1 Introduction
1. This report examines the Government's proposals
set out in its White Paper, 'Our Fire and Rescue Service', published
in June 2003.[1] There
have been many reviews of the Fire Service, as outlined in Table
One. This report does not therefore seek to re-examine
issues which have already been well documented. It focuses on
examining the merits of the proposals outlined in the White Paper,
and how they can be achieved.
2. The Committee announced its inquiry on 17 July
2003, calling for submissions of evidence on the following issues
in particular:
- A move towards preventative
working;
- The introduction of a new approach to risk assessment;
- Institutional reform;
- Changes to management; and
- Promoting diversity within the Fire Service.
Over 60 written submissions were made to the inquiry.[2]
In 5 evidence sessions the Committee took oral evidence from 22
sets of witnesses including; Chief Fire Officers, Members of Fire
Authorities, the Retained Firefighters' Union (RFU), the Association
of Principal Fire Officers (APFO), the Fire Officers' Association
(FOA), the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association
(CACFOA), the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU), the Local Government
Association (LGA), the Fire Service College, HM Fire Service Inspectorate,
the Audit Commission, Sir George Bain, and the Minister responsible
for the Fire Service, Nick Raynsford. At the start of the inquiry
the Committee appointed two specialist advisors, Jeremy Beech
and Tony Taig; we thank them for all their advice and assistance.
1 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning,
Local Government and the Regions, Our Fire and Rescue Service,
Cm 5808, June 2003 Back
2
Written evidence received by the publication date was published
on 20 October 2003 as HC 1168-II: Subsequent evidence is published
with the transcripts of oral evidence in HC47-II Back
|
