Sharing the latest news from Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Roger Hirst

PFCC welcomes 79 new Essex Police officers at Passing Out Parade

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst welcomed 79 new police officers to Essex Police at a Passing Out Parade last week.

The officers, 42 men and 37 women, will carry on the hard work of the force driving down crime in the county.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “Passing Out Parades are a very special occasion for the newly qualified officers and their families. It’s an opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication to joining the force, as well as congratulating them for completing their initial training.

“They are joining a police force that is the strongest and largest it has ever been and demonstrates the commitment of the PFCC and Essex Police to maintaining strength of numbers.

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Latest fire service inspection report published

Inspectors have found Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) is improving the way it keeps people safe.

ECFRS is good at understanding and preventing fires and other risks in Essex and has been rated as good at future affordability. There is no longer a cause for concern for protection work, with inspectors recognising the hard work that has taken place with businesses, high rise buildings and the rural community to reduce risk.

The report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) comes following an inspection in October last year.

The inspection was the Service’s third assessment in as many years and looked at effectiveness and efficiency, and how well ECFRS looks after its people.

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SETDAB J9 Training in partnership with Alpha Vesta CIC

FREE J9 training for communities, groups, businesses, and organisations.

The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership (SETDAB) have teamed up with Alpha Vesta to offer FREE J9 online training sessions designed to create safe spaces across the community. Participants will learn how to recognise, respond and refer anyone who may be experiencing domestic abuse.  The training is aimed at local communities and groups including customer facing businesses and organisations who are ideally placed to spot some of the early indicators of domestic abuse.

The training will take no more than one hour, various one hour time slots are available on:

11 April , 7 May, 5 June, 4 July

Book your space here

Fire Service urge homeowners: Replace smoke alarms every 10 years

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has issued a crucial reminder to homeowners to replace their smoke alarms every 10 years, regardless of their power source.
It is a common misconception that mains-wired smoke alarms don’t need to be replaced every 10 years. However, the fire service emphasises that all smoke alarms, whether mains-wired or battery operated, must be replaced every 10 years.
Claire Monk, Live Safe Manager said: “Smoke alarms are the best protection you can have in your home to keep you safe from fire, but it’s important to understand that they have a finite lifespan.”
All smoke alarms, no matter how they are powered, have sensors that deteriorate over time, rendering them less effective in detecting fires. Essex residents are urged to proactively check the expiration date of their smoke alarms to mitigate potential risks.

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming PFCC District Public Meetings – everyone welcome – find out more at Events Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner