South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has launched their new Prevention and Protection Department, replacing the previous department name of Risk Reduction.
This change will help strengthen the Service’s focus on aligning resources to risk, using intelligence and insight to target activity where it can have the greatest impact.
As part of this transition, Community Safety and Partnerships will become Prevention, and Business Fire Safety will become Protection.
This brings the Service’s terminology, purpose and operating model into closer alignment with national fire sector guidance and the language used across the UK fire and rescue sector.
This change is important for SWFRS and for the communities they serve. It forms part of the Service’s wider Improvement Plan and will support a better use of reliable data, local insight and risk information, so that prevention and protection activity can focus on the people, places, businesses and communities where the need and risk are greatest.
SWFRS has introduced new governance arrangements to provide clearer oversight, stronger decision making and better alignment between Prevention and Protection teams. This will support a more consistent approach to reducing risk across built, business, community and rural environments, while strengthening how the Service identify and support those most at risk, including people who may be more vulnerable to fire or other harm, violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, or safeguarding concerns.
You’ll notice changes to SWFRS branding on resources and materials and if you spot them on socials, please share them so our communities can familiarise themselves with the change.
AM Mark Havell said: “This is a positive step forward for SWFRS. I would like to personally thank everyone in the Prevention and Protection team for their engagement, feedback and professionalism in helping to make this change happen.
“Improvement is always a team endeavour, and that collective commitment is at the heart of these changes. Our shared commitment to preventing harm and protecting the public has not changed; this new department strengthens how we deliver that commitment through effective engagement, intelligence-led activity, clear governance and proportionate regulatory work.
“Thank you for your continued support as we take this next step in keeping the people, places and businesses of South Wales safe.”
