Priority Message

Hosted by Tristan Ashby

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Feb 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Priority Message , the essential podcast for all fire service employees. These podcasts are brought to you by the Fire and Rescue Services Association , the one truly independent, member-led trade union that puts its members first. The aim of these podcasts is to educate, inform and raise awareness on a wide-range of topics related to the fire and rescue service that feature regularly on stations among crews and watches up and down the country. We hope to dispel some long-standing myths, ask the tough questions, and more importantly provide some solutions to long standing issues faced by the sector. You can email the show on prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk More details about the Fire and Rescue Services Association at frsa.org.uk plus you can connect with the FRSA in a number of ways via Linktree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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24 recent

February 12, 202650 min

Dorset and Wiltshire FRS Proposed Cuts

In this episode Tristan is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer and Dorset and Wiltshire Branch Chair, Andy Elliott to discuss the decision by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority to go out to consultation with a proposal to close eight On-Call Fire Stations in the service. Andy, Mark and Tristan discuss their initial thoughts on the proposal and the action that the FRSA will take to oppose the closures, while simultaneously looking to formulate alternative proposals that meet the same objectives without removing frontline services. To find out more about these proposals and what action the FRSA is taking to challenge these cuts, visit our dedicated facebook page. If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues.  If you haven't already, members can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials.You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA. If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 27, 202647 min

Matthews Remedy (aka Second Options Exercise) update

In this episode we welcome back Claire Johnson, Senior Pensions Adviser for the LGA to Priority Message, the Podcast from the FRSA.  This edition of the podcast will also be available via our YouTube channel. Claire provides listeners with an update which incorporates the responses from a government consultation process that seeks to overcome some unintended consequences of current legislation. This may sound complicated, but Claire breaks down the relevant points to a level that is easy to understand. This episode attempts to answer some of the outstanding questions members still have, however, if any questions remain after listening to the podcast, please contact FRSA HQ for further assistance via pensions@frsa.org.uk  If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues.  If you haven't already, members can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials.You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA. If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 17, 202557 min

The end of Fire Co-Responders?

In this episode Tristan is joined by local On-Call Firefighter and Fire Co-Responder, Gavin Brooks and FRSA President, Mark Palmer to discuss the proposal by South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) to phase out Fire Co-Responders in the South West region over a 12 month period and replace them with Community Volunteers.This episode makes reference to three national reports that make comment on the work and value of Co-Responding in the Fire and Rescue Service, namely:Sir George Bain's report from 2002 - The Future of the Fire ServiceFrom January 2017 - Broadening Responsibilities: Consideration of the Potential to Broaden the Role of Fire Service EmployeesFrom November 2017 - Emergency Medical Response by Fire and Rescue Services If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues. If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 27, 20251 hr 5 min

In conversation with new NFCC Chair, Phil Garrigan OBE KFSM

In this episode Tristan is joined by new NFCC Chair, Phil Garrigan, the former Chief Fire Officer of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who has taken up the of NFCC Chair for the next four years.If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues. If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 20, 20251 hr 26 min

In conversation with Dr Steve Sadler

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by Dr Steve Sadler to discuss his ongoing research and how he has worked with services across the UK.Want to read more about Steve's work, research, evidence, and data to drive smarter decision making, then you can find re-enkindle's website here - https://www.fireserviceresearch.co.uk and/or connect with Steve here - www.linkedin.com/in/dr-steve-sadler-31497b27bInterested in finding out more about the On-call orientated availability and rostering system mentioned a number of times on the podcast - Here's a link to FireServiceRota's flexible, powerful, planning software. Used by several services across europe and UKFRSs with outstanding On-call availability to optimize On-call firefighters' availability - https://www.fireservicerota.com Interested in using the latest software to drive On-call Availability, Recruitment and Skills (OARS) decision making? You can watch a video https://www.fireserviceresearch.co.uk/latest-blog/oars-on-call-availability-recruitment-and-skills-planning then contact contact Steve directly at re-enkindle@fireserviceresearch.co.uk, or contact here - https://www.orhltd.com/orh-launches-oars-to-help-fire-and-rescue-services-tackle-on-call-challenges/ Lastly, for leaders who are readers here's a link to dozens of FREE articles, research, and studies all related to the On-call workforce: https://www.fireserviceresearch.co.uk/how-we-serve-you The Swedish firefighter report referred to in this episode, Sharing is Caring, can be accessed here.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Not currently a member of the FRSA? You can join via our website https://www.frsa.org.uk/join-frsa/ Our socials can be found here - https://linktr.ee/frsa.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November 8, 202453 min

