Welfare and retired network

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has an active retired network with over 600 members.

For those who have passed away the Service has a Memorial Garden which acts as a lasting tribute to past and present employees of the Service who have passed away.

If you are a retired member of the service and have any general welfare enquiries please contact the Occupational Health Department on 01785 898798 or 01785 898375 during office hours. Alternatively, The Fire Fighters Charity is also available to all retired personnel and their helpline number is 0800 389 8820, during office hours.

Instructions to next of kin

The instructions to next of kin document was produced following discussions with family members of recently passed away former colleagues and in conjunction with our National Association of Retired Fire Service Personnel (NARF) branch officials.

While it is a subject most of us would probably wish to avoid, some of the discussions referred to above have highlighted the need for all of us to give the matter some thought.

It provides advice and information on some matters that need to considered in order help our loved ones to cope with the difficulties that they may face at a traumatic time when a family member passes away.

Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a national, preventative scheme designed to help make sure that people living with dementia or other care needs who are at risk of going missing and becoming lost can be found and brought home safely. Police forces (and local search and rescue teams and other emergency services) use the Herbert Protocol as a proactive way to help when someone with dementia is reported missing.

It consists of a form that holds important information about a person who is living with dementia including a description of what they look like, a recent photo, any medication they take, important phone numbers, places from their past where they may find comfort and familiarity.

If anyone has any concerns regarding a family member or friend who may be at risk of going missing, a Herbert Protocol form can be created online via Medic Alert which can be updated at any time and printed off if required by using the following link: Herbert Protocol online form

Further information can be found at the Herbert Protocol website.