisions and shape future projects
supported nearly 800 people with the aim like this one.
to reduce loneliness and isolation through In the meantime, the British Red Cross continues to
operate and offer services in mobility aids and if you
the provision of practical and emotional would like more information on the support that we
support, while connecting people into local currently provide, please contact our team on the
community-based groups and activities that details below:
increase their physical activity.
This project was funded by Sport England for To contact the team in Mobility Aids:
18-months to test how we introduce physical Email – jgarner@redcross.org.uk
activity into our services to best help vulnerable Red Cross Support Line – 0808 196 3651
people experiencing loneliness in our communities.
The project has been very successful and made a
transformational impact on people’s lives during
the pandemic. Many service users, as a result of this
partnership, have become more physically active and
better connected to local community provision.
Whilst this fixed-term project will be coming to its
planned end on 31 August 2021, as part of the legacy
of this project, many resources - including staff and
volunteer training, toolkits, and activity packs - have
been produced, so BRC can continue to share their
learning and help other service users to become
active.
4 Beyond Cover August 2021
Over the boarder road
traffic collision drill
A
t 19.30 on 25 May 2021, Bude consider Covid.
Community Fire Station took • Correct manual handling to be adopted at all times
and safety officer to be in place.
part in an over the boarder road
• Access to campsite and general public to be managed
traffic collision (RTC) drill with Devon and by safety officer and crews.
Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. • Any radio messages sent via Devon Critical Control
The scenario was a ‘road traffic collision – persons prefixed “fire exercise”.
trapped’, multiple vehicles involving four cars, one
van and one tractor – multiple casualties of varying Overview:
ages. Holsworthy crew from Devon and Somerset Fire and
Rescue Service performed a snatch rescue on the
Objectives / considerations: farmer who was medically trapped in the tractor,
• Ensure operational crews maintain a satisfactory suffering from a heart attack. Incident sectorised,
knowledge of dealing with incidents involving Bude crew (C73P4) were tasked to deal with vertical
RTCs, safe systems of work (SSOW) and operational car sector, development firefighter identified back
procedures associated with RTCs (cutting techniques/ door to be unlocked and gained access, allowing for a
prioritisation etc), to include command support, snatch rescue of two infants to be performed.
casualty care and working with other services/
Remainder of Bude crew stabilised the vehicle using
stations.
stab fast. Once stabilised and safe, a further Papa
• Good working relationship, communication and Charlie was extricated due to becoming time critical.
simultaneous activity between Cornwall and Devon Both vehicles in vertical car sector were then checked
crews. and confirmed safe and all persons accounted for.
• Development opportunity for two firefighters at The second Bude crew (C73P1) were tasked to assist
Bude Community Fire Station to act as Incident Devon and Somerset crews with a roof flap due to
Commander. one Papa Charlie being physically trapped.
• Opportunity for two new recruits at Bude Community Various RTC equipment was used. A safety officer
Fire Station, to develop their RTC skills and was appointed and personal protective equipment
knowledge having joined during Covid and therefore used/worn throughout. All crews then worked
unfortunately missing out on valuable training nights simultaneously on a roof removal in order to extricate
due to restrictions. one Papa Charlie who was medically trapped in the
• RTC six phase team approach with emergency and vehicle. One Papa Charlie had been released from
full plan in place. between car and van and one Papa Charlie extricated
• Assess and extricate casualties, make all vehicles from the van prior to the roof removal being
safe, correct personal protective equipment and carried out.
Beyond Cover August 2021 5
Partnership Working
The six phase team approach including an emergency Feedback from Firefighters acting as IC:
and full plan was adopted by the Incident Commander
Firefighter Moran – “The exercise with Devon and
which led to good operational procedures, SSOW,
Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was beneficial
simultaneous activity and communication between
to me as it gave me a better understanding of how
all crews, resulting in the safe extrication of the Papa
they use alternative ways to execute procedures,
Charlie and all casualties were left in the care of the
to achieve the same goals as us. It was a good
Ambulance Service. End of exercise.
experience as it put me out of my comfort zone as I
am used to only working with my own crew from an
Officer in Charge (OIC) level, meaning I had to liaise
with officers from another service and stations,
making it a more real-life experience. The opportunity
to send messages via Devon Critical Control also
highlighted the importance of sending good
messages/updates. This drill was of great benefit for
my development as I’m currently going through my
ICS Level 1 training with the aim of becoming a Crew
Manager at Bude Community Fire Station. The post
drill debrief highlighted learning outcomes as well as
valuable/positive feedback for me to take away and
reflect upon”.
Firefighter Hawkins – “The RTC exercise with Devon
and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service was beneficial
to my incident command development as it enabled
me to work with the Devon crews and give me a
greater understanding of their command structure
and procedures which differ slightly to Cornwall Fire
and Rescue Service, although achieving the same
objectives. It was also beneficial on an operational
Learning outcomes / level to use the Stab Fast, something which I’ve had
feedback from crews: limited use of, a very good and versatile piece of
• Consider appliance positioning on arrival. equipment. Overall, it was good to train operationally
• Slight difference in operational procedures between with the Devon crews, as being at Bude we often work
Cornwall and Devon and Somerset crews – covered in alongside Holsworthy crews at incidents”.
debrief.
