Mountain Rescue Teams

If you get the chance have a read of the Lake District Mountain Search and Rescue Association Mountains Accidents 2011
A long title but an important booklet for anyone contemplating using the Mountains and hills of the Lake District or anywhere else for that matter.

Whilst many of the takes of accidents and injuries supported by MRTs are unfortunate or unavoidable. many are not
So to give you a sample of challenges that have faced our brave and voluntary organisations rescuing you off the Mountains here goes.

"they had a GPS but did not know how to use it"
"family of 5 benighted with no torches"
"map was waterlogged and useless"
"party of 3 decided to climb Skiddaw through an unusual route, benighted with no torches"
"had no map compass or torches"
"had no torch and didn't know what to do"
"GPS batteries failed"
"reported missing by friend, found in Sheffield"

As well as these tales there are heroic incidents that demonstrate the sheer workload and value of MRT response. They help the badly injured, they help locate and retrieve bodies, they rescue many from harm.

If ever you see the Mountain Rescue Teams say thank you. They are there to serve everyone and do so without prejudice about how people find themselves in difficult situations. They will get you out.

But you can also help them by taking some simple precautions. A map, a compass a torch minimum. Many guide books provide simple lists of things to remember.  And take a water proof cover for your map, it has been known to rain in Cumbria. 

MRTs are there to help all of us, let's spread a little common sense, take the things we need and support them to continue to provide the real Forth Emergency Service

If you use the Mountains or have ever been rescued, remember MRTs are volunteers and rely on our financial support.

So give and help them help everyone

If you get the chance have a read of the Lake District Mountain Search and Rescue Association Mountains Accidents 2011 A long title but an important booklet for anyone contemplating using the Mountains and hills of the Lake District or anywhere else for that matter. Whilst many of the takes of accidents and injuries supported by MRTs are unfortunate or unavoidable. many are not So to give you a sample of challenges that have faced our brave and voluntary organisations rescuing you off the Mountains here goes. "they had a GPS but did not know how to use it" "family of 5 benighted with no torches" "map was waterlogged and useless" "party of 3 decided to climb Skiddaw through an unusual route, benighted with no torches" "had no map compass or torches" "had no torch and didn't know what to do" "GPS batteries failed" "reported missing by friend, found in Sheffield" As well as these tales there are heroic incidents that demonstrate the sheer workload and value of MRT response. They help the badly injured, they help locate and retrieve bodies, they rescue many from harm. If ever you see the Mountain Rescue Teams say thank you. They are there to serve everyone and do so without prejudice about how people find themselves in difficult situations. They will get you out. But you can also help them by taking some simple precautions. A map, a compass a torch minimum. Many guide books provide simple lists of things to remember.  And take a water proof cover for your map, it has been known to rain in Cumbria.  MRTs are there to help all of us, let's spread a little commo sense, take the things we need and support them to continue to provide the real Forth Emergency Service If you use the Mountains or have ever been rescued, remember MRTs are volunteers and rely on our financial support. So give and help them help everyone

Police and the Private Sector

There is a great deal of debate underway on an OJEU notice that WMP and Surrey have posted.

The notice was signed by a number of forces who have expressed an interest in the outcome of the debate, including Cumbria. The notice does not, in my view, commit any force to privatise core policing delivery but does give rise to the opportunity for debate about a range of supporting services.

The fundamental question it asks of the private sector is this: can the private sector deliver supporting aspects of policing cheaper, and more effectively and efficiently than currently achieved by the Police Service directly? Notably, can it do so after existing reduced budget reductions are actualised ?

To “test the market” private organisations will need to fully understand policing requirements and then make viable proposals. As I understand it, forces may then choose their level of involvement and decide on what components they wish to adopt. There are many ways of looking at this. Clearly, one is the view that this is a step toward privatising policing, and ought not to be seriously considered. However, many of the services we already deliver have a private sector aspect. For example, the vehicles we drive, the clothes we wear, the equipment with communicate with or use has been purpose built by private industry − mostly to specifications made by the police. Moreover, many aspects of recording of crime (e.g. ActionFraud) or forensic technology (i.e. the many forensic service or digital recovery services) are privately managed.

It is not new for policing to look for alternative sources of directly managed service delivery. The overarching challenge will be identifying what services could be open to delivery by private sector organisations and those that must remain within our own direct control.

As police leaders we have a duty to deliver against our objectives and the Policing Plan as well as budgets set by our governing bodies, the Police Authority and the Home Office. When Police and Crime Commissioners are elected, communities may more closely dictate what and how programmes of work are delivered. Remaining outside the discussion or debate now, is not, in my view, a reasoned response.

