PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Providing Professional Advice Office of the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Performance Improvement Network 7 th December 2008

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Communities and Local Government It’s role in relation to Fire & Rescue Service Sets statutory framework for work of Fire and Rescue Service in England Allocates financial resources through the Revenue Support Grant Sets out Government’s expectations of FRS in National Framework Makes targeted policy interventions to drive improvement in performance across all aspects of Fire DSO Is directly delivering increased capability and national resilience in FRS through the Fire & Resilience Programme (FiReControl, Firelink and New Dimension)

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE CLG Current Issues Fire Safety Policy – driving down fire deaths particularly amongst the most vulnerable groups through targeted activity by FRSs and our Fire Kills media Campaign. Growing leadership within the service to drive sector-led performance improvement and in particular dramatically improving performance in relation to equality and diversity. Improving quality and availability of Operational Guidance to the Service. Delivering on Phase B of Firelink and completing roll-out of New Dimension.

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE CLG Current Issues FiReControl – experiencing significant challenges Efficiency – recent Audit Commission study suggests that there are significant additional efficiency savings that could be made across the Service. Work is being take forward on how to incentivise FRS improvement in this area. Business continuity planning – ensuring Services are well prepared to continue to provide core services during a major disruptive event (ranging from industrial action to swine flu) Fire Service College – ensuring the success of this CLG Arms Length Body Providing Ministerial Assurance on Fire related matters

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE CFRA Background Post 1947 Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Fire Services Inspection responsibilities Modernisation of the fire & rescue service Local government audit/inspection model Operational Assessment of Service Delivery (OASD)

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Professional government advisers Embedded alongside policy colleagues Independent professional advice

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Role of the Chief Fire & Rescue Adviser Advise ministers and officials on structure, organisation and performance of fire and rescue services. Co-ordination of national assets during catastrophic and major incidents through the CLG Emergency Room and the National Strategic Advisory team. Provide broader challenge and assurance to Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and others. Manage fire safety audit and inspection in Crown Premises. Advise Secretary of State on determinations under Article 36 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Manage the commissioning, quality assurance and production of Operational Guidance. Publication and maintenance of the Operational Assessment toolkit Provide independent professional advice during HSE/Police investigations and enquiries. Seek to ensure the Government is able to engage influentially in debate on FRS issues and that the Service’s interests are effectively represented by the Government.

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE A day in the life of a Fire & Rescue Adviser Learning and development procedures for National Coordination & Advisory Framework – dealing with incidents with national impacts Advise and liaison during international search and rescue deployment Cross government meetings regarding a wide range of subjects e.g. UK aid to foreign nationals, protection of the CNI, Olympic security, Fire Control Commenting and advising on policy development Cross government exercise Cumbrian floods

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE A well prepared Fire & Rescue Service

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE New York September 11 th 2001 The UK Government requested Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services to assess the capability of the Fire & Rescue Service to respond to the “new dimension” of terrorism following the events of the 11th of September 2001.

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE London - July 7 th 2005 At 08:50, three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three underground trains, a fourth exploding an hour later on a bus in Tavistock Square. Fifty Six people were killed, including the bombers and 700 were injured. PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Oil Depot Fire - Buncefield Sunday 11th December 2005

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE National Co-ordination and Advisory Framework

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

National Support and Advice Gold Command Silver Command Bronze Command CLG Emergency Room Ministers Briefing Room COBR Strategic Holding Areas FRSNCC National Asset Mobilising Control Local District Mobilising Control Incident CommandNational Support and Advice

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Key Stakeholder Engagement Provide a professional “bridge” between CLG and key FRS stakeholders e.g. Local Government Association Chief Fire Officers’ Association Trades Unions Fire protection industry Fire product industry External stakeholders (including): Health and Safety Executive Audit Commission Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary

PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Providing Professional Advice Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser