The National Fire Chiefs Council DDaT Awards celebrate outstanding digital, data and technology work across fire and rescue services, recognising teams and individuals who are using technology to deliver real improvements in how fire services operate.
The awards were presented on Thursday 18th June at the annual DDaT Conference.
The Excellence in Digital Award is given to digital transformation work that makes a tangible difference to the functioning of a fire and rescue service, particularly where it addresses challenges common across the sector or could be adapted by other services.
The ePPE Logbook was nominated for doing exactly that — replacing a paper‑based process with a single, consistent digital solution that provides easy access from multiple devices, improves visibility, assurance and day‑to‑day management of PPE across the Service.
The approach taken is something other fire and rescue services could replicate in their own organisations.
The system was shaped through close collaboration between our ICT and Operational Assets teams, with input from colleagues across the Service, helping to make it a practical solution which reflected real operational workflows, without adding unnecessary administrative burden.
Supporting elements, including reporting and dashboards were developed by our Performance team to complement the solution.
The take-up rate amongst colleagues has been strong and has resulted in improved PPE management which in turn will improve safety for firefighters.
Head of ICT, Tony Oliver said:
“It is brilliant to see our teams recognised for the vital work they do to improve our Service.
“The EPPE logbook is a digital application designed to support frontline firefighters effectively manage their protective kit , helping to keep them safe from contaminants.
“All those involved with the development and implementation of this practical solution to the previous paper-based alternative, should be extremely proud of what they have delivered.
“Our ICT and Operational Assets teams thoroughly deserve this award for this piece of work which has the potential to benefit other UK fire services and is just one of a number of digital initiatives being delivered across the Service.“
In addition, both our ICT and Performance teams were also nominated for the Team of the Year award and Marion Penn for Outstanding Practitioner, recognising their wider contribution to digital, data and technology across the Service over the past year.
Together, this recognition reflects the continued progress being made in how HIWFRS uses digital, data and technology to support operational effectiveness, safety and organisational improvement.
