Your Personal Data

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) is committed to protecting your personal data and privacy. Any personal information you provide us with will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

"Processing" means the collecting, storing, amending, disclosing and destruction of data.

We recognise that ensuring the accuracy and security of your personal data is essential to retaining your confidence and trust. The information you provide to us will only be used for the purposes that you provide it and will never be used for third party marketing.

When we collect your personal data we will normally tell you:

what your information will be used for;
who it may be shared with;
where you have a choice about your data we will ask for your consent.

Please note that in emergency situations we will need to deal with the emergency and so will not be able to tell you about any data handling at the time.

We take our responsibilities under the Data Protection Act extremely seriously and understand how valuable your personal data is.

If you find any of your personal information or images of you on our website and wish to have it removed please contact us at PRO@bedsfire.gov.uk .

Why we collect your personal information

BFRS processes personal information in order to carry out firefighting and the delivery of emergency services which includes: • managing responses to fire; • road traffic collisions; • water rescues; • fire prevention through raising awareness and providing advice and assistance; • fire investigation; • maintaining our own accounts and records including the management of fire service assets and property; support and managing our employees and undertaking research. We also process personal information using CCTV systems to monitor and collect visual images for the purpose of security and the prevention and detection of crime.

Types of personal information

BFRS processes personal information which includes but is not limited to: • personal details – for example: name / age / address / National Insurance number / family details; • lifestyle and social circumstances; • financial details; • incident and accident details; • licenses, certificates held; • what services have been provided; • education and employment details. We also process sensitive personal information that may include: • physical or mental health details; • racial or ethnic origin; • religious or other beliefs; • trade union membership; • lifestyle and social circumstances; • offences and alleged offences.

Sharing information

In order to deliver our services effectively and target those most at risk, BFRS works closely with and share information amongst our Partners and other agencies. These include but are not limited to other emergency services, for example Police / Ambulance Service; hospitals, healthcare and welfare organisations; local and central government; public utilities; courts and law enforcement / prosecuting authorities; insurance companies; Coroner's Office financial organisations for example Cabinet Office's National Fraud Initiative; the press and media.

Health Data Provided To Us

Health data has been produced by the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) and NHS England to help identify over 65s and vulnerable households in order to deliver vital Home Fire Safety Checks and safety referrals (Signposting). NHS England Fair Processing Notice NHS England, the Royal College of General Practitioners and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in England work together to share information (where relevant, proportionate and necessary) to allow Fire Service personnel to undertake home safety assessments for those who would benefit from a visit. The majority of fire deaths in the UK occur amongst the elderly population for older people are most vulnerable to fire and a number of other risks. A home visit from the BFRS is proven to make them safer and can reduce risk significantly. In many areas of the United Kingdom where this work has been embedded for a number of years, there has been a significant reduction in fire deaths and injuries which has developed into a current trend well below the national average. So we know this work can save many lives.

How to have your data removed

Under the GDPR 2016 you are entitled to see the personal information we hold about you (a subject access request) and you may ask us to make any necessary changes to ensure that it is accurate and kept up to date. Please contact us if you wish to correct or update the personal information that you have provided to us; choose to opt out of any communications that you may have agreed to receive; have any comments, or requests relating to the use of your personal information; or have any comments about this privacy statement. You can contact us at contact@bedsfire.com

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