Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has been recognised nationally after winning two awards at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards in London last night.
We picked up Gold for the Community and Customer Focus Award and Silver for the Efficiency and Effectiveness Award.
Colleagues from Prevention and Education (P&E) and Fire Safety/ Protection attended the ceremony to receive the honours.
In addition, they were presented with an iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards Certificate of Excellence in special recognition of the overall quality their transformation work.
Community and Customer Focus Award: Gold
Judges commended the transformation of our prevention model, which places people and communities at the centre of safety work.
Prevention and Education’s redesigned approach enables earlier, more effective intervention and has strengthened cultural competence across teams.
They also highlighted progress in in building deeper regional partnerships, enhancing understanding of diverse communities, and delivering shared outcomes with local stakeholders.
Expanded youth engagement, community responder schemes and targeted outreach for at risk groups were recognised, alongside a strong commitment to continuous learning, insight led targeting and reflective practice to enhance outcomes.
Efficiency and Effectiveness Award: Silver
TWFRS was also recognised for the success of the Unwanted Fire Signals (UwFS) Reduction Project, which has transformed the way the Service tackles a long‑standing issue that previously resulted in more than 44,000 unnecessary mobilisations over the past decade.
Judges praised the shift from a charging‑based model to a strategic, service‑wide approach centred on compliance, education and behaviour change. This included innovative partnership work with local universities to deliver a campaign aimed at reducing false alarms in student accommodation.
The Fire Safety team’s support for businesses in adopting safer alarm management has led to significant demand reduction and strengthened alignment with the Service’s Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).
The project has now embedded into day‑to‑day operations, securing long‑term organisational and operational benefits.
Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath said: “We are incredibly grateful to be recognised and receive national recognition alongside other outstanding fire and rescue services from across the UK.
“These awards reflect the professionalism, innovation and commitment shown by the people and teams across Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service as they continue to deliver community focused, prevention led work.
“These awards belong to everyone involved and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting and keeping the citizens of Tyne and Wear and the business community safe from harm as well as looking out for each other as we continue to improve and adapt.
“We are delighted with this recognition as we continue to push for excellence across the sector.
“We are an organisation that exists to serve the public and communities we work within and the support and scrutiny we receive from our Fire Authority ensure we can thrive and be held to account by the public.”
iESE Certificate of Excellence
TWFRS was also presented with an iESE Certificate of Excellence, awarded in special recognition of the overall quality of transformation work considered during the shortlisting process for Fire and Rescue Service of the Year.
This acknowledgement reflects the breadth of progress being delivered across the organisation.
Well done to all colleagues involved in the projects recognised, and to everyone across the Service whose work contributes to these achievements.