Today, we have to deliver policing services against a substantial reduction in budgets as part of the national drive to address the budget deficit. We should investigate any reasonable opportunity to maintain high quality service delivery within our budget allocations. One option is to “open services to market forces”. This gives us the opportunity to explore where other service providers can meet the criteria of highest quality and more efficient costs. When private organisations respond to the notice we will be able to better discuss what alternative service delivery method, if any, we might consider.

We cannot predict the future or prejudge the public appetite for change (through the PA or PCC) beyond the existing reduction programmes. If Company X is capable of delivering a better and cheaper service privately than the police service can deliver, perhaps in the future then they may do so. Indisputably, the safeguards of ethical behaviour, service competence, capability, liability and risk management must always be paramount. I am not fundamentally against using private business to deliver services. The greatest challenge to private providers will be to ensure that a central ethos of public service is delivered.

Policing is about citizens entrusted with extraordinary powers to uphold the law. Where that power is exercised actions and behaviour must be accountable to the community and the state, and I believe that must always be so. However , in good conscience can we use that principle to deny others from delivering supporting services? Like most officers with whom I serve, I started my public service career with a clear intention to make life better for society and do things that are right. Our support and non-warranted staff share this vision and commitment. Whilst many do not have direct contact with the public, they work to reduce crime, mitigate victim impact, and serve our communities well. Their allegiance to the police is immeasurable. Already under threat of notice of job changes or cuts, it is not surprising that current private sector considerations are worrisome. We must remain sensitive to the concerns of all our staff and integrate their views into our decision making.

The debate about creating a more ‘contracted approach’ to policing has just begun. There is no simple answer, and the whole debate has many sides and probably no ends.

I look forward to an open discussion with colleagues about these issues

On Friday 2nd March I gave a presentation to students at the University of Cumbria. This is the presentation (unfortunatly plus a few minor amendments) I gave

U of cumbria2 march

View more PowerPoint from Stuart Hyde

Visit to Germany February 2012

Last week I had the pleasure to visit Franconia, Bavaria and Berlin. A week of museums music and magic. Beautiful sights, churches buildings and intersting food wine and beer. Cities such as Munich, Nurnberg and Warzburg huge historical significance as well as Berlins spectacular operas.

Some pics below, the rest are on the right

Hope you enjoy the views.

A range of sausages

Frozen River

Amazing paintings

Ancient Chemist

A love sign. You sign a lock and throw away the key. a symbol of affection

And finally the Brandenburg Gate in chocolate.

yummy.

A real cultural journey

Had a lovely walk above Pooely Bridge today
Here are some pics. It well worth remembering that images can be created from the sky and from the ground.

Equally stunning views of the fells with cairns

And the numerous stone circles

And of coure Sunday lunch

All finished off with Pooley Gingerbridge from wwwgrannydowbekins.co.uk

Cumbria launches new initiative Inspira

Today I attended the launch of Inspira.

You may think this is a new Shared Service company, or an amalgamated international change conglomerate

No it’s not any of those.

It’s the reborn and revitalised Connexions Service of Cumbria

I am not usually a fan of rebranding but having listened to the leaders of Inspira outline their vision and goals it all makes sense. Beg, borrowing and more to get a rebrand for almost nothing they have encapsulated the reason why Connexions existed in the first place, to Inspire and get people to achieve their potential.

So what’s behind the name?

Firstly, massive success, as Connexions Cumbria, in placing, training, developing and growing people into future employment. A real sense that “anything is possible” oozes out of their leaders.  Locally they are respected by schools, the University, colleges and most importantly, employers.

Russell Hobby the General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers built the audience up with an impressive recognition of Cumbria’s advancements through Connexions. Paul Oginsky Adviser to the Office of Civil Society built on a humorous presentation to guide us into really believing that this not only could be a great change, but was the right change for Connexions in the County.

Finally Mark Bowman as the Chief Executive of Inspira showed his total commitment and enthusiasm.

So what will Inspira actually do?

Well it is all about building on the success of Connexions Cumbria, giving people hope which is much in demand in these difficult and challenging times. But its reach will be broader looking to help organisations as well as individuals to succeed and grow.

As an ex Connexions Birmingham Board member I want to ensure that we as a Constabulary are doing everything possible to assist. Cumbria people, expect it, and indeed demand it for the future of its people.

This is what Inspira is all about

We are a delivery-based provider of community services, and our name reflects our purpose to inspire people, organisations and communities to success.
We offer comprehensive solutions to a wide variety of social challenges, including delivery of statutory services to public bodies and strategic support for local authority programmes supporting youth in the community.
We work in partnership with many organisations, to provide unrivalled expertise and an unmatched network of expert coverage across the country.

Go to http://www.inspira.org.uk/ To find out more