Police volunteers to lend fire brigade a helping hand

The police volunteering scheme was launched in 2008 and recruits initially worked on police station front counters, but now assist mainly with community safety events.

The unpaid workers will not take on similar roles for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, including home and fire safety support, engaging with local communities at events, administrative tasks and role playing activities.

The force currently has more than 100 volunteers on a scheme managed by the community safety unit.

Chief Constable Tim Hollis said: “This initiative is the first of its type by way of sharing our volunteers.

“There are significant benefits to both Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue in further developing our partnership working, sharing costs and expanding our joint community engagement programme.”

The force’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Grove, said: “Our police volunteers are driven by their wish to help protect our communities and this excellent arrangement will allow them to do even more.

“Collaborating with other public services is essential because we are delivering similar messages around public safety.

“Our communities will benefit from joined-up working like this which means we can do more to keep people safe at less cost. I commend this initiative.”

The partnership will give the volunteers experience of two public sector organisations and avoid duplication of effort at community events attended by both services.

Chief Fire Officer Richard Hannigan said: “This is a good example of collaborative working with Humberside Police. Volunteers bring a great deal of enthusiasm and experience into both services and they will enable us to work even more effectively with our community.”