Skyguard’s MySOS personal safety device protects Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s front line Fire Prevention Practitioners

With 24 hour monitoring and single button alarm activation, Skyguard’s MySOS enables lone workers to quickly call for help

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have chosen to protect their front line Fire Prevention Practitioners by equipping them with Skyguard’s MySOS personal safety device. With 24 hour monitoring and single button alarm activation, the device enables the Fire Service’s lone workers to quickly call for help in the event of an incident or emergency.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service provide emergency response across the county of Suffolk in East Anglia. With 35 fire stations, their service answers to around 8,000 emergency calls per year, of which over 740 are serious fires. Aside from attending serious incidents, they also offer fire safety prevention education and advice.

This proactive education is delivered by a dedicated team of Fire Prevention Practitioners, which involves officers attending people’s homes whilst carrying out ‘safer home’ visits. These can include elderly and vulnerable clients, those with mental health issues and various forms of dependencies. These factors can make home visits particularly challenging and can occasionally lead to abusive or threatening behaviour.

Station Commander and Prevention Delivery Manager, Jon Southgate, approached Skyguard after a serious incident highlighted the inefficiencies of their incumbent lone worker protection provider. Jon explains, “We introduced Skyguard’s MySOS personal alarm as a safeguard due to an event which would have benefitted hugely from having their device as backup.”

"We introduced Skyguard’s MySOS personal alarm as a safeguard due to an event which would have benefitted hugely from having their device as backup"

“Our team didn’t like the previous system they were using, as they felt it was too labour intensive and not timely enough in the event of an emergency.”

“The MySOS device offers us greater peace of mind. It’s discreet, yet a far more robust means of lone worker safety. The back up from the call monitoring centre in the event of an alarm activation is invaluable.”

The MySOS – Europe’s smallest personal safety device, features GPS technology and two-way voice communications. At the press of a button, users can call for help via Skyguard’s 24 hour manned Incident Management Centre (IMC). Professionally trained Controllers are always on hand to communicate with the user, whilst promptly directing the appropriate response to their exact location. With other features such as Voice Memo (Amber Alert), Speed Dial and 'Mandown' fall detector, there's no more complete device available in the marketplace today.

Skyguard’s service is fully audited and approved against BS 8484:2011, which enables incidents to be escalated to the highest level of Police response, even bypassing the 999 emergency system. Skyguard has also been awarded the Association of Chief Police Officer’s ‘Secured by Design’ status for both the MySOS device and their IMC.

Skyguard’s Marketing Director, Will Murray said, “Suffolk Fire and Rescue join an ever growing list of emergency services that are using Skyguard to help protect their lone workers. With several fire brigades, 70 NHS trusts and over half the UK’s police forces, who issue our devices to domestic violence victims, it’s a testament of how highly regarded Skyguard is amongst leading professional bodies.”