Page 14 - July 2020

THE SALAMANDER | July 2020
Wellbeing impacts and have actively encouraged staff to have team “coffee chats” and other meetings that aren’t solely about work to reduce isolation, and to support the well-being and mental health of colleagues who are working from home and no longer have the level of support and contact that they normally would have with their line manager and colleagues.
Heathfield fire station, one of many who have taken every opportunity to show thanks and support for our NHS – and lit their drill tower
We also recognised that many of our staff would be concerned to protect their families and particularly those that might be more vulnerable.
There has been an awful lot of guidance and information pouring in from many quarters that has had to be read, determined and interpreted and implemented, as well as many requests for data and information by Government departments. I am immensely
proud of the way our staff have risen to these challenges.
Our Stations have also demonstrated their support in communities, notably doing their lights and sirens weekly checks on a Thursday evening to coincide with “clap for the carers and key workers.”
Our Communications teams have been flat out sharing safety information and advice in many ways and being really inventive too.
We noticed significant changes in incident patterns – obviously fewer RTC incidents during full lockdown, more fires in the open (bonfires in gardens) and also more Automatic False Alarms with empty business premises.
It’s fair to say that it’s been dynamic! And the return to normality, whatever that is, is emerging slowly. Almost certainly there are many challenges ahead as lockdown starts to lift – both societally and for us in the workplace, but the professionalism of our staff and the team work and the ability to be flexible and adapt will be key advantages to us.
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First Day Cover Stamps
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters First Day Cover of Great Fire stamps postmarked with a specially commissioned hand stamp which is exclusive to the Worshipful Company of Firefighters.
The covers are limited to an edition of 350 and signed by The Master. The first day of issue was 2nd September 2016.
The 2 stamp set: £10 + £4 P&P
Wenceslaus Hollar Print
As part of our contribution to the commemoration of the 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire of London, Liveryman Jeanne Brinton commissioned a limited edition print showing two views of the City of London, before and after the Great Fire. The views were drawn by the Czech artist Wenceslaus Hollar (1607 - 1677) and the original is held by the British Museum.
£19.50 Including P&P
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Page 14
Dawn Whittaker
CFO East Sussex FRS
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