Thanks
• Reciprocating saw can be a very useful/advantageous
piece of equipment to use at an RTC, something that A big thanks to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue
is sometimes overlooked. Service (Holsworthy Fire Station – Watch Manager
Ravenscroft / Firefighter Heard) for organising,
• To organise additional RTC drills in line with setting up and inviting Cornwall Fire and Rescue
training planner to maintain competency and skills/ Service crews (Bude Community Fire Station) along
knowledge. to participate in an over the border drill. A big thanks
• Very beneficial for two Firefighters who are going also to Red Post Garage for providing multiple
through their ICS development as this gave both an vehicles, setting up the drill, use of their premises and
opportunity to act as an Incident Commander. for taking an active part in the drill itself.
• Gave Bude crews the opportunity to get hands on Crew Manager Jack Wellington,
with the new RTC equipment on their new MAN
appliance. Highlighted how versatile the stab-fast
equipment is.
• To carry out ‘over the border’ drills more regularly, Bude Community Fire Station
very beneficial to both Devon and Somerset Fire and
Rescue Service and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service
personnel.
6 Beyond Cover August 2021
Hot Strike
F
ollowing incident 6200, “Fire – Residential”,
a hot strike was carried out by Purple Watch
at Liskeard Community Fire Station, in the
vicinity of the affected property. The cause of the
fire was due to the kitchen appliance (hob) being
left on by the occupants which had a cooking pan,
tray and tea towel left on the ring, that resulted in
these catching fire.
Activity Detail
• Home/general fire safety discussions carried out
between crew and occupants of affected property -
fire safety and living safe and well booklets handed
out. Advice given in relation to the cause of the fire as
well as multiple cigarette butts being outside of back
door – high fire risk.
• Hot strike carried out due to demographics and size
of area.
• Assumptions made about all properties within
area being Council owned due to it being a Council
estate (historically), however it came to the crew’s
attention that multiple houses within the area were
now under private ownership and therefore not being
maintained by Cornwall Council, resulting in a few
properties without any fire detection in place and
occupants with little fire safety awareness.
• 20 properties in vicinity of affected property. Home
fire safety visit carried out on 10 properties - multiple
smoke alarms fitted either due to no alarms being
present, being out of date or faulty. Fire safety and
living safe and well booklets handed out. Free home
fire safety check card and relevant booklets left at 10
properties where occupants were not in.
• Recording of hot strike inputted into CFRMIS, coded
as a hot strike and not under a general home fire
safety check (HFSC).
Summary
• Details of hot strike and information exchanged.
• When guidance allows, a re-visit to this area to carry
out further HFSCs and any referrals that come in from
where free home fire safety check cards were left.
Crew Manager Jack Wellington
Purple Watch, Liskeard Community Fire Station
Beyond Cover August 2021 7
Community Engagement
Virtual Open Day
The crew at Wadebridge Community Fire
Orange Watch Station are very community orientated and
Penzance cold water love nothing more than hosting various
events throughout the year to raise money
swimming initiative for charities. Unfortunately, the Covid
pandemic put a stop to these activities for
both the public’s and our crew’s safety.
However, this
didn’t stop us
Since April 2021 Orange watch at Penzance formulating a
plan to raise some
Community Fire Station have been
much-needed
delivering their latest initiative, offering funds for a charity
safety advice to swimmers partaking in cold close to our
water swimming at various local spots. hearts – The Fire
Fighters Charity. A
In the last few years there has been a tremendous
mobile phone app
resurgence in the popularity of cold water swimming
was discovered
across the UK and especially here in Cornwall. There
that enables the
are various reasons for this such as the popularity of
user to instantly
“the iceman” Wim Hof with his cold water therapy
capture and share
and breathing techniques and the use of ice baths and
a virtual scan of
cryotherapy in sports recovery. The positive physical
any space using
benefits of cold therapy have also been shown, at least
its 3D technology. The app was utilised to create a 3D
anecdotally, to cross over into mental health benefits
interactive virtual tour of Wadebridge Community Fire
for some people. Consequently, there has been a
Station. The tour could be viewed from any device with
massive rise in the number of people of all ages who are
an internet connection and featured everything you
swimming year round at various places in the sea and in
would expect to find at our regular annual open day and
fresh water.
more.
Orange watch saw this as an opportunity to educate
The tour was hugely successful, and we’ve had very
and inform people about the potential risks of such
positive feedback with regards to how this technology
activities in an effort to help them make the most of
has the potential to be used in other areas of the service
their swimming, while also keeping them safe.
to promote fire safety messages etc.
We put together some handouts containing useful cold
We’d like to say a special thank you to the stations,
water swim safety information, including information
watches and individuals who helped to make our virtual
from the RNLI’S excellent “Float to Live” campaign. To
open day possible by providing and locating footage,
spread the information as widely as possible we have
photographs and historic information. In total we raised
shared posts on social media and have been making
£100 for The Fire Fighters Charity.
early morning visits to local swimming spots on our
patch like battery rocks and Penzance harbour to talk to If you haven’t seen our virtual open day or would like to
swimmers. view it again, you can do so by following this link –
bit.ly/54VirtualOpenDay
The information has been really well received by our
community and the initiative is ongoing. Anyone who When Covid restrictions ease and we deem safe to do so,
wants more information about our initiative please we look forward to welcoming you all in person to one of
contact Ross Williams or Doug Arnull at Penzance our regular open days.
