Q&A: perspectives from the sector

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SECTOR

In this regular series, AFAC CEO Rob Webb interviews leading figures in the fire and emergency services sector. This edition he spoke with David Nugent, Director, Fire and Emergency Services at Parks Victoria, who is a panel member of the AFAC Emergency Management Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS), and asked him about progress with EMPS and the benefits it delivers for the fire and emergency sector.

ROB WEBB

AFAC

What is the AFAC Emergency Management Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS) and what impact has it had on the fire and emergency services sector?

EMPS is a scheme that creates a set of nationally agreed, professional standards for our emergency management sector. It involves benchmarking an individual’s skills

PHOTO: CFA against published professional standards to ensure they have the qualifications and experience they need. The scheme also includes a Code of Ethics, so that those involved in our sector meet community expectations.

Certification involves assessment by a panel of experts from a mix of agencies and jurisdictions across the country. This is challenging, but those who have received their certification speak of how they enjoyed this opportunity to be judged by their peers. It is reassuring to know that people in our sector meet the highest standards.

As the uptake of EMPS continues to build, both agencies and individuals are seeing the value of the scheme. Recognition provided by it has been very positive across all jurisdictions.

What is an EMPS-certified and EMPS-registered practitioner, and how do you become one?

EMPS provides for two types of practitioners, those who are proficient in their roles (EMPS registration), and those who are experts in their field (EMPS certification).

To become EMPS-registered, an applicant must demonstrate compliance with the relevant professional standards for the role. Usually, this requires them to be assessed as competent in the Public Safety Training Package unit of competency for the role (or mapped equivalent training course) and to have at least two years’ experience during which they have performed the role successfully at least three times.

Certification involves assembling a portfolio of evidence of managing high-impact and high-consequence emergencies. All candidates for certification, whose portfolios demonstrate alignment with the standards, then go through an interview process. A panel of peers assesses the applicants against the relevant professional capabilities.

Applicants must have the support of their organisation, where relevant, to apply.

How does the EMPS Code of Ethics guide the growth of the emergency management sector?

The Code of Ethics is a really important component of the scheme. While most of our agencies and staff operate with their own code of conduct, the EMPS Code of Ethics is tailored to our sector. This ensures that individuals are committed to the highest standards of behaviour when undertaking their roles.

How do nationally consistent qualifications and experience requirements established through AFAC EMPS support the sector during interstate and international deployments?

EMPS will be used more and more as a prerequisite for those being deployed to support emergencies throughout Australia and overseas. The use of EMPS in international and interstate

PHOTOS: NSW RFS

PHOTO: NEAL HERBERT

deployments ensures that those in the scheme have the same skills and knowledge and, importantly, have signed the Code of Ethics. Not only does this provide reassurance to the state and agency receiving additional resources, but everyone involved knows that they are skilled in their roles.

EMPS will be used more and more as a prerequisite for those being deployed to support emergencies throughout Australia and overseas.

Left EMPS credentials support the deployment of interstate and international personnel through the AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre. Above Better-defined certification and capabilities through AFAC EMPS will enhance incident management activity. Top AFAC EMPS gives emergency workers the confidence that their skills and knowledge are in line with their colleagues from other states and agencies. Above As AFAC EMPS continues to build, both agencies and individuals are seeing the value of the scheme.

We all come together very quickly to respond to emergencies, knowing that everyone in roles under EMPS meet the same standards, and that our teams will operate quickly and effectively.

How have you seen AFAC EMPS work for emergency management agencies so far?

EMPS has been embraced by many agencies to support the career progression and development of staff. The national standards have become an important pathway for staff through their career. Our emergency workers have the confidence that their skills and knowledge are in line with their colleagues from other states and agencies. It is great to see the scheme working both for individuals, and for our sector.

We’re already starting to see the practical application of the scheme, supporting interstate and international deployments and giving agencies confidence that when they request resources, those personnel meet national standards.

While the scheme does not include all roles at the moment, more will be added over time. We’re looking forward to a time when whole teams will be certified or registered, giving everyone the reassurance that they have the consistent skills and knowledge to undertake their roles.

How will AFAC EMPS ensure fire and emergency services personnel will be seen not just as ‘professional’ but as part of a ‘profession’ into the future?

Part of the long-term vision with the EMPS is to recognise our fire and emergency sector as a critical profession for our community. With the Code of Ethics, educational requirements and national approach, we’re developing our sector’s capability and reputation with the community.

In addition to our emergency service agencies, we are also seeing private sector interest in participating, supporting the momentum of the scheme. For those who are considering their future careers, EMPS provides an attractive developmental element to support their aspirations. We want more people to join our sector as a profession.

Information about how to apply is on the AFAC EMPS website, www. emps.org.au, and you can contact the AFAC EMPS Administrator by emailing email@emps.org.au.