Priority Message

In this episode Tristan is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer to discuss the National Employers pay offer for 2026/27 and the implications should the offer is rejected.   There is also a short update on our campaign to oppose the cuts in Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Compensation Framework for the Matthews 2 options exercise.   If you found this episode of Prior...

In this episode Tristan is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer and Dorset and Wiltshire Branch Chair, Andy Elliott to discuss the decision by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority to go out to consultation with a proposal to close eight On-Call Fire Stations in the service.   Andy, Mark and Tristan discuss their initial thoughts on the proposal and the action that the FRSA will take to oppose...

In this episode we welcome back Claire Johnson, Senior Pensions Adviser for the LGA to Priority Message, the Podcast from the FRSA.    This edition of the podcast will also be available via our YouTube channel.   Claire provides listeners with an update which incorporates the responses from a government consultation process that seeks to overcome some unintended consequences of curr...

In this episode Tristan is joined by local On-Call Firefighter and Fire Co-Responder , Gavin Brooks and FRSA President , Mark Palmer to discuss the proposal by South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) to phase out Fire Co-Responders in the South West region over a 12 month period and replace them with Community Volunteers . This episode makes reference to three national reports th...

In this episode Tristan is joined by new NFCC Chair, Phil Garrigan , the former Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who has taken up the of NFCC Chair for the next four years. If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues.  If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple...

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by Dr Steve Sadler to discuss his ongoing research and how he has worked with services across the UK. Want to read more about Steve's work, research, evidence, and data to drive smarter decision making, then you can find re-enkindle's website here -  https://www.fireserviceresearch.co.uk  and/or connect with Steve here -  www.linkedin.com...

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by FRSA Chair for Warwickshire, Conor Edwards who provides a further update on the proposals from Warwickshire FRS Senior Leadership Team of CFO Ben Brook and ACFOs Sally Waldron and Rob Allen, which would see dozens of On-Call firefighters made redundant and a large reduction in the number of appliances available during the day and night, all at an addition...

In this episode Tristan is joined by the Co-Chairs of the NFCC On-Call Steering Group, DCFO Steve Healey (Lancashire) and ACFO Andy Cole (Dorset and Wiltshire). Steve and Andy provide an update on the progress of the National Group and the success of the recent On-Call Conference that took place for the first time in five years. Every FRS with On-Call staff attended the conference, which was the f...

In this episode we welcome Claire Johnson, Senior Pension Adviser for the LGA to Priority Message, the Podcast from the FRSA.  This edition of the podcast is also available via our YouTube channel. Claire provides viewers with an overview of the Second Options Exercise , an update on the timescales involved from a national perspective and some clarification on the forms that will be received...

Kevin Tedds , On-Call Support Team Manager for Nottinghamshire FRS , is invited onto the podcast to discuss the work he and his team have been undertaking to improve recruitment and retention of its On-Call units. This episode makes for a great listen and busts the myth that the On-Call Duty System is broken and not viable in the 21st century. You can follow Kevin on X (formally twitter) via @MrTe...

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer to discuss the pay offer presented by the National Employers which was published on 25 April 2024. As a member-led, independent trade union, the FRSA welcome the views from our members on the offer, the details of which can be found on our website . You can also submit your views via email to FRSA HQ . If you haven't already, y...

In this episode Chief Executive Officer, Tristan Ashby and National Executive member, Ben Redwood discuss recent events in Parliament and specifically the Home Affairs Committee panel sessions with Fire & Rescue Service stakeholders which focused on Culture issues in English FRSs. The Home Affairs Committee session which took place on 05 March 2024 can be found here . The Home Affairs Committe...

In this episode Chief Executive Officer, Tristan Ashby is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer, to provide members with an update on the campaign to oppose the proposals in Warwickshire to sack all of On-Call firefighters in the service , and rely solely on Wholetime firefighters, Part-Time firefighters and 'Surge Teams'. These proposals, which are contained in the Cabinet paper from their meetin...

In this episode National Executive Officer, Ben Redwood , is joined by FRSA Chief Executive, Tristan Ashby to discuss plans by the Senior Leadership Team in Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, to removal all of their On-Call units , preferring to rely solely on Wholetime firefighter, Part-Time firefighters and 'Surge Teams'. These proposals, which are contained in the Cabinet paper from their me...

In this episode our Chief Executive, Tristan Ashby, is joined by National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Mark Hardingham , who provides his view on the challenges facing the sector, and answers a number of questions posed including, how the NFCC operates, the Chair's role, tackling poor behaviour in the fire service, On-Call recruitment and retention and migration from On-Call to Wholetime. If you wou...

This is part two of a two-part podcast in which we discuss the mechanics and eligibility criteria for Retained / On-Call Firefighters to take part in the Second Options Exercise, and join or extend membership of the Firefighters Pension Scheme as Special Members / Pensioners . This exercise will provide eligible firefighters to purchase historical pension service from the date they joined the fire...

This is part one of a two part podcast in which we discuss the mechanics and eligibility criteria for Retained / On-Call Firefighters to take part in the Second Options Exercise, and join or extend membership of the New Firefighters Pension Scheme as Special Members . This exercise will provide eligible firefighters to purchase historical pension service from the date they joined the fire service,...

In this episode we are joined by Justin Johnston who is the Chief Fire Officer of Lancashire FRS, Vice-Chair of the NFCC and past Chair of the FireFit Steering Group plus Area Manager Neil Taylor (also Lancashire FRS) and current Chair of the FireFit Steering Group. Justin and Neil join Tristan Ashby (Chief Executive Officer of the FRSA) to discuss firefighter fitness.   If you would like to...

FRSA National Officer Ben Redwood sits down with Terry Reynolds from Devon and Somerset FRS to discuss his experiences Co-Responding in the service, including the benefits and whether there are any disadvantages to performing the role.   If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episod...

Our two national FRSA officials from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service , David Crawford and Tim Kirk, join Tristan Ashby to discuss their experiences both as operational staff and as local trade union officials in Scottish Fire .   The topics of discussion touch on the pay offer from 2019 , crews of 3 and impact the FRSA has had on both individual members but also the service as a whole. &nbsp...

In this episode FRSA National Officer Beccy Barr speaks to HMI Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM.   Beccy and Roy discuss the recent HMICFRS Spotlight report on Values and culture in fire and rescue services, including what the report found and how the sector should react to the recommendations in the report.   You can follow Roy on @roywilsher   If you would like to contact the Podcast you can...

In this episode we speak to the new NFCC Lead for On-Call , Lancashire Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Steve Healey.   Steve discusses how he will approach his new role, the challenges facing On-Call across the UK and his plans on how to improve On-Call recruitment and retention and appliance availability.   You can follow Steve on @stevejhealey   If you would like to contact the Podcast...

As we celebrate International Women's Day , Chief Fire Officer for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Dawn Whittaker joins Beccy Barr and Tristan Ashby from the FRSA to discuss her experiences on joining the fire service and rising through the ranks to CFO, plus the current and future challenges facing the sector. If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.or...

In this episode National Exec member Ben Redwood and Chief Executive Officer, Tristan Ashby discuss the current pay offer from the National Employers and the background to the proposal, how the offer is funded and the potential consequences of where the money is coming from. Ben and Tristan also talk about why the National Joint Council (NJC) is failing firefighters and the need for reform. If you...

The Fire and Rescue Services Association has launched its very own podcast. From time-to-time we will be inviting guests onto the podcast to hear other voices and perspectives on a wide range of topics. But, we want our content to be driven by you, the listener, so if you have an area related to the fire and rescue service that you’d like discussed on the Pod, you can email the show on prioritymes...