Can the Centre of Excellence heal ‘knowledge gaps’?
In the first of our special reports on FRS knowledge gaps David Wright examines the implications of the proposed Centre of ExcellenceKnowledge equals power
Dennis Davis looks at how the knowledge gap creates problems within the Fire and Rescue Service, and how this gap can best be bridgedIncident training deficit: a gap or a chasm?
Mike Fordham contends that the importance of operational skills training has decreased along with the operational experience of firefighters, possibly endangering firefighters’ livesCritical knowledge gaps in the Order
Professor Rosemarie Everton assess the status of the Order, and whilst applauding many sound principles within the framework, she specifies critical knowledge gaps that need further considerationNon-strike industrial actionEdward Benson of law firm Browne Jacobson examines the legalities surrounding industrial action short of full scale strikes
In This Section:
“Sceptics may be forgiven for asking what is new about the Centre of Excellence that has not existed before albeit in another form… The demise of the Inspectorate, has in effect led to the loss of focus for the Service, which only the re-emergence of a strong Chief Fire and Rescue Advisors Unit can restore”
David Wright examines the proposals for the Centre of Excellence
“This is the centenary year of FIRE and a time when the FRS has progressed with a tremendous and welcome achievement in the reduction of life loss from fire, whilst becoming properly recognised in its wider emergency service role. We need to ask ourselves: are we effectively using previous experience – so called empirical knowledge – to inform the future of firefighters and their leaders”
Dennis Davis assesses the state of the Service
“Training should be at the very core of any integrated response to risk and it is clearly not. A cynic may well consider that the acceptable price for greater public safety is to expose firefighters to greater risk”
Mike Fordham challenges the Service on firefighter safety
“Perhaps the Order’s most critical need is time, time in which to become firmly established and so able to grow. Will, though, the natural phenomenon which I have so often called ‘the fire tiger’ accommodate this need? Or is his hunger too insatiable for such patience?”Professor Rosemarie Everton scrutinises knowledge gaps in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
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