Community Fire station. Firefighter Joshua Plowman,
Firefighter Ross Williams, Wadebridge Community Fire Station
Orange watch, Penzance Community Fire station
8 Beyond Cover August 2021
Dyslexia Working Group Team Developments
The Dyslexia working group was set up with the aim of We welcome new members and representation from
helping to create a more inclusive and diverse service for across all aspects of the service, regardless of if you have
all and improve the way we work so we can ensure we dyslexia, think you may have dyslexia or just would like to
get the best from all of our people. The group is chaired support the working group and learn more about dyslexia
by Helen Turner, Strategy, Education and Engagement and how to help others. If you are interested in getting
Manager and is open to anyone in the service to join the involved, would like to learn more, have any questions
group. regarding dyslexia or would like support for yourself or a
We meet quarterly and are currently looking at a member of your team please get in touch by sending an
dyslexia policy, as well as guidance and support for staff email to peopleteam@fire.cornwall.gov.uk.
already diagnosed with dyslexia or staff who feel they Helen Turner,
would like to go through the diagnosis process. We also Strategy, Education and Engagement Manager,
aim to help managers gain better awareness of what Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
dyslexia is and how they can better support staff and
colleagues.
Opportunities ….
Cornwall Pride • Becoming the LGBTQI+ Lead for the service. This
and LGBTQI+ means attending the Council network and the
National Fire Network. Many allies undertake this role
The Cornwall Pride Bus Tour of the Duchy this year was for services this can be a joint role and I am on hand
to support
postponed until July, but when it got “out” and about
the engagement was epic! Thank you to One and All who • Cornwall Pride (the big event) took place on Saturday
engaged, danced and sang with our communities over 28 August. After this year I would really love for a
the weekend. team of people to co-ordinate and lead this event in
the future years to make our involvement bigger and
You know as your Chief Fire Officer how much I enjoy the better!
celebration of diversity, but I want us to go bigger and
Please if you are not sure, but think you might like to do
better and I know this can only happen with you taking
it, then just give me a call and we can have a chat.
it on! I would of really like more of you to come forward
and be a part of the celebration and get involved with Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Billing,
LGBTQI+ engagement and events. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
In this role you get to learn so much from so many
passionate and driven people with your involvement
with different events and stakeholders. As I have said
before, I have found it to be one of the best ways to
network with other fire colleagues nationally.
Beyond Cover August 2021 9
Team Developments
New ways of developing
decisions in Cornwall Council
C
ornwall Council is changing the way it
assesses its decisions and how they
impact our environment, communities and
workforce. The Cornwall Development and Decision
Wheel is an easy to use digital tool based on the
underlying theory of doughnut economics, replacing
and combining the Council’s climate change decision
wheel and the Comprehensive Impact Assessment.
The Cornwall Development and Decision Wheel assesses for ensuring equality can be maximised. Engaging
environmental, social, equality and inclusion impacts. and consulting with relevant groups is the best way of
The tool creates two exportable graphics based on a identifying what any impacts might be.
number of questions. The graphics provide clear visuals
The main benefits of the tool are:
of the potential impacts of our decisions and how we
might mitigate against them. a) ensure that decisions impact in a fair way
b) makes sure decisions are based on evidence
Why do we carry out impact
c) makes decision making more transparent
assessments?
In January 2019, the Council declared a climate d) provides a platform for partnership working.
emergency. As a Council we have a leading role to play To ensure transparency, completed decision wheels
in tackling climate change and the wheel helps us to put will be published on our website, enabling everyone to
this at the heart of our decision-making process. check the impacts identified and see how the Council
The Council also has a legal duty to eliminate unlawful has tried to address any negative impacts.
discrimination, advance equal opportunities and
promote good relations between people. This tool
E-learning Package
ensures any proposals consider the needs of our E-learning will be available in September through the
communities. Learning Hub. This e-learning will provide you with
skills you need to successfully complete a Cornwall
It is important the Cornwall Development and Decision
Development and Decision Wheel. It will provide
Wheel is carried out at the earliest opportunity to ensure
understanding of why we impact assess our projects,
that you have the time to undertake any additional work
programmes of work, policies and service changes; the
that will inform your decisions (for example community
benefits of carrying out impact assessments; and what
engagement). It is also good practice to work in a small
you need to be considering in the ‘Environment and
group of 2 or 3 to get the best from the process.
Social’ and ‘Equality and Inclusion’ sections.
The Cornwall Development and Decision Wheel
If you would like further information or support please
encourages individuals and teams to think carefully
contact Alex Rainbow, Carbon Neutral Cornwall
about the likely impact of policies, procedures,
Assessment Specialist, alex.rainbow@cornwall.gov.
strategies, functions, services and decisions on internal
uk or Gail Bishop, Strategy and Partnership Specialist
and external customers.
