Blue light sector update

ALARM Blue Light Group

The ALARM Blue Light Group continue to hold well attended monthly lunchtime meetings via Teams to networking and share best practice for members. Lookout for our one-hour Siren Sessions, with content that is relevant to many, and all ALARM members are welcome to join. 

In our session on the 24 February 2022, Fleet Manager John Gorton from Kent Police (who is also the chair of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers) focused on managing risk in police fleets. This encompassed emerging risks around autonomous vehicle technology, big data, the level to which drivers can bespoke the vehicle (for example using different driving modes) and managing road risk with other parts of the organisation, such as driver training.  

Our spring event on the 17 March comprises of various sessions on organisational learning from the COP26 event, and Project Yarrow which is the co-ordinated response to a national power outage. 

Blue Light Committee 

We welcome any member who would like to join the Blue Light Committee to get involved in planning events or to join a monthly committee meeting to see what we do. Please get in touch with me or any other member of the Blue Light Committee.  

Interconnected risks 

Financial challenges for both emergency services and partners mean we are operating on reduced budgets, while medium-term financial forecasts predict further significant financial savings will be required over the next three years. This is within the context of increasingly complex demand, and significant changes to policing and criminal justice nationally. While volume may be reducing in some areas, workload and complexity is increasing in others, for example, safeguarding and mental health. 

Civil emergency threats such as terrorist incidents, cyber attacks, severe weather and pandemics are increasing in risk. These are occurring concurrently, becoming consistent realities that need active management. The ability to respond to major threats and incidents is critical. 

The world is still recovering from the medium and long-terms implications of the catastrophic impact of COVID-19. These include economic recovery, along with severe delays in manufacturing and distribution, with shortages of essential materials and goods such as microchips and vehicles.   

Geopolitical risks have escalated due to ongoing events in Ukraine, which will have an impact on interconnected risks, including global supply chains, cyber security, and the economy. The developing humanitarian crisis may lead to raised tensions and the potential for protests and demonstrations.