Page 17 - WMPF Federation April-May2021_Neat

Supporting members

Welfare van:

Federation and Force

in joint initiative

The inside of another Federation branch’s welfare van.
fficers could soon have access to toilet, somewhere to take refreshments, a forward a proposal for the new vehicle at a
welfare facilities when they are place to wash their hands or simply branch meeting earlier this year.
Odeployed to major incidents and somewhere to sit and have a drink and He told colleagues: “I have carried out a
events or while preserving scenes. something to eat. survey over the past 12 months of scenes
West Midlands Police Federation, in a “By investing in a welfare van, which can covered by officers and the average period is
joint initiative with the Force, is providing a be used in a variety of circumstances, the between three and four days. This average
welfare van which will be fitted out so that it Federation is clearly investing in officers’ multiplied by two officers over three shifts
provides a warm and dry place to take a wellbeing. I believe this initiative will make a means between 18 and 24 officers attend
break and somewhere to make a hot drink or real difference to officers’ lives.” the average scene going without basic
light refreshments. The van will have a Welfare vans are designed to have a facilities. Of course, this is further magnified
seating area and toilet facilities. small kitchenette with hot and cold water by the current situation where we are in the
“Members are regularly telling us that taps along with a microwave, fridge and middle of a global pandemic.”
one of the biggest issues for officers at water heater. There is a separate toilet with The Force will buy the new van, which
scenes is the lack of basic welfare facilities,” a wash basin, as well as a drying area for wet will become part of its fleet and West
says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police clothes and storage. The vehicle has a Midlands Police Federation will pay for it to
Federation. canopy which opens out from the side to be converted in a welfare vehicle. The Force
“There are just far too many occasions provide shelter and shade from the weather. will then be responsible for ongoing costs
when officers are deployed and then left in West Midlands Police Federation other than any refreshments which will also
situations where they have no access to a workplace representative Sid James had put be paid for by the Federation branch.

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