North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue awarded champion status

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has become the first emergency service to become a Driving for Better Business champion.

It believes that its success in becoming the first blue light organisation to achieve business champion status will lead to an increased focus by other fire and rescue services on managing occupational road risk.

“It is very pleasing to be the first fire and rescue service to become a business champion,” said Chris Anderson, deputy chief fire officer.

“The scheme is an excellent way of promoting not only the importance of road safety to businesses and the public sector but also highlights the operating efficiencies to be gained as a consequence of implementing the good practice measures identified through the process.”

As part of its accident prevention work, the service plays an active role in the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership, which is a partnership of local authorities, emergency services and other North Yorkshire agencies working together to educate, inform and train, with the aim of lowering the number of road casualties across North Yorkshire.

Dave McCabe, group manager for York and Selby North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We can advise employers on occupational road risk management but we can also talk directly to staff about road safety and the hazards of modern driving.”

McCabe, who was instrumental in the service becoming a Driving for Better Business champion, said: “Becoming the first fire and rescue service to join the campaign shows we have in place a highly effective road safety strategy which other services and employers can follow.”