Fire & Rescue
5 ways FireAngel support our community
From charity fundraising, workplace wellbeing, mental health mentors and cycle to work schemes, discover how we support our people, communities and partnerships.
Fire & Rescue
At FireAngel, it has and always will be about putting people and their communities first. From supporting our fire and rescue community to nurturing local talent and fundraising for causes close to our hearts, we’re proud to look out and support one another.
We’re passionate about leading the way with advanced technology, that has been designed to make a real difference in communities to protect those most at risk and aid fire prevention. However, the desire to see a positive impact runs deeper than only our product development at FireAngel. Here‘s an insight into a handful of initiatives, activities and policies we have in place to protect and empower our people…
Following positive feedback across the company on homeworking throughout the pandemic, we have introduced a flexible working agreement at FireAngel to support a better work life balance.
This has proved invaluable for team members who have dependents at home or are caring for others. Encouraging flexible working is also in line with our environmental policy at FireAngel, by helping to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and cut carbon emissions.
Since the first lockdown, we’ve also welcomed more than 22 new faces to the FireAngel team working in partnership with local, specialist recruitment companies in the Midlands. Due to remote working, we successfully interviewed 95% of these new recruits via Microsoft Teams and provided inductions and full training on how to work efficiently from home.
Alongside training, we’re committed to supporting local talent and helping young people to fulfil a career in their chosen field. That’s why in the past 12 months we’ve welcomed FireAngel’s Engineering Technician apprentice Ben Rabone, who is receiving on-the-job training in our Research & Development department while continuing his further education.
Speaking about his experience so far, Ben said:
“I have learnt many new skills in engineering. I have gained experiences on a variety of different engineering areas and my knowledge and understanding has improved massively.
“As well as learning new skills, I have also made quite a few friends and have settled in comfortably at AMTC. When I had a break from the training centre, I came on site at FireAngel and I enjoyed my time there with Brian, as I experienced what I would be doing on a daily basis for FireAngel and I found it very interesting and productive.
“With this little insight I really look forward to working full time at FireAngel in the coming months and progressing with my apprenticeship and my career as a FireAngel employee.”
We’re committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise to help influence young individuals like Ben and support their career plans, and we aim to take on more FireAngel apprentices over the next 12 months.
FireAngel provides an employee assistance programme, offering our staff a whole host of wellbeing services in-house from debt management to mental health support.
When approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental illness each year, we’re committed to building a safe working environment for all our team. As part of this, six members of our team have been trained by St John’s Ambulance in First Aid for Mental Health to support our 130 members of staff.
One of our Mental Health First Aiders, FireAngel’s HR Manager, Leanne Harris said:
“As a business, FireAngel Safety Technology Limited understands and acknowledges the positive impact that healthy, happy and engaged employees make to the success of the business.
“Over the past 2 years we have provided training to key members of the team in First Aid for Mental Health and offer ongoing support and resources to employees going through mental health problems. We are committed to providing an open and honest workplace where employees can discuss mental health problems and receive the necessary support when needed.”
We’ve always had measures in place to support and implement eco-friendly practices wherever possible at FireAngel. Our environmental policy outlines our commitment to reduce waste, carbon emissions and water consumption across the business.
One of the ways we’re supporting our waste reduction initiatives is proactively working with our suppliers to make a transition to update our product packaging from plastic PET to recyclable cardboard. As a result, once the transition is complete, we will have saved nearly 1.9 million PET boxes from going to landfill.
Another way we’re working to reduce our impact on the planet is through the government’s Cycle to Work scheme which all employees are invited to take part in. This year, we have two live cycle scheme agreements in place and as one of the healthiest and most environmentally friendly modes of commuting, it’s a great way to reduce congestion and boost wellbeing amongst our team.
FireAngel is proud to support several UK-based charities with the important work they do locally and nationally.
Every year we donate to the self-help group Women in the Fire Service, formed of members of both genders from all roles across the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS). The group aim to enable and inspire confident and successful women to build a more progressive Service.
Our team also organise individual fundraising events and donations throughout the year such as Macmillan Coffee Mornings, Red Nose Day, Mind Health and an annual Christmas jumper day for The Children’s Burns Trust.
FireAngel’s Chief Finance Officer Zoe Fox recently took part in a gruelling charity hike in June, whilst our HR Manager Leanne Harris completed a 10 mile walk in July raising £270 for the charity Mind.
From annual sponsorship of NFCC’s Prevention and Protection Conference to sponsoring 10 events each year that recognise FRS staff and local heroes, we’re committed to supporting our community wherever possible.
Over the years, our in-house creative and marketing team at FireAngel have been more than happy to support the FRS and local communities with digital content, marketing support and raising awareness to drive enhanced campaign exposure.
From designing visual assets, producing brochures, social activity and promotions to filming, editing and funding awareness videos for the FRS, we have been delighted to provide a wide range of marketing support. We also enjoyed working with THINK CO and the Gas Safe Charity to produce a video alongside Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Speaking of CO, did you know FireAngel support the national campaign ProjectSHOUT? We continue to shout about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of buying an audible carbon monoxide alarm.
Another important industry campaign we support is Cadent Gas’ CO hero Safety Seymour. FireAngel provide carbon monoxide alarms for the group’s work teaching children about carbon monoxide across schools in the UK.
In terms of other cuddly mascots, we recently partnered with Derbyshire FRS to fund their Trauma Teddy community initiative. Buddy Bear is issued by front line staff and Police colleagues to young children that have witnessed or been involved in an incident that may cause distress, hurt or other type of trauma. Buddy Bear becomes their friend through the ordeal and a keepsake of the emergency staff that helped them through it.
We’re looking forward to continuing our fundraising activities, wellbeing initiatives and other great projects we can engage and support our community with.