Warwickshire - A further update

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by FRSA Chair for Warwickshire, Conor Edwards who provides a further update on the proposals from Warwickshire FRS Senior Leadership Team of CFO Ben Brook and ACFOs Sally Waldron and Rob Allen, which would see dozens of On-Call firefighters made redundant and a large reduction in the number of appliances available during the day and night, all at an additional cost of £2.6m over a three year period.All of the comments made by Conor Edwards have been evidenced and are publicly available via our website - www.frsa.org.uk/warwickshire The podcast was recorded on 25 October 2024 before news broke that Warwickshire CFO Ben Brook had taken the CFO role at West Midlands FRS.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Not currently a member of the FRSA? You can join via our website https://www.frsa.org.uk/join-frsa/ Our socials can be found here - https://linktr.ee/frsa.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

September 27, 202454 min

In conversation with DCFO Steve Healey and ACFO Andy Cole

In this episode Tristan is joined by the Co-Chairs of the NFCC On-Call Steering Group, DCFO Steve Healey (Lancashire) and ACFO Andy Cole (Dorset and Wiltshire). Steve and Andy provide an update on the progress of the National Group and the success of the recent On-Call Conference that took place for the first time in five years. Every FRS with On-Call staff attended the conference, which was the first ever NFCC event to sell out (even London Fire Brigade attended!). Presentations from the conference can be found on the FRSA App.If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues. If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 29, 20241 hr 17 min

Second Options Exercise - August Update

In this episode we welcome Claire Johnson, Senior Pension Adviser for the LGA to Priority Message, the Podcast from the FRSA. This edition of the podcast is also available via our YouTube channel.Claire provides viewers with an overview of the Second Options Exercise, an update on the timescales involved from a national perspective and some clarification on the forms that will be received by In-Scope individuals. The video attempts to answer many frequently asked questions, however, if any questions remain after watching the video (and we recommend you view it more than once, due to the level of detail involved), please contact FRSA HQ for further assistance via pensions@frsa.org.uk If you found this episode of Priority Message helpful, please give the podcast a 5 Star review and recommend to your colleagues. If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 24, 20241 hr 26 min

Every CFO should listen to this....

Kevin Tedds, On-Call Support Team Manager for Nottinghamshire FRS, is invited onto the podcast to discuss the work he and his team have been undertaking to improve recruitment and retention of its On-Call units. This episode makes for a great listen and busts the myth that the On-Call Duty System is broken and not viable in the 21st century.You can follow Kevin on X (formally twitter) via @MrTeddsSee all the excellent work being undertaken via @NottsFireOnCallAnd why not give Stapleford Fire Station facebook page a look, where Kevin is the pro-active Watch Manager - @StaplefordFireStationYou can download the report from Finlay Wishart, referred to in the podcast, by visiting the FRSA website. As a member-led, independent trade union, the FRSA welcome the views from our members on the offer, the details of which can be found on our website. You can also submit your views via email to FRSA HQ.If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA.If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 202430 min

Pay Offer 2024

In this episode Tristan Ashby is joined by FRSA President, Mark Palmer to discuss the pay offer presented by the National Employers which was published on 25 April 2024. As a member-led, independent trade union, the FRSA welcome the views from our members on the offer, the details of which can be found on our website. You can also submit your views via email to FRSA HQ. If you haven't already, you can download the FRSA App from the Apple or Google store and fully interact with fellow members and local and national officials. You will have exclusive access to a library of resources, engage in private and secure forums, direct messaging service plus regular local and national updates, all as part of your membership of the FRSA. If you would like to contact the Podcast you can do so via prioritymessage@frsa.org.uk we would welcome your feedback and suggested content for future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.