Managing Major Emergencies and Disruptions.

We can handle most emergencies with our own fire engines and firefighters. However, major incidents sometimes require support from other Fire and Rescue Services. We have measures in place to call upon additional support when needed. 

Nearly all serious emergencies require a multi-agency response. By collaborating with our partner agencies in West Yorkshire, we can respond with the right mix of skills, expertise, and equipment to address the risks we face. 

We operate in accordance with the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) to ensure effective collaboration with West Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and our other partner agencies during serious and major emergencies. 

"Nearly all serious emergencies require a multi-agency response. By working with our partner agencies in West Yorkshire, we can respond with the right mix of skills, expertise, and equipment to deal with the risks we expect to face."

National Resilience Assets
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We maintain a full suite of specialist resources that can be deployed anywhere in the UK. Similarly, we can call upon specialist resources hosted elsewhere in the country to respond in West Yorkshire. We have agreements in place to share these resources when needed, and we consider our national commitments when making local plans.

Business continuity
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Business continuity management is a crucial aspect of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service’s risk management strategy, addressing both internal disruptive events and external emergencies such as extreme weather, flooding, terrorism, and infectious diseases. This approach ensures that essential public services are maintained without interruption. It empowers staff to make swift, informed decisions to effectively respond to disruptions, thereby minimising the impact on us and our operations. 

Regular testing and exercising of business continuity plans and related arrangements enhance our risk awareness and improve the likelihood of successful plan implementation. This ensures we can continue to function effectively during and after any disruptive events.

Local Resilience Forum
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We recognise that the causes and consequences of fires and other emergencies cannot be addressed by the Fire and Rescue Service alone. Therefore, working in partnership with other agencies is fundamental to how we deliver services at all levels and in all areas; partnership working is considered part of our core business. 

As a member, WYFRS plays a key role in the West Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (West Yorkshire Prepared), established under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. West Yorkshire Prepared coordinates the actions and arrangements between responding services to prepare for and respond to civil emergencies. It also assists people and communities in recovering after adverse events. Our partners work collaboratively for the benefit of the communities we serve.

Partner Organisations of the West Yorkshire Resilience Forum:

Collaboration and partnership working
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We understand the benefits of collaboration and work closely with partners such as regional fire and rescue services, local authorities, emergency services, health teams, community groups, and voluntary organisations to identify and support the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. 

By seeking out collaborative opportunities, we have been able to find possibilities to share estates with West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. This has provided opportunities for joint training, combined community engagement opportunities and better multi-agency working. This collaborative effort supports more cohesive service delivery, achieves better value for money, and facilitates more effective planning for emergencies and pre-planned events.