Continuity in Crisis: Sharing Lessons from a Care Home Fire

We were proud to see our Regional Manager, Rachael Taverner, invited as a guest speaker at the “Continuity in Crisis: Lessons from a Care Home Fire” event on Monday 22nd September 2025. The conference brought together local care home managers, representatives of Lancashire City Council, care professionals, safety experts, and emergency planners from across the sector to share real-world experiences of crisis management and to strengthen collective learning across the industry.

Rachael was invited to discuss our team’s response to a recent fire incident at one of our homes, offering valuable insight into how effective procedures, teamwork, and calm leadership ensured the safety and wellbeing of residents and staff throughout.
The fire originated in a confined technical space, following an issue involving an isolation switch which resulted in damage to the fire alarm system. Despite this challenging situation, our team responded with remarkable composure and professionalism from the very moment the alarm sounded.

Rachael shared how staff immediately followed fire and evacuation procedures, acting decisively to safeguard residents while maintaining calm communication throughout the home. With clear roles and responsibilities understood by every team member, the evacuation was carried out smoothly and efficiently — demonstrating the value of regular training, teamwork, and trust in one another.

The discussion also highlighted how the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) played a key role in managing the aftermath of the incident. From coordinating temporary arrangements and ensuring resident comfort, to communicating with families and external agencies, the plan provided a structured framework that helped the team stay focused and supported.
Reflecting on the experience, Rachael shared her thoughts on what went well and where improvements could be made. She praised the swift actions and dedication of the care team, noting that their commitment to resident safety was at the heart of every decision made that day. The incident also offered valuable learning opportunities, particularly around reviewing alarm system resilience, updating procedures, and ensuring that all future safety checks incorporate new technologies and risks.

Speaking at the event, Rachael emphasised the importance of open reflection and shared learning across the sector:

“When incidents like this happen, they test not only our procedures but our people. What stood out most was the way everyone pulled together to protect those in our care. By sharing our experience, we can help others strengthen their preparedness and confidence in managing the unexpected.”

The Lancashire City Council were complimentary regarding the way the situation was handled by Rachael and the team commenting:

“If they could describe their access and staff actions on the day to assist their ability to combat the fire they couldn’t think of another word other than outstanding, they would have used it”

We are incredibly proud of Rachael for representing our organisation and for championing a culture of learning, safety, and collaboration.
Her contribution at the event reflected the core values that drive us every day — putting people first, learning from experience, and always striving to do better.

At We Care Group, safety and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do. We continuously review our procedures, training, and emergency planning to ensure our homes remain safe, supportive environments for residents and staff alike.