Care UK and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Mark 10 Years of Lifesaving Partnership
Care UK and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) are marking ten years of a lifesaving partnership that has strengthened fire safety standards and helped protect residents and their loved ones, Care UK colleagues and visitors.
Over the past decade, the partnership has focused on building a clear, consistent approach to fire safety that works day to day across Care UK’s care homes.
The partnership operates through the Primary Authority Scheme, which allows organisations operating across multiple locations to receive consistent fire safety advice through a single fire and rescue service.
For Care UK, this has meant working closely with ECFRS to develop and maintain a clear and consistent way of managing fire safety across a large and varied estate.
Through the partnership, ECFRS has supported Care UK with ongoing advice and guidance on fire safety policies, evacuation arrangements and staff training.
The focus has been on ensuring these arrangements are practical, proportionate and able to evolve as services, buildings and teams change over time.
Phil Clarke, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Care UK, said: “The most valuable aspect of the Primary Authority Scheme has been the support in helping us review our approach to fire safety, from policy development through to evacuation planning and drill training. The scheme has helped us achieve consistency across the many different Fire and Rescue Services we work with, and the direct involvement of our liaison manager has been invaluable.
“It has also provided assurance to organisations we work with, particularly local authorities, that we have a robust and proactive approach to fire safety.”
Over the course of the partnership, Primary Authority working has supported ongoing learning and improvements in how fire safety is governed, reviewed and applied across Care UK’s services.
As a result, regular review of fire safety policies, procedures, training and risk assessments has become an established part of how fire safety is managed across Care UK’s homes.
Jonathan Dixson, Primary Authority Scheme Manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This partnership has not only improved fire safety standards but has also fostered a culture of learning and assurance.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved together and look forward to another decade of making a difference.”
Dave Bond, Area Manager for Prevention and Protection at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We are delighted with the success of this ten-year partnership and the positive difference it continues to make in protecting people.
“By working closely with Care UK, we’ve been able to provide consistent, practical fire safety advice that supports safer environments and gives confidence to both staff and residents.”
