Fire, police and ambulance chiefs all spoke of the importance of joined up working  at the launch of the Centre for Research in Emergency Services and Training in Liverpool last week [Feb 15].

CREST will bring together the latest research from across the Services in the North West to provide a consistent service incorporating not just police, fire and ambulance but also coastguard, air-sea and mountain rescue.

The centre is based at Liverpool Hope University and CREST Director Dr Paresh Wankhade said: "CREST will be a unique institution in the North West of England for blue light services.

"We hope that be providing a platform for interaction and sharing of ideas for the emergency services, we can build on an already fantastic service.

Greater Manchester CFO Steve McGuirk was representing the Fire and Rescue Service and said: "The emergency services face a raft of challenges, be that the threat of terrorism, limits to finances or climate change, and we stand the best chance of success if we all work together.

"CREST is a fantastic opportunity for us and will provide the emergency services with a space to think and innovate both individually and collaboratively. It is wonderful that we have this resource in the North West to enable us to take the initiative for our community."

Chief Constable Jon Murphy from Merseyside Police and Paul Kudray, Director of Resilience for the North West Ambulance Service joined CFO McGuirk in praising the potential benefits of CREST - for more on the Police and Ambulance Service's views visit www.policingtoday.co.uk and www.ambulancenews.com 

For more information visit http://crest.hope.ac.uk
Posted 20/02/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com