Cumbrian emergency services unite to celebrate their control room heroes

The international awareness week, which took place between Monday, October 24 and Sunday, Ocotber 30 encouraged control rooms all over the world to come together and celebrate the achievements of their colleagues. 

In Cumbria, Police, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue services have also united to recognise this incredible profession. 

Carl Patrick, chief superintendent commander ops command at Cumbria Police, emphasised the importance of these control room workers, who are the first point of contacts for almost 250,000 people in need every year.

"When our officers pick up a call, they do not know what is happening on the other end of the line. They have to quickly and calmly assess the situation, provide advice, and get people the help they need," Mr Patrick said. 

“Our staff play a key role in supporting colleagues across the Constabulary my managing incidents 24/7.

“They do this over and over again."

Chief superintendent Patrick also extended his sincere gratitude to the Cumbria Police control room workers and praised their unwaivering commitment to aiding Cumbrian people.

"I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our officers and staff for their hard work and dedication within our command and control room," he said. 

Chief fire officer John Beard at Cumbria Fire and Rescue also echoed Mr Patrick's commendations as he highlighted the work done by the Fire Control that keeps the Cumbrian public and firefighters safe.

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"Fire Control are the people you will speak to if you call 999 – they direct the right resources to an incident, help to keep our crews safe and are a key part to resolving an incident.

"They really are our unsung heroes and work together to play a critical role in the safety and wellbeing of our communities and our operational crews.”

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) also praised it's control room operators as part of the International awareness week.

NWAS operates a number of control rooms, like it's Support centre which ensures that local NHS services can run as effieciently as possible and alleviates pressure from emergency control rooms by taking non-emergency calls.

Stuart Nugent is just one North West Ambulance Service control operator that was celebrated as part of International Control Room Week (Image: North West Ambulance Service)

Support centre advisor Stuart Nugent has worked in control rooms for six years and gave an insight into his role.

"Due to the wide scope of practice in what we do, no two days are the same and you never know what you’re going to be dealing with next," he said. 

"I find the safeguarding part of the role very fulfilling, knowing that the work you are doing will help a vulnerable person get the support they need."

NWAS also operates emergency operations centres (EOC) which take 999 calls and dispatch ambulances to Cumbrians in need. 

Strategic head of emergency operation centres/consultant paramedic Luke Marriner also explored what this role entails and highlighted the importance of the International Control Room Week.

He said: “An emergency service control room is a unique place to work. It is constantly challenging and never stops, and it takes a special kind of person to work in it. Someone resilient and empathetic, who can think on their feet and take control of what can be very distressing and challenging situations.

“International Control Room week provides the opportunity to recognise and publicly thank our teams who do an amazing job supporting our communities. Thank you.”

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