WCoFF Bulletin No 1
Bulletin No 1
Worshipful Company of Firefighters – COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope that this bulletin finds you, your immediate and wider family along with all of your friends safe and well during this present pandemic and maybe for some time be a major element of communication with the membership.
The objective of these regular bulletins is to inform all of the Membership of what action is being taken on behalf of us all to ensure firstly to gauge the health and welfare of you all and to offer support to those who are in any sort of need and, whilst keeping you informed of how the Company is being managed during this unique and unprecedented period, which is likely to extend for some considerable time. Members will have already received a communication from Peter Cowland, our Almoner, on the strategy for actioning the Health and Well-being of all Members and I am aware that some members and their family have suffered from the Coronavirus in both mild and serious forms. Fortunately all appear to have or are in process of recovery.
As everybody is aware, the measures taken by HM Government, Public Health England (PHE) and the National Health Service (NHS), have been dynamic, fast-moving and have had a considerable disruption of normal day-to-day life. They have, of course, been necessary to prevent the spread of the disease, to minimise the number of deaths, and to give the NHS a small chance of being able to manage and treat the number of people who become affected by the virus.
In foreseeing the possibilities of what is currently now the position, the Upper Warden sought approval at the Court meeting on the 6th March 2020 “that any action that needs to be taken by the Company as a result of COVID-19 be devolved with full authority to the Master and Upper Warden”. As a result of rapidly developing circumstances and risk the Master and Warden directed The Clerk and Assistant Clerk to close the office with effect from Tuesday 17th March 2020 and work from home for the foreseeable future the Book-keeper was also asked not to travel into London to work in the office forthwith.
In the meantime mindful of Standing Order 13 – ‘The Executive and their role in the event of an Emergency”, The Master and Upper Warden, based upon the necessary skills and responsibilities to ensure the Company functions in such unique circumstances, for which Standing Order 13 was never designed, have formed the Worshipful Company of Firefighters Emergency Strategic Coordination Board (ESCB). This Board will deal with all Company business until such times as normality, in whatever form that emerges, returns. The objectives of the ESCB are to Maintain Continuity of the Company; Make urgent decisions required during this exceptional period and to keep all members informed and updated on a regular basis on Strategy and Actions.
The Members of the Board are:
- Graham Maltby (Upper Warden and Chair of ESCB)
- Frances Blois (Master)
- Andrew Mayes (Immediate Past Master)
- Stephen Sanders (Renter Warden and Assistant Clerk)
- Nicole Hoffman (Under Warden)
- David Holt (Under Warden in Waiting)
- Steven Tamcken (Clerk to The Company)
- Colin Simpson (Company IT Administrator)
- Peter Cowland (Company Almoner)
Each Member of the Board has a role and responsibility and the Company titles are not important as it operates as a Corporate Board in delivering the objectives. Colin Simpson has arranged a video conferencing facility and the Board meets every Wednesday at 3pm with an Agenda, Action Points and a Register of Items and Actions being maintained by Steven Tamcken.
The Board has taken the following actions over the last two weeks:
1. Due to the uniqueness of the situation and severity of this Pandemic, in order to respond to the fast-moving changing circumstances, Standing Orders are suspended until normal business returns.
2. Monitoring the Health and Wellbeing and, where possible, responding to the needs of Members is paramount and is directed and coordinated by the Peter Cowland with the assistance of all of the Board Members.
3. Keeping Members informed of matters actioned on behalf of the Company and Members on a fortnightly basis, even if there is little change in circumstances or matters to report.
Finally, it will come as no surprise that for the foreseeable future all planned meetings and Company events are cancelled and the Bulletins will update you further in due course. I hope you find this information of use and reassurance that the ESCB is acting in your interests and ensuring that the Company continues to function during this emergency. Bulletin No 2 will be with you in. two weeks’ time.
In the meantime please do your utmost to follow the PHE guidelines and all of you, your immediate and wider family and friends, remain safe and well.
Yours
Graham Maltby
Upper Warden and
Chair - Emergency Strategic Coordination Committee
6th April 2020