Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) ordered top-to-toe structural firefighting kit for 670 firefighters working out of 38 stations across the county, working to a go-live date of 25 October. Purchased through the UK Collaborative Framework, the new PPE was delivered by MSA Bristol on time and to budget, despite the continuing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Run by Kent FRS, the Collaborative Framework gives UK FRSs access to high quality PPE ensembles and volume discounts through a streamlined procurement process. FRSs can sign up via a purchase-only or fully managed service contract to procure PPE that has been independently evaluated and tested, saving considerable time and costs. North Yorkshire FRS have opted for an eight-year fully managed services contract.