Hampshire, United KIngdom – Churches Fire Security Ltd, a leading provider of fire safety and security solutions, is proud to announce the implementation of Callmy Alert, a cutting-edge lone worker safety solution, for the protection of its staff working in isolation across various sites in the UK.
The new partnership with Callmy, a trusted provider emergency communication services, underscores Churches Fire Security’s ongoing commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of its employees, particularly those working alone in potentially hazardous environments.
Enhancing Lone Worker Security
As part of their continuous efforts to ensure a secure working environment, Churches Fire Security have integrated Callmy Alert with their 24×7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) to provide real-time monitoring and comprehensive support for staff members whilst working alone – the ARC providing immediate assistance should an emergency arise.
Callmy Alert’s innovative system offers automated either an app-based capability or a physical device that provide users with timed check-
Birmingham City University Implements Callmy Alert Mass Notification Service, Elevating Campus Safety
Birmingham, UK – October 5, 2024 – Birmingham City University (BCU) is pleased to announce they are implementating the Callmy Alert Mass Notification service, enhancing the safety and communication infrastructure across its campuses and paving the way for compliance with the new “Martyn’s Law” legislation.
This strategic decision was made after a thorough completive analysis was made with similar products used in the sector. Callmy Alert being selected as the most favourable solution both operationally and commercially, offering a superior emergency management and communication solution for students, staff, and visitors.
The Callmy Alert system is renowned for its robust, reliable, and user-friendly mass notification capabilities, with features that also support personal safety and lone working security. It ensures that critical information is disseminated swiftly and effectively during emergencies, such as security incidents, severe weather conditions, or other urgent situations.
The implementation aligns with BCU’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment, leveraging cutting-edge
Callmy are pleased to announce they have been rewarded the BS8484 standard, after independent auditing by SSAIB. This award updates Callmy to the latest standard for lone working apps and devices; BS8484:2022.
Why is BS8484 Important
The UK government takes the safety of lone workers very seriously and requires employers to provide their lone workers with ‘adequate and reliable means of communication and a way to “call for help” (in the words of the Health and Safety Executive).
These provisions, as well as a growth in people working as lone workers, has led to an increase in lone worker protection solutions appearing on the market. BS 8484 matters because it sets a high standard of quality for lone worker solution providers to meet, and also gives customers better transparency about what they’re buying into.
What is the difference between BS8484:2016 and BS8484:2022?
In 2022, the The British Standards Institution updated BS8484 to reflect changing technologies and norms, and to improve safety. The sum-up of changes brought in BS 8484:2022 are:
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An acknowledgement that those working in pairs or small groups may be seen as “at risk” and so may benefit from the use of a lone worker system.
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An acknowledgement that those working from home (home workers) should be seen as “lone workers” and could benefit from using a lone working system
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New wording that accepts that calls with lone workers may be made via data, rather than the “traditional” call network.
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A new ruling that states, to be BS 8484 compliant, staff involved in delivering lone working services (typically ARC workers) are to be screened in accordance with BS 7858 (which is the UK standard for vetting of people employed in the security sector)
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The removal of most of the recommendations in Clause 7 (the section on Alarm Receiving Centres), as this is covered in other places (such as BS 5979).
Supplier capability and stability
Callmy are supporting their integration partner, Todd Research, at this year’s Education Estates Exhibition and Conference.
The event will provide the opportunity to discuss communication solutions that are vital for the Education Sector and support:
- The new Protect Duty
- Lockdown and evacuation requirements
- Fire notifications and other critical incidents
- Lone working security
- Personal safety and student welfare
Todd Research will also be demonstrating their latest range of postal X-Ray scanning and threat detection equipment, with Callmy Alert integration.
We’re looking forward to meeting you on stand 502 – the event takes place on the 18-19 October at Manchester Central. Please Click Here To Register.
If you are unable to attend but would like more details on our capabilities, please contact us.
Callmy recently supported their partner, Kings Secure Technologies, at an event which introduced their customers to the benefits of cloud based security solutions.
Callmy presented solutions for lone working security and mass notification – these are both essential to help organisations comply with Health & Safety legislation, the new Protect Duty and the BS22301 standard – BusinessContinuity Management.
The audience heard how Callmy’s cloud based technology can be deployed securely and managed at scale, with the added benefit of a 24×7 monitoring being provided by Kings – the end-to-end capability is also BS8484:2022 certified.
The Callmy Kings partnership is now delivering benefits to organisations in Government, Education, the NHS and commercial sectors.
Watch this short video to see how Belvoir Estates are using their Callmy Alert service to protect thier staff whilst they are lone working, and to also comply with Health and Safety legislation.
Technology creates many shortcuts in our day to day lives, making things more enjoyable and work more efficient; however, in times of crisis the right tech to deploy for a rapid response becomes imperative. For the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps), a charity that deploys trained volunteers during emergencies, there was a need to move away from an inefficient patchwork of calls, WhatsApp and text messages to a more effective and efficient solution, and so it adopted a UK innovation called Callmy Alert.
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry is a charity of 150 professionally trained female volunteers, who need to deploy quickly to staff operations rooms and incident lines in the event of a crisis. It is a crucial cog in the resilience measures of the capital’s civil and military authorities – such as the City of London Police, Ministry of Defence, London Coroners and the London Local Authorities’ Panel.
Callmy is pleased to announce it has been awarded the BS8484:2016 standard for its lone working application.
For any service provider it’s important to be able to demonstrate their credentials. Potential customers need to know the standards they can expect and existing customers need to know how they can hold suppliers to account. This is especially true when it comes to protecting people in their everyday working lives and vital for lone worker services.
Setting a new standard
BS8484 is the British Standard for the provision of lone worker services. In 2009, the British Standards Institution (BSI) introduced BS8484 to set a benchmark for those who provide lone worker safety services. To keep pace with developments, particularly in the technology underpinning these services, the BSI reviewed and updated BS8484 in 2016. As a result, the new BS8484:2016 standard was launched, which now acts as a code of practice to providers of lone worker services.
Working with the emergency services
To achieve compliance with the standard, providers must be able to demonstrate to auditors that they meet all requirements. This includes basic issues such as the management structure of their organisation, financial stability, adequate insurance and robust data protection and privacy policies.
Ultimately, the BS8484 review benefited lone workers and their employers, and improved relations between lone worker safety solution providers and the