(Equality, Diversity and Inclusion),
Any consequences on particular groups or the gail.bishop@cornwall.gov.uk, 07814 692000.
environment should be given further consideration. This
Gail Bishop,
means, as far as possible, any negative consequences
Strategy and Partnership Specialist Equality,
can be eliminated or minimised and opportunities
Diversity and Inclusion, Cornwall Council
10 Beyond Cover August 2021G7 Special Edition
Technical innovation to support G7 • St Ives On-call
Eden Project • Tregenna Castle Hotel • G7 Thank you
Contents
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service soar to new
heights of technical innovation to support G7 12
Cornwall selected to host the G7 Summit as
part of its 2021 G7 Presidency 13
St Ives On-call 14
Flight Planning 14
Eden Project 15
G7 Summit Tregenna Castle Hotel 17
G7 Thank you 18
Beyond Cover August 2021 11G7 Summit
Cornwall Fire and Rescue
Service soar to new
heights of technical
innovation to support G7
C
ornwall fire and rescue service (CFRS) It was recognised the long-lasting legacy this would
create for the service; the operational benefits of the
continues to explore new innovation
Fotokite are numerous. It can deploy from its base
and technology across the emergency station up to a height of 45 metres and immediately
services manufacturing sector, through transmit conventional and thermal imagery through
proactive networking with suppliers and the umbilical to a rugged tablet. This will allow incident
with other Fire and Rescue Services under commanders to obtain real-time incident information
to inform and influence the tactical plan, identify
the National Fire Chiefs Council’s South
developing risks and manage firefighter safety by
West Region Research and Development gaining situational awareness remotely. This additional
Workstream. layer of intelligence allows for better decision making for
Equally, through reacting to learning outcomes from deployment of assets and the requirement for additional
operational incidents both locally and nationally, we resources at the earliest opportunity. The Fotokite
are demonstrating our commitment to continuous can be deployed to a range of different incident types
equipment improvement and the enhancement of such as large structural fires, road traffic collisions and
incident ground safety. wildfires.
We recently identified and trialled a new product to Plans are now being progressed for wider use across
the UK marketplace. This new product, Fotokite, is a the service with a number of staff identified to
tethered kite that omits the complicated protocols and receive operator training. The unit will be stationed at
procedures that are necessary to deploy a commercial Tolvaddon Community Fire Station and mobilised via
drone. Fotokite is classed as an industrial grade Critical Control on request. Further guidance is under
aerial camera system that is specifically designed for development and will be released in the next few
emergency services and public safety teams. months.
As part of our planning arrangements for the G7 Group Manager Mark Salter,
Summit, it was agreed to expedite the procurement of Assets Team
this equipment to support and complement site safety
and security, and to also give incident commanders an
immediate aerial view of any incident that may occur
at the strategic venues. This would maximise our
ability to gain greater critical situational awareness,
along with a multitude of other operational benefits.
The procurement of this state-of-the-art equipment
contributed to the planning objectives of this high-
profile event and demonstrated our contribution to the
smooth running of the G7 summit.
12 Beyond Cover August 2021Cornwall selected to host the G7 Summit
as part of its 2021 G7 Presidency
P
rime Minister Boris Johnson brought Plans were developed through adopting a collaborative
approach, working with blue-light partners, wider
the world’s leading democracies
stakeholder engagement through Devon, Cornwall and
together to reach major new Isles of Scilly Local Resilience Forum, National Fire Chiefs
agreements to help the world fight, and Council, National Resilience and drawing upon the
then build back better from coronavirus and expertise within Cornwall Council.
create a greener, more prosperous future. Resourcing for the event had a considerable impact
Hosting fellow world leaders from Canada, on strategic, tactical and operational levels across
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US, and the Service and saw a temporary uplift to our normal
response model and command structure to be
invited leaders from Australia, India, South
employed within the county. Planning processes
Africa and South Korea, in Carbis Bay, St Ives covered both event and business as usual activity. Whilst
between 11 and 13 June. The Summit is the this was an operational deployment please know that
main event of the UK’s G7 Presidency 2021. every one of our teams were involved with the planning
and response, this really was a huge service wide team
For Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), the event
effort to deliver the G7 summit.
planning phase commenced almost immediately
following the government’s announcement at the end The success of the event hasn’t gone unnoticed and as a
of January that Cornwall would host the event. The service we have been approached by Scottish Fire and
size and scale of the planning requirements for our Rescue Service to set up a series of meetings to discuss
Service were recognised from the outset. The G7 summit our planning arrangements and learning outcomes
wasn’t something we had planned for as a service and for G7. This is to aid their own planning for hosting
almost certainly came at a time when we were already Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26) the United Nations
incredibly busy with a Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Climate Change Conference UK 2021. This is to be held
Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in Glasgow from the 1 November – 12 November 2021.
inspection and continuing to respond to Covid. In addition, we also have meetings booked with West
Midlands Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the 2022
To offer some context around the size of the challenge,
Commonwealth Games being hosted in Birmingham.
Devon and Cornwall Police undertook peer reviews,
feedback described this as “the most complex and Thankfully our plans were not specifically tested
challenging event due to geography, time and scale” and during the G7 event, this should not take away from the
“one of the most unsuited venues for protection” that meticulous planning that was undertaken. You worked
UK Policing has undertaken. diligently to help deliver a hugely successful event that
had a minimal impact on the local community.
The planning and response to G7 was always going to
be reliant on a multi-agency approach and through I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all staff for
working together we were able to share intelligence their involvement in the planning and delivery of the G7
and situational awareness of risks and issues around summit. This has been the most amazing team effort,
Cornwall. This very intelligence was instrumental across all functions and we should be rightfully proud of
in enabling us to plan our comms, resources and what was achieved.
operational response, with a very clear overall strategy Assistant Chief Fire Officer Antony Bartlett,
to “provide a safe, effective and resilient response for G7 Strategic Lead
Cornwall during the G7 event”
Beyond Cover August 2021 13G7 Summit
St Ives On-call
W
hen it was announced the venue for Message of thanks to St Ives Crews:
G7 would be the Carbis bay hotel
and Tregenna castle hotel in June Hi Brian,
nobody really knew what to expect, but as I just want to say “thank-you” again to you and
the weeks went by it soon became apparent your colleagues for looking after us all last weekend
how big an event this would be for our town. when we descended on your fire station! You made
us feel truly welcome and helped us out greatly.
