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A shared vision towards 2017 |
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The Local Government Association released its report on the challenges and opportunities facing the Fire and Rescue Service in the next 10 years at its annual fire conference on March 13 (see pg 14 for full report). Produced in association with the Chief Fire Officers’ Association and Communities and Local Government, Fire and Rescue: A Shared Vision Towards 2017 will require, it maintains, concerted action from all parties to deliver the vision.
Cllr Les Byrom, Chair of the LGA Fire Services Management Committee, told delegates at the conference that the document was essential if fire and rescue authorities are to continue to provide an excellent service. “The Fire Service, like any top performing organisation has to continue to evolve, adapt and prepare if it is to successfully respond to an ever changing world and ever changing public expectations…. By working together, the Fire Service, central and local government can provide a modern, economical service that prevents fires and saves lives.” The vision outlined in the document:
• Recognises the importance of the Fire and Rescue Service operating in a way that helps protect and sustain the environment;
• Emphasises the importance of the leadership of both members and senior managers;
• Strengthens the commitment to equality and diversity; and
• Acknowledges that different activities are best undertaken at different levels, and that there is a need for a stronger capacity for national and regional coordination outside that which can be provided by central government. The report states that the LGA, CFOA and CLG want to see:
• Fire and rescue authorities and services which are community focused, integrated, co-ordinated and working in co-operation with other local government decisionmakers and services, and responsive to the needs of the whole community;• Fire and rescue services working seamlessly with other emergency services, other partners and the community to minimise risk and drive down death and injury, damage to property and harm to the environment caused by fire and other emergencies;
• High performing, efficient and effective fire and rescue services which are delivering excellent value for money for their communities;
• Equality and diversity at the heart of Fire and Rescue Service culture, with elected members and staff reflecting the communities they serve, and where people from diverse backgrounds can achieve the highest positions within the Service;
• Effective and vigorous local democracy with locally owned and delivered fire and rescue services accountable to their communities through their local councillors;
• Fire and rescue services which are operationally flexible, safety focused and capable of meeting all future challenges;
• A stronger national fire and rescue capability outside central government and effective cooperation between fire and rescue authorities to co-ordinate, manage and deliver functions on a local, regional or national basis, whichever is the most effective and efficient;
• Resources matched to risk through rigorous Integrated Risk Management Planning, ensuring the right balance between prevention, protection and response;
• Multi-skilled workforces led by transformational leaders and supported by a leadership and development structure that grows highly capable leaders and managers;
• Constructive industrial relations where everyone in the Fire and Rescue Service is committed to working together to deliver this vision;
• Fire and rescue services conducting all their activities in an environmentally sustainable way.For a copy of the report visit: www.lga.gov.uk
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