The provision of Lone Worker Solution and Related Services

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) currently employ approximately 65 staff who regularly or occasionally work alone, and who may be at risk of physical/verbal abuse, accidents, illness or injury. Lone worker equipment is currently supplied to staff, as a means of enabling staff members to quickly raise an alarm if required.

When alarms are raised, they are monitored by an alarm receiving centre (ARC) which is staffed 24/7/365. They will initiate the escalation process.

It is imperative that issues are resolved within the formally agreed timescales. The need for lone worker equipment is determined by the Head of Service responsible for health and safety, via the risk assessment process.

The supply of equipment is managed through the Health and Safety Team with individual team managers monitoring usage and managing the escalation contacts for their teams. The range of equipment currently in use is either a stand-alone device or a mobile phone app.

The current requirement for approximately 65 users, with the flexibility to increase provision up to 85 users during the Contract Period, subject to orders being placed as and when required. RBFRS has a requirement for the provision of a third party 24/7/365 monitored lone worker solution which could be either a mobile phone application, a stand-alone device, or a combination of the two, that allow alarms to be raised either discreetly or overtly and appropriate intervention and/or escalation to be made as required, in order to minimise any risks that working alone involves.

The solution should be discrete, reliable and robust, simple and intuitive to use with minimum training. A range of devices are needed to allow staff to select their preferred choice, based on their role and type of lone working activities.