A forum for open discussion on communities and local government policy.

Future of the 2008 Fire and Rescue Service National Framework

This forum is for anyone with an interest in the Fire and Rescue Service National Framework to contribute their ideas and suggestions for the 2008 Framework.

We welcome your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Framework and how we could look to improve the next Framework, in particular:

  1. Is the Framework effective in conveying Government’s expectations of the fire and rescue service? How might we improve it?
  2. Is the length of the document right? Do you think the document could be improved by including more or less detail?
  3. Are the chapter headings useful and covering the areas of most importance for the service? What are your views on how the content is structured overall?
  4. Is the Framework’s two-year lifespan appropriate?

The National Framework (NF) is a statutory guidance document that sets out Communities and Local Government’s expectations of the fire and rescue service. It is revised bi-annually by Government in consultation with the Service.

The policy team will read all posts and participate in the discussion where relevant.

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Consultation on Draft national Framework Document for 2008

Posted by David Harding on 05/04/2007 - 16:10

There should be recognition in the framework that there are different governance arrangements between CFA's and County Fire and Rescue Services. The National Framework needs to recognise these or state an intension by government to address these different playing field imbalances. With the current governance models in place Government must recognise that there are different structures and freedoms in place for both. This is not to say that one model is better than the other, only that the speed and ability to work collaboratively varies and may not be at times compatible.

The current document is perspective and wordy in its content, but this is not such a bad thing as its maintains some form of standardisation and so a semblance of a national standard. This is supported by the concept of the Integrated Clothing Project, FireLink, FireControl and the New Dimensions program. Whilst at the same time flying in the face of the IRMP concept of locally determined and risk based innovative intercessions. These two concepts are not totally incompatible but do produce a tension.

It would be helpful if government was to determine the rigidity of regional boundaries or weather formal arrangements across regional boundaries (real or virtual partnerships) could now be considered more positively.

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