1. Association of Principal Fire Officers

2. What is APFO?
Certified as a Trade Union under T.U.L.R. (consolidation) Act 1992
Staff Association
(rather than Professional/Technical)
Boundaries between two – good example is pensions
Support to you as an employee

3. Objectives
to represent and promote the interests of members in conditions of service, legal and employment matters.
to negotiate and promote the settlement of disputes involving members.
to provide assistance to members and their dependents in exceptional circumstances.
to provide support to members in matters concerning employment or work related injury.
75% of all Fire and Rescue Services in last two years

4. National Structure
4 national officials

5. National Officers Chairman* – Des Prichard Secretary* – Chris Griffin
Assistant Secretary* – John Bonney
Vice Chair & Honorary Treasurer* - Paul Fuller
General Manager – Rhonda Bedford
Paid Official Advisor* – Trevor Newton
Supported by Lead Officers
* Pay Negotiating Team
Lead officers on;
Pensions
IPDS
Health and Safety
Tax

6. Regional Structure Chairs Secretaries Function
Support and Information Sharing
Information dissemination from Secretaries
Case Officers
Information around pay and conditions.

7. Types of Membership Ordinary – subscription £34 per month
Associate – subscription £21 per month
Big debate at doing away with distinction
As of 03/05/2007 APFO membership stands at:
178 ordinary members
22 associate members
298 lifetime past members

8. What does APFO do? 1 Constitutional 2 Case Work 3 Lobbying
Pay Negotiations - NJC
Pensions Sub Committee
2 Case Work
Advocacy
Advice to Members
Legal Advice/Representation/Mediation
3 Lobbying
“Position Statements”
Policy Influence - Consultee
Member of Practitioners’ Forum
Bi Annual Meetings with the Fire Minister
4 Member Services
Financial
Healthcare
Training
Retired Member Network
3 Pensions – exclusion above Station Manager
Health and Safety – issues of capability - work with CFOA

9. Current Issues Tenure of Principal Officers Widening the Membership
Grievance and Discipline Procedures
Widening the Membership
Levels of Membership
Civil Resilience – national asset?
Assessment, Selection and Development of Brigade Managers
Pensions for Brigade Managers
Gold Book
More local discretion
National going – rate rise – twin track approach
Assessment and selection of POs, both internal and external

10. Personal Issues Much greater visibility Personal conflicts
conduct under scrutiny
Personal conflicts
perpetrator versus victim
Attacks on reputation
Seek support
Informal Networks

11. Association of Principal Fire Officers