Agenda item

Jonathan Smith, Lead Officer for the Emergency Services Collaboration Working Group (ESCWG), discussed the background of the Group and outlined its future work programme.

The ESCWG was set up in 2014 and since then has undertaken a programme of work looking at collaboration across the emergency services. The Group published an overview of the collaboration underway in blue light services across England in November 2014 and is due to publish an updated version shortly.

Mr Smith stressed that strategic buy in was key to successful collaboration and also discussed the efficiency savings provided by the Multi Agency Information Transfer (MAIT) system. Blue light collaboration is important but fire service collaboration is wider including, health, charities and other public services.

Members commented that Fire and Rescue Authorities should be represented on the roundtable discussions about collaboration.

Decision

The Fire Commission noted the update.

Action

Officers to progress as necessary.