Warwickshire News Mine

The service is to be using a whole range of personal protection equipment.  It forms part of the national Integrated Clothing Project (ICP), which brings all fire and rescue services into line with national standard specifications and identity whilst enabling them to make significant savings due to the mass procurement.

The National Procurement Strategy was established by the ODPM (now Department for the Communities) in 2005, and a body, Firebuy was founded in order to standardise national specifications and maximise procurement savings.

The working trials for the equipment were the most vigorous of their type in the history of the service.  Clothing from all bidders was tested over two four-week periods under strictly controlled scientific conditions.  16 male and female volunteer firefighters wore protective clothing - provided by the four companies bidding for the contract – which were then tested for levels of heat stress and durability and, by simulating physical movement, comfort and durability.

The specification of the design followed comprehensive risk assessments and took into account the changing role of the modern firefighter who can also be expected to take part in Urban Search and Rescue.

The supplier of the ICP is Bristol Uniforms Limited which has specialised in PPE for fire and rescue services since 1962 and currently provides uniforms for around 40% of the UK’s Fire and Rescue authorities.

Under current contracts, firefighters have two issues of equipment, excluding the helmet.  The new contract will see the supplier carry out all maintenance of the equipment and keep reserves to hire out to regional fire and rescue services enabling full resilience without the levels of costly stock lying unused around fire stations.

Roger Startin, joint managing director of Bristol Uniforms Limited, said:  “We’re delighted that Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has signed the contract for the integrated clothing project which is the head to toe protection of the firefighter when operational.  We now have eight fire and rescue services who have signed this national contract with more to follow.

Chief Fire Officer, Graeme Smith said: “Firefighter safety is one of our top priorities and I am pleased that we can continue to provide top quality protective equipment in this challenging economic climate.”

Cllr Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection, said:  “I welcome this new contract for providing firefighters’ personal protective equipment.  It represents a win-win for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“The nature of the procurement means that we are making very substantial savings by working with our colleagues in other authorities. 

“But these efficiencies would be irrelevant if the equipment was not offering our firefighters the maximum possible safety.  The rigorous testing, unprecedented in the history of the service, has satisfied our own experts that this equipment will offer the optimum personal protection and will help to protect them in the variety of dangerous tasks they have to face.”

Link to WCC