Memorandum by Oxfordshire Fire Authority
(FRS 38)
Oxfordshire (County Council) Fire Authority
welcomes the opportunity to comment on this Select Committee.
To minimise bureaucracy and allow the committee to identify issues
that are of primary concern to the authority the following bullet
point format has been chosen. This is supported by a more detailed
appendix which covers the FiReControl and Firelink projects.
— We support the introduction of a
statutory requirement to incorporate "life-safety sprinklers"
as an active fire protection measure in key buildings, particularly
new builds and substantial alterations. (eg: Schools, places of
public assembly and Houses in Multiple Occupation)
— In addition to the introduction of
legislation, we support a regulatory requirement to provide "life-safety
sprinklers" in domestic dwellings, on a risk-assessed basis.
Protecting those assessed, as "vulnerable" will reduce
fire fatalities and injuries and contributes to the wider social
inclusion agenda.
— Central Government should provide
a statutory basis for developing strategic partnerships with relevant
public authorities to address common themes and mutual objectives
across the community safety/public health agenda.
— This Authority has a number of concerns
in respect of the FiReControl and FireLink project that remain
to be resolved, including:
— The robustness of the business case
and impact on our local "value for money" priority;
— Its contribution to increased resilience;
— The ongoing funding arrangements
and local impact of revenue costs, once established;
— The structure of governance for the
Control Centre;
— The impact of "out of scope"
issues on our existing capacity;
— Legal liabilities, accountabilities
and implications for this Authority;
— Consideration for extending the scope
of the FireLink project;
Detailed commentary on this position is attached
as Appendix "A".
— We believe that there are a number
of institutional issues require urgent review. Issues include
the reform of the National Join Council and its negotiating "machinery",
and the future structure, governance and funding of the Fire and
Rescue Service.
— We consider that there is a need
to provide representative arrangements for "middle managers"
and secure their ability to influence and contribute to the strategic
vision and direction of the Service.
— This Authority will actively promote
access to and diversity within the Service whilst recognising
the need to maintain operational command competences in support
of an effective Incident Command Structure.
— We believe that Central Government
should provide a coherent, long term "vision" for the
provision of the UK's Fire and Rescue Services. The vision should
be supported by clarity in respect of future funding and governance
arrangements.
— More specific direction should be
provided in respect of the Service's emergency response provision
(incorporating planning and preparedness) include:
— Resilience arrangements for local,
regional and national response;
— Operational assurance arrangements;
— Competence (including command and
specialist skills/knowledge);
— National/Local Response Standards;
— Implications of the "Emergencies
for Fire and Rescue Authorities Order";
— The future of Fire and Rescue Comprehensive
Performance Assessment needs to be determined. Specifically, arrangements
for auditing the effectiveness and governance arrangements of
Fire Authorities that are County Councils should recognise those
features relevant to that structure.
— This Authority believes that central
funding arrangements should be reintroduced for the Fire Service
College. Additionally, the leadership and management of the College
should return to uniformed officers who are best placed to maximise
the facilities as a centre of excellence for Incident Command
and specialist Fire and Rescue Technical training.
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