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National Operational Guidance Programme
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funding in March 2018. For some, the programme’s outputs might seem a little esoteric, so the seminar will provide some real-life, tangible results, demonstrating how the development of a national approach to guidance, based on best practice can start to make a real difference to firefighter and public safety. This is a national programme, so all fire and rescue services across the UK are able to draw on the guidance, adapting or adopting it at a local level. Fire services from defence and aviation also have access to the guidance. With chiefs and elected members invited from all four countries within the UK, this seminar will be a great opportunity for colleagues to meet and network in the heart of Westminster. This seminar is a useful follow on for those who attend the Congress on the Future of Firefighter Safety on October 9. Hosted by FIRE, the Congress takes as its inspiration the Fire Brigades Union report on firefighter fatalities and the difficulties of safeguarding firefighters in demanding operational environments. This promises to be a valuable event with input from industry, representative bodies, fire and rescue services and professional fire-related organisations. In addition to the helpful follow on from the Congress, it is also timely to hold the seminar in early November, as the government consultation, Enabling closer working between the emergency services, will have just ended. Inevitably, all fire and rescue services will have spent a lot of time considering the government’s proposals, which set out substantial change for the way fire and rescue authorities may be managed in the future (see pg 10). The National Operational Guidance Programme is not just about the important subject of firefighter safety, but about greater interoperability and closer working with other emergency services. The proposed duty to collaborate, set out in the government’s consultation document, would put this commitment firmly on the statute books and at the forefront of every emergency service’s work. The seminar will provide an opportunity to share those discussions and see how these changes may impact the programme. These are fascinating times and both of these events will contribute to the debate that has only just begun. A full report on the seminar will appear in January edition of FIRE. For further information about the programme and to access the guidance visit: ukfrs.com@UKFireandRescue
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FIRE Correspondent Catherine Levin previews the Parliamentary seminar taking place on November 10
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he National Operational Guidance Programme has been running for over three years now. So far the programme has published nine pieces of guidance covering subjects as diverse as incident command, marauding terrorist firearms attack and environmental protection. The programme is lucky to have a commitment from all fire and rescue services in the UK to fund it and provide staff resources, whether that is a formal secondment or responding to consultation exercises. It is this approach – a programme by the Service, for the Service – that is leading to high quality guidance that will underpin local policies and procedures for years to come. The Department for Communities and Local Government also provides financial support for the programme and is currently committed to do so until March 2016. However, like the rest of the public sector, future funding commitments are subject to the outcome of the spending review process, which will be announced in November. Spreading the word about all the good work so far, and to share what is planned for the future, the All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety and Rescue Group (APPG) is hosting a Parliamentary Seminar focused on the programme. This will take place on November 10. The APPG is an informal cross-party group that has been in operation for over 16 years. Sir David Amess MP chairs the group and the Secretary is former Labour Fire Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick MP. With 20 members drawn from across party lines, including the former Conservative Fire Minister, Bob Neill MP, this group meets regularly and has a wide range of interests across the fire sector. All chief fire officers and chairs of fire authorities, along with other distinguished guests, have been invited to the Houses of Parliament as guests of the Operational Guidance Strategy Board chaired by CFO Roy Wilsher from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Gathering in the modern surroundings of Portcullis House, guests will arrive from 1330 with the seminar commencing at 1400. Members of the APPG will chair the seminar sessions, which will take the format of short presentations followed by panel Q&A. This approach will give seminar guests the opportunity to ask questions and there will be time for discussion and debate. The programme is keen to hear the views of those who fund it. The seminar will provide guests with the opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities for the programme that arise going forward to its conclusion, subject to
“This seminar is a useful follow on for those who attend the Congress on the Future of Firefighter Safety on October 9”
October 2015 | www.fire–magazine.com | 19