St Ives Community Fire Station was to be upgraded to
a 24-hour station from Wednesday 9 June to Sunday As promised, I’ve attached a couple of photos
13 June, this was achieved with crews of four for the of the whole team as we were parked up in the
duration. The station also became involved working rear yard, Greater Manchester Police to the left,
alongside police and security officers making sure we Lancashire Police in the middle and Merseyside
could still provide fire cover within the cordons around Police to the right.
the venues. Saturday afternoon saw our drill yard Stay safe and thanks again,
become home to Greater Manchester, Lancashire and
Merseyside Police for a couple of hours before being Kindest Regards,
redeployed. Inspector Damian Pemberton,
Who would have thought the president of the United Lancashire Constabulary
States of America would stay at St Ives and visit the
Catholic church for Sunday service. I would like to thank
the crew that got involved for their time and the success
over the five days and not forgetting all the great food
served up from breakfast to the Sunday roast!
Station Manager Brian Jenkins,
St Ives Community Fire Station
Flight Planning
This is an image of the planning for the flights returning
home on the Sunday from Newquay Airport (Venue 3).
It was mega chaotic where we needed to ensure the
airport and all roads outside were closed prior to and
post take off whilst giving time for the next delegates
to make it through the gate for their flight!
Station Manager Martyn Addinall
14 Beyond Cover August 2021Eden Project
S
t Austell Orange Watch and on-call
firefighters were tasked to provide Listening in to this briefing, it became evident all
fire cover throughout an event being “V-VIPs” would be in attendance at this event and it
held at the Eden Project, kicking off the G7 was eye opening for me to see how much work and
preparation had to take place behind the scenes to
summit in Cornwall. Although details were facilitate this. On this day, Eden Project would be in all
scarce due to security and secrecy, Group likelihood, one of the most secure places in the world.
Manager Wheatman and Station Manager From the watch perspective, the following days entailed
liaising with Eden to check fire hydrants, confirm escape
Castleden gave a brief outline of what would
routes of V-VIPs in conjunction with locating appropriate
be required from us on the day, with more routes for response to any incidents that may occur on-
details disclosed when suitable. site.
I accompanied Group Manager Wheatman and Station Alongside this event, St Austell Community Fire Station
Manager Castleden to a high-level multi-agency meeting were required to provide fire cover for Osprey landings
at the Eden Project, involving various branches of police at Carlyon Bay Golf Course. Due to the size of the
and intelligence agencies, US secret service, ambulance, aircraft, V-VIPs would be transferred to Eden via smaller
coastguard and senior members of the Eden Project chartered helicopters. Liaising with on-call Watch
team, whereby details of attendees were discussed and Manager Fouracres, a crew was organised and attended
potential scenarios and threats were identified. Each a trial run to locate water supplies and a suitable
agency ran through their actions for every potential location to provide a quick response to emergencies…
eventuality including terrorism, protests, medical most likely extinguishing the golf course if it was set
emergencies and fire incidents. alight by aircraft! After a successful exercise, St Austell
Beyond Cover August 2021 15G7 Summit
crews then made preparations for the station to be used timescales required to upgrade facilities, the end result
as an emergency decontamination site. Once a visit was extremely impressive given time constraints and
was carried out by US secret service, the station was pressures.
prepped and ready for the event.
With the Covid-19 situation, capacity issues / high
On the day, we co-located with ambulance, police and visitor numbers in Cornwall and the questionable
Coastguard. Group Manager Wheatman co-ordinated environmental impact of an event this size, I would class
us with other agency commanders in a control room myself as somewhat of a sceptic to the format of this
established next to the biomes, where the main event year’s G7, given these issues faced. However, all this
and sit-down meal between world leaders was taking aside, the crew and I felt proud to play our small part
place. The weather unfortunately meant we were not in the summit, representing Cornwall Fire and Rescue
required to relocate for helicopter landings at the main Service and helping to show the best of Cornwall and
entrance to Eden, as V-VIPs would be arriving by road its people to the wider world. The dedication and co-
vehicles instead. The upside of this was being stood ordination required from all levels within the service,
feet away from the Royal Family, US motorcade and all given the unprecedented circumstances, is testament
attending countries convoys as they arrived by vehicle. to the professionalism, willingness, and flexibility of our
It was a nice touch that the Royal Family took the time to personnel tackling all challenges faced.
give us a wave from their respective vehicles as we stood
(T) Watch Manager Ade Sleeman,
to attention.
St Austell Community Fire Station
To finish off what was a successful and incident free
day from all perspectives, we joined Group Manager
Wheatman at the biomes for a photo opportunity where
the dignitaries met the press and gathered for their
meals. After seeing the amount of work undertaken in
the preparation stage at Eden Project and the limited
16 Beyond Cover August 2021G7 Summit Tregenna
Castle Hotel
T
he G7 summit although successful, left
us as a service really unsure on how
to best staff/cover and support the
summit whilst carrying on with business as
usual within our county.
