The National Directorate’s Role in Developing Fire and Emergency Management in Ireland CFOA Annual Conference th May Sean Hogan

Introduction to Presentation Background Development Context Development Approach Draft National Development Framework Conclusion

Fire Service Background Reviews – 1945, 1975 & 2002 Training – Phoenix Park, FSC… FS Legislation – 1940, 1981, 2003…. Major fires – Bantry, Bundoran, Stardust…. Fire Safety Guides & Building Control… Capital – Stations, Appls, Equipment, ICT FSCP 2005 – 2007 Safety, Health and Welfare issues…..

Emergency Management Background Cluster of emergencies in early 1980s… Framework 9/ Review of Framework in 2005 MEDP 2006 – 2008 Near misses – Malahide rail and aircraft Severe Weather - Nov, Dec, Jan National level and international/ EU Civil Prot

Developmental Context Legal/ political/ administrative/ technical Pressures for change – Local Government ERG Resources & other constraints Fire Service as Local Auth service Central/ Local relationship Experience Leadership Public Safety……

The National Directorate Decision intended to address conclusively the national level aspect….. Announced 22 June 2009 Three elements of structure –Management Board –Consultative Committee –National Director in D/EHLG Four Business Units – Adm, Ops, Safety, EM First use of “Lead Government Dept” model

Development Approach Build on recent experiences/ reflection… National stds, processes & targets Evidence/ Literature informed… Collaborative between central and local…. Priorities … Appropriate support … Reporting and reviewing

Draft National Development Framework 2010 – 2013 Blueprint for period ahead Work in progress, with Management Board Four Headings –What services do for society? –National Standards and Processes –Developing our people –National Targets, quality assurance and review

What Fire Services do for Society? “Basket of Services” –Operational Roles hugely expanded –MEM now a significant and important area –Fire Safety now includes CFS, B Regs, FSA, etc Are these appropriate/ sustainable? Legislation Questions Objective

National Processes and Standards National processes - doing things the right way, consistently? Key role of ND is developing and promulgating National Processes and Standards for relevant areas Current Situation Main gaps & requirements Development, approval and promulgation process

Developing Our Staff Background Approach to Officer development and service leadership “Attributes”“Qualifications”“Competency”….. “Officer Development Programmes”? Competency/ FETAC approach to knowledge and skills of fire-fighters Inclusive approach to promotion

National Targets, Quality Assurance and Review/ Reporting Setting national targets for local achievement Existing QA situation Fitting appropriate systems at different levels Review and Reporting

Local Application of National Framework? RBA process – revised format S26 Plans? Fire Authority - Annual Service Development Plan? Changes involved in implementing national processes, using national standards, meeting national targets ….. Changes involved in re-balancing deployment of resources…. Change management…..

Pointers of Success? Structural model that engages all appropriately…. Responsive to needs…. Judgement on issues….. Energy and Leadership…. Innovative and challenging…. Partnerships – collaboration and co-ordination… Communication…. Demonstrable impact/ improvements/ results….

Conclusion Development process continuous, challenging, built from experiences… Judgement as to how to get optimum safety impact out of resources available at any time….. Demonstrating the impact of services and expenditure…. Shared objective of a safer, caring society …