Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Communities and Local Government Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2006-07-12

Total Pages: 108

ISBN-13: 9780215029706

The Government detailed its plans to reform and modernise the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in its White Paper (Cm 5808, ISBN 0101580827) published in June 2003, and these subsequently became law under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. The Committee's report examines the progress made to implement this challenging reform programme, following on from a previous report by its predecessor Committee (HCP 43-I, session 2003-04; ISBN 0215014936) published in January 2004. The Committee has focused on a number of key issues, including: the impact of the introduction of regional control centres and new FireLink radio services; fire prevention and risk assessment; governance and funding arrangements; staffing issues and policies to promote diversity within the FRS; performance measurement and management; and progress on joint working approaches between the FRS and other emergency services. Findings include: the unprecedented changes being implemented represent a positive change in emphasis for the FRS to a more pro-active role in fire prevention and risk management; the Government needs to make a stronger business case to convince and reassure the FRS that the project to create nine regional control centres (called the FiReControl model) will bring enhanced resilience and efficiency; and that the Government should ensure the new FireLink radio project includes the fire-ground technological upgrade.