The main sights were marked as venues and venue and Rescue Service was on site for the duration keeping
one and two were to be the main sleeping risk and a waking watch and support the private fire marshals
the accommodation for the high profiled guests. Four that were in place. They also were there to support and
National Interagency Liaison Officers (NILO) officers supply water for any aircraft incident that initially the
would be given the task of fire commander for each private CAT Air fire cover and the military would respond
venue swapping their shifts to allow one to be on duty to, due to the numbers of helicopter and US Osprey
at all times at venue. The NILO was used due to the aircraft that was moving to and from the site.
advanced training in security clearance and the ability
to work over the bonnet allowing true Joint Emergency What kind of things were we able to
Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) to become
involved at such a shared service and partnered led support around venue two?
event. We were able to give the reassurance of operational
fire safety cover to a busy site that had lots of media
I shared venue two Tregenna Castle Hotel, with Area
presence and reporting, high profiled leaders and
Manager Andy Barrett to which we provided an eight
guests holding meetings/eating and sleeping on site.
hour on/off shift for the four days, five nights of the
Due to the dry weather the Osprey aircraft with their
summit. The role placed us in a team of partners
down draft engines caused a risk of fire to the grass
operating a very dynamic and ever-changing control
areas. Reassurance was given to cover failures in fire
room/centre at each site. This was led by a site
detection equipment and mitigation of risk could be
commander from Devon and Cornwall Police and
defined and examined to allow leaders to continue to
included the Foreign Commonwealth Office, Royal
use the facility. Fuel logistics where supported enabling
Protection, fire arms teams, military, private security,
the US president to attend the Royal meet at the Eden
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation
Project. Fuel was underestimated due to lack of aircraft
Trust and ourselves, who held regular meetings to
movement on the first two days due to fog, and the high
keep abreast of logistical precise timed movement of
volume of fuel required to keep a US convoy on the road.
dignitaries to other venues and the ever security threats
Communication and sharing of information between
to these high profile visitors and leaders that come with
services and silver command was valuable with such
their role and the opportunist protesters against the
movement around the county and between venues.
summit.
For me personally it was a privilege and amazing
Tregenna would house the President of the United States
experience to be part of such a high security and profiled
for the summit along with other world leaders, which led
event, and it was pleasing to see all the hard work from
us also to work with the US security staff as well and the
the county and partners coming into place to provide a
culture challenges this also would bring. Alongside our
safe and successful event, placing Cornwall again on the
command role, a staffed appliance from Cornwall Fire
world stage.
Station Manager Des O’Connell
Beyond Cover August 2021 17G7 Summit
G7 Thank you
I want to start by just saying Letter of thanks to Jon Castleden:
“thank you”. Dear Jonathan,
During the peer reviews that we undertook the G7 leaders’ summit 2021
event was regularly described as the “the most
complex and challenging event due to geography, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you
time and scale” and “one of the most unsuited for all the support we received from you and
venues for protection” that UK Policing has Cornwall Fire and Rescue colleagues throughout
undertaken. the planning and delivery phases for the G7
Leaders’ Summit.
Devon and Cornwall embarked on a scale of which
few forces have been asked to do, but the support Together with a range of local, regional, and
from you and your team was amazing. national partners you worked tirelessly and
collaboratively, often with challenging deadlines
I know it was not smooth, but it worked and was
and changing requirements, to plan and deliver
effective.
enabling this event to pass off successfully.
The feedback from international delegations and
These collective efforts really did pay off - the
from the Home Secretary yesterday was very
feedback from our visitors and our senior
positive: they recognised the effort that had gone
UK colleagues has been overwhelmingly
in, but also the professionalism and success of the
positive. The G7 Summit committed to immediate
event.
action on global health, climate, nature and
Your team were at the core of this: I could not have development and you helped make this happen.
done this without your and their support.
Please can you pass on my thanks to all the CFRS
Not only during the planning phase which changed personnel who were deployed at the various G7
daily but also the deployment phase and having venues and C3 structures for their professionalism,
your staff with us in Exeter was re-assuring. commitment and flexibility. Jon Geddes, the
The Friday informal catch ups must be good Senior Reporting Officer and the FCDO Protocol
practice as these bought us together personally team are very grateful for your support.
and professionally thank you! Yours sincerely
Glen Mayhew, Victoria Busby
Assistant Chief Constable, Director of Protocol and Vice-Marshal
Devon and Cornwall Police of the Diplomatic Corps,
Letter from Downing Street:
Thank you very much to you and your team for their fantastic work in delivering the
G7 Leaders’ Summit. I know that it has been a monumental undertaking for Cornwall
Council, and I am grateful for the collegiate approach that you have taken throughout
planning and delivery.
The summit succeeded in showcasing the best of Cornwall and helped to shine
a light on everything the county has to offer. I am delighted that the Council has
taken custody of one of the summit bilateral tables and I hope you are very proud of
everything you have achieved.
18 Beyond Cover August 2021G7 Planning
M
y planning role was to represent the Post-G7 response
fire sector at local, regional, national phase, I represented
the fire service at
and international levels. I worked debriefs hosted by
collaboratively with multi agency partners, Devon and Cornwall
multiple government departments, military Police, Local Resilience
and other critical stakeholders; planning Forum and HM
Government, drawing
for every potential eventuality and ensuring together shared lessons for our own internal debrief
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) process. I am also now sharing our collective learning
was in a position to mitigate the risks as far with Scottish colleagues preparing for Conference of the
Parties 26 (COP26) and West Midlands Fire and Rescue
as practicable and provide a proportionate Service for their engagement with the Commonwealth
response to any incident. Games 2022.
