Memorandum by the Fire Officers' Association
(FOA) (FRS 55)
1. INTRODUCTION
The Fire Officers' Association is a registered
independent trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union
and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The Association
was formed in 1994 for the purpose of providing representation
predominantly for middle ranking officers in the UK Fire &
Rescue service. As such, the Association believes it is ideally
placed to offer this Committee information relevant to its Inquiry
from the perspective of those "middle managers" who
bear the most critical role in the implementation of the modernisation
agenda.
2. REGIONAL CONTROL
CENTRES
Our position when this concept was first proposed
was that we would not oppose it in principle but would need to
be convinced that decisions were made based on sound evidence
and that the outcomes were in the wider public interest with particular
regard to resilience issues. Over the period of time that has
elapsed we have not been convinced by any of the arguments made
in opposition to the project. In recognising the advanced state
of progress and considerable financial investment already committed,
we see little prospect of any argument emerging that would be
sufficiently convincing to support abandonment of the project.
Indeed reported potential advances in technology in areas such
as the European Satellite Navigation project improve our confidence
for a successful outcome.
As a trade union we are however becoming increasingly
concerned by the apparent lack of understanding for the group
of employees who will be tremendously affected by the eventual
implementation of the new arrangements, ie Fire and Rescue Control
Staff. It is totally unfair and unreasonable that anyone should
be left in the position of not knowing what their employment prospects
may, or may not, be. The disruption to individual's lives through
the stress of uncertainty is not acceptable in a modern caring
society, and there needs to be urgent action to address the situation
on an employee by employee basis. Bland generalised statements
such as "redeployment opportunities may exist" are simply
not acceptable. People are entitled to be able to plan their lives
and be reasonably treated by their employers and those elected
to represent their interests.
3. FIRELINK
RADIO SERVICES
FireLink marks a major advance in resolving
one particular national resilience issue. It appears to be a good
example of "joined up" working across the UK administrations
and we have no particular concerns regarding progress of the project.
4. FIRE PREVENTION
We are supportive of proposals to rationalise
Fire Safety Legislation in that they broaden the scope of the
service to achieve and enforce a high standard of safety in premises
to which people resort.
We also support the approach where occupiers
of premises become more responsible for securing an environment
safe from fire. However, we have some reservations in relation
to the concept of "reducing burdens on business" in
that greater emphasis on self regulation. could reduced standards
through misinterpretation or deliberate disregard for relevant
guidance, particularly in lower risk properties not scheduled
for regular inspection. Guidance must emphasise the importance
of fully complying with fire safety regulations and requirements.
They should also accord with all other Health and Safety Statutory
Guidance by having the status of an approved Code of Practice.
It must also be made clear that any material failure to apply
the Guidance or achieve an acceptable equivalent standard of fire
safety will be taken into account during enforcement procedures
by both enforcing Authorities and the Courts.
We also have concerns that the new approach
could become a "consultant's charter" by undermining
and understating the statutory fire safety advisory role of the
fire and rescue service clearly defined by the Holdroyd Royal
Commission. Extending the range of advisory sources may blur existing
lines of primacy by redefining not only established custom and
practice, but also weakening the advisory and enforcement role
of the fire and rescue service.
5. INSTITUTIONAL
ARRANGEMENTS AND
REFORM
This is the one area of modernisation where
we are particularly disappointed. Reform of industrial relations
is just not happening and we are witnessing an increasing number
of localised industrial disputes, some developing into strike
action. Far from reforming industrial relations, the service was
merely tasked with reforming the National Joint Council arrangements
and, to date, it has failed to do even that. The involvement of
ACAS failed to produce a satisfactory solution and over two years
later we are still in the same position. We have discussed the
situation in detail with the Employers who have, to their credit,
improved the situation by affording us recognition for Consultation
purposes, but managers need to see that their contribution is
valued and respected. As things stand at present, that message
is not there.
Consequently our assessment of morale amongst
managers at present is "poor to low". This is further
compounded by the introduction of the move from "rank"
to "role". Our members have no problem with this in
principal; it reflects modern society. What we do have a problem
with is the way it is being implemented. A discredited and disowned
leadership of another trade union poorly negotiated the method.
It has led to variations in approach by different fire and rescue
services and many managers feeling undervalued and have a perception
that in their new role they have been demoted. In some authorities
it has all the hallmarks of a money saving exercise. As if all
this were not enough, members are faced with all the uncertainties
of the proposed changes to their pension scheme. We feel obliged
to state publicly that unless there is some radical rethinking
surrounding these proposals there is the potential for industrial
action in the fire and rescue service on a scale that it has never
before seen.
With regard to other institutional reforms it
is fair to say that progress has been made. In particular the
Practitioners' Forum made a promising start. However, many members
are acutely aware that it must not be allowed to degenerate so
as to replicate the discredited arrangement it replaced. We feel
it would benefit from an injection of enthusiasm and confidence
that work carried out under its auspices is actually going to
be implemented. For example, a great deal of work was put into
the Retained Review and there is still no apparent move to begin
implementing it. Also, "Task and Finish" groups are
taking too long to commence work and equally too long to report;
exactly the fault which befell the CFBAC.
6. PROMOTING
DIVERSITY WITHIN
THE FIRE
AND RESCUE
SERVICE
Some progress is being made, but in relation
to the passage of time it is disappointing. There is still a lack
of inclusion of all stakeholders in developing new initiatives.
Indeed there appears to be an exclusive approach towards development
of diversity issues, eg only a limited number of stakeholders
were invited to participate in the development of Core Values
for the service, and the Stonewall Diversity Champions initiative
in October last year was restricted to CFOA, FBU and ODPM with
no opportunity to contribute or even offer support by other organisations.
With no flow of information from the Project Board—"Diversity
Happens"—we are unsure as to how it is going to.
7. JOINT WORKING
There has been a marked increase in joint working
between Fire and Rescue Services particularly because of the advent
of the Regional Management Boards, the benefits of which have
yet to be largely seen. However, we are of the opinion there they
will be benefits, and support their development. We are also aware
of the study being carried out by Devon and Somerset Fire and
Rescue Services which may result in a recommendation to combine.
We await the results with interest, not least because of the implications
for other areas. What is of concern however, is whether Government
policy with regard to the size of Police Authorities is to be
mirrored to the Fire & Rescue Service in the foreseeable future.
One way or the other it would be beneficial for the service to
know.
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