My response role was to represent CFRS working Station Manager Jonathan Castleden
in Silver Command at Devon and Cornwall Police Tactical Planning Lead, Tactical/Silver Commander,
Headquarters in Exeter. I worked with blue light and G7 Legacy Project
military partners to effect a joint command response
to incidents and worked collaboratively with wider
partners through the Tactical Coordination Group;
addressing impacts and consequences of the G7 event
on business as usual services.
Beyond Cover August 2021 19Our People
United we Mo
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service aren’t only
saving lives by putting out fires. The last few
years they have also donned some fantastic
face furniture in a bid to get men talking. Recruiting the team
As well as prompting important conversations, growing They put together an article in the Cornwall Fire and
moustaches helped bring some fun and competition to a Rescue Service magazine Beyond Cover to advertise the
tough year. The team enjoyed seeing each other’s unique team and encourage others to join. As well as this, they
Mo styles and growth rates, and the public appreciated a emailed different stations in the county to invite them to
laugh when they appeared at incidents. join their team, which helped foster relationships with
other stations.
The Cornwall team had great support from their Senior
Leadership Team and strive to get them even more Competition
involved in the fundraising next year. Through all their
The team from Cornwall especially loved the
amazing activities, these Mo legends raised an incredible
competition with other fire stations up and down the
£6,029 in 2020, making them the highest fundraising fire
country. Keeping an eye on who was at the top of the
service in the country.
leader board kept the passion alive throughout the
Here’s how they did it…. month and gave the opportunity for some friendly
rivalry with local fire services.
Fundraising
“There were some amazing efforts by teams across the
In 2020, many of the events Cornwall Fire and Rescue country and it really doesn’t matter if it’s £10 or £10,000,
Service had organised had to be replanned due to it all helps and goes to a great cause”
COVID-19. However, this didn’t slow them down, below
are a few of their fundraising efforts. The Movember article above was
created by the Movember team
01
A solo 42-mile walk by their team captain to themselves, highlighting the work
replace the group walk they could no longer that Cornwall Fire and Rescue
do. Services team have done. This will
be used to try and get additional
Alongside the walk their team captain also
Fire Services involved.
02
ran a social media live feed and bravely
discussed his own mental health journey to With Movember rapidly
help raise awareness. This was particularly approaching, planning is underway
successful in raising funds and even to make Cornwall Fire and Rescue Services Movember
encouraged others to seek help. team bigger and better than last year, when we still
managed to be the top raising Fire Service in the UK! I
“I had a message the following day from a would love for more people and stations to get involved
friend to say I had encouraged them to seek this year and will be putting out communications in the
help with their mental health, this made the near future.
sore muscles worth it”
If anyone has any questions on how to get involved with
03
The team made sure to share all the the team then please email me at graham.smith@fire.
Movember resources raising awareness of cornwall.gov.uk and I will be able to point you in the
men’s health and made people aware of the right direction. The money we raised as a team has gone
cause and the impact their donations would on to help so many people and is a charity close to my
have. heart, so get involved and let the Mo grow.
04
A strong social media campaign with weekly Firefighter Graham Smith,
‘Mo’ updates was a great way to advertise Purple Watch, Liskeard Community Fire Station
their growth, as well as events, at a time when
it was difficult to get out and meet people.
20 Beyond Cover August 2021Occupational Health and
Wellbeing Services
T
here are currently a range of health • ‘Best Foundations: Introduction to OH&W (for new
and aspiring managers ONLY)’ (2.5hrs via Teams): A
and wellbeing services being offered short introduction and overview to the role of the
to staff by the Occupational Health Occupational Health and Wellbeing team, including
and Wellbeing (OH&W) team… when and how to refer to OH, being aware of issues
within your team and our wellbeing offer.
Occupational Health (OH) referrals are still available,
mainly via Teams/telephone currently, to help support • ‘Tiredness and Fatigue Awareness’ training (1hr via
both individuals and managers in managing physical Teams): This session will focus on identifying the
and/or mental health, either whilst in work or when causes of tiredness and fatigue to help you avoid
people are off. burnout during lockdown, alongside hints and tips
to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Manager advice available if needed to discuss referrals
or have coaching on how to approach difficult • ‘Health Champion’ training (2.5hrs in Teams):
conversations. Become a Health Champion This is for anyone
who has a passion for health and wellbeing to not
• Confidential counselling is currently available via the
only act as a signpost for all our campaigns and
OH team.
information, but also encourage the health and
• Training (booking available via Oracle) wellbeing of your team with your initiatives and our
• ‘Be Mindful About Mental Health’ training (2hrs support.
via Teams): This training looks at many ways • ‘Managing in a Digital World’ training (1hr in Teams):
that individuals can support their mental health, Considering aspects of how to manage your health
covering tools and techniques such as mindfulness, and wellbeing whilst working remotely, looking
positive reframing, gratitude and improving specifically at connecting with colleagues and
wellbeing behaviours. employing positive behaviours whilst managing
• ‘Resilience – Adaptability and Agility’ training significant digital demand.
(2hrs via Teams): This training looks at tools and • Wellbeing presentations are available for teams/
techniques to build personal resilience; looking services, covering what wellbeing support is available
specifically at aspects of resilience particularly within Cornwall Council; advice/tips on actively
adaptability, confidence, social support and support your health and wellbeing; and how you (and
purposefulness. managers) can support the health and wellbeing of
• ‘Well at Work’ Improving absence, managing stress your teams.
and building resilience for you and your team’s • 1:1 lifestyle clinics are available to anyone wanting
manager only (2.5hrs via Teams): This course to make a change to their health behaviours (e.g. diet,
looks at dealing with difficult issues with staff exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking etc).
and teams. In exploring with you and the group it
• Olivia Dunlop, Wellbeing Advisor, is running fitness
provides supportive tools and techniques using
classes every Thursday (body weight fitness and core)
best principles and practice and problem-solving
8am-8:45am.
approaches to build resilience for you and your
teams. How and when to make a good referral and
get the best out of Occupational Health to support
you and your staff.
Beyond Cover August 2021 21Our People
All abilities welcome and no equipment needed. A
variation of movement options will be made available
for those struggling with the planned movement. For
those unable to attend the live classes, recordings
of the sessions will be uploaded to the OH&W
Stream channel each week. For an invite to attend
the sessions live, please email Olivia.davenport@
cornwall.gov.uk
• Live virtual yoga classes are being offered
throughout the week by a number of Cornwall Council Shout 85258
employees. Please see the yoga intranet page for the
full timetable of classes and details on how to join
these sessions.
‘bluelight’ service
• Our weekly 5 ways to wellbeing update showcase a Shout 85258 is a free and confidential text support
range of health and wellbeing opportunities and ideas service for anyone in the UK. They offer a keyword
using the framework of the 5 ways to wellbeing. service specifically for emergency responders,
including Fire and Rescue workers, offering mental
• Social connection opportunities
health support and a safe space to talk whenever it
• Cornwall Council’s Health and Wellbeing is needed.
Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/groups/
CCHealthandWellbeing) is used to allow staff to All staff members can text ‘BLUELIGHT’ to 85258
share opportunities for health/wellbeing as well as at any time of day or night. They will be connected
to connect with one another. through text message to an experienced volunteer,
with the aim of helping them to reach a place of
• Cornwall Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strava calm. Shout can help with feelings of stress, anxiety,
group encourage employees to increase their depression, loneliness and suicide. The service is
walking, cycling and running. Staff can compare silent and anonymous.
their mileage each week to other employees, and
also take part in fitness challenges that we set You can find more information at
throughout the year. giveusashout.org/bluelight.
• Cornwall Council’s Health and Wellbeing Goodreads
book group provides a forum for staff to see what
each other are currently reading and share book
recommendations. There is also regular book
discussion and challenges encouraging staff to read
more.
For any queries please contact:
occupationalhealthandwellbeing@cornwall.gov.uk
Crew Manager Steve Dyke
On 23 May 2021, the crew at Wadebridge Community Fire Station
celebrated a very special occasion.
Crew Manager Steve Dyke celebrated his 60th birthday in style
with an impressive cake that represents our fire appliance
(C54P1). Steve has served as an on-call firefighter in Wadebridge
for 42 years and is still going strong!
Firefighter Joshua Plowman
Wadebridge Community Fire Station
22 Beyond Cover August 2021Upcoming Campaigns
September
• Theme of the month - Home Fire Safety
• 5 September – International Day of Charity
• 5 September – Tour of Britain
• 5 September – Firefighters Service of
Remembrance
• 6 – 12 September – National Fire Chiefs Council
The role of a Tri-Service (NFCC) Business Safety Week
• 7 September – Youth Mental Health Day
Safety Officer • 9 September – Emergency Services Day
• 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day
As a Tri-Service Safety Officer I respond • 11 September – 20 year anniversary of 9/11
to emergency calls for police, fire and • 13 September – Kids take over the kitchen Day
ambulance within the local community
• 24 – 25 September – Tolvaddon Community Fire
of Looe. I focus on safeguarding, early Station Pride Have A Go Day
intervention and prevention of those most • 27 September – 1 October – Bike to School Week
vulnerable residents within the community.
October
An example of this work is whilst conducting a domestic
premises risk reduction visit for Cornwall Fire and • Theme of the month – Smoke Alarm Testing
Rescue Service, I would talk to the resident about fire • Black History Month
safety within their home and how to prevent fire. Then I • 1 October – Older People’s Day
would ask them if they know how to report non urgent
calls to Devon and Cornwall Police via the 101 Service; • 3 October – National Grandparent’s Day
this could be about Anti-Social behaviour they have • 4 October – World Dyslexia Awareness Day
witnessed in the local area. • 11 – 17 October – Candle Fire Safety Week
I then talk about accessing • 13 October – National Burn Awareness Day
medical support via the NHS
111 service again for non- • 25 – 31 October – Student Fire Safety Week
urgent health care related • 25 – 29 October – Half Term
enquiry’s when the local • 25 October – 7 November – Commercial
surgery is closed. It’s quite often Vehicle Week
the case whilst having these
• 31 October - Halloween
discussions, the vulnerable person benefits from the
visit in multiple ways and from multiple emergency November
services perspectives. Having the Community Safety
Accreditation Scheme enables me forge strong • Theme of the month – Electrical Safety
community links. • 5 November – Bonfire Night
Tri-Service Safety Officer Phil Whittingham, Looe • 11 November – Remembrance Day
• 14 November – Remembrance Sunday
• 15 – 21 November – Electrical Fire Safety Week
• 16 – 21 November – Brake Road Safety Week
• 18 – 25 November – National Road Safety Week
Beyond Cover August 2021 23You can also read
