Implementing fire safety reforms: last issue we reported on the committee stage considering oral presentations on the Draft Regulatory Reform Order. With implementation expected next Spring, the CFOA working group provides an overview on the wide range of implementation issues which need considering

Now that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) is moving through the parliamentary scrutiny process, it is anticipated the RRO will come into force in Spring 2005. The Chief Fire officers Association's, working group, set up in 2002 under the chairmanship of DCFO Andy Marles of South Wales, is now to cussed on the wide range of implementation issues, opportunities and challenges that the RRO will present to the Fire and Rescue Service.

Building on the principles of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 as amended, and repealing the Fire Precautions Act 1971, allows the Fire and Rescue Service to focus on prevention, rather than cure, and gives the business community the opportunity to manage the risk from fire as it applies to their particular sector.

The group recognises that by investing much time and effort at this stage it will give the opportunity not only to achieve national consistency, for example in areas of inspection and enforcement, but also to prove more efficient and effective than individual brigades working in isolation. To achieve this aim the group are producing, and will make freely available, policy templates, guidance on best practice, training packages and supporting documentation.

An overview of the areas of work that the group is tasked with can be found below, with a brief outline of where this work is at present.

INSPECTION STRATEGY

The guidance in this area underpins the published circular from the ODPM, and is focussed on the range of policy issues that auditing and inspecting of premises, based on risk, will need to be in place. This is largely complete and is being fine-tuned now that the RRO has been published

INTER AGENCY LIAISON

Protocols are being developed to deal with the way in which the Fire and Rescue Service can interact with other agencies, and stakeholders, that can allow for an effective integration of external requirements into a risk based regime. These external requirements will be generated from other legislative change, for example the Licensing Act, and where external enforcement agencies or licensing authorities require information exchange.

ENFORCEMENT

Development of policy and procedures in this area is only a part of the work that has been undertaken. A great deal of work has been invested in the production of a risk based enforcement model that deals with the range of measures from RRO statutory consultations to investigation and prosecution procedures. This is an area that is developing best practice based on what is already being viewed as a likely national model.

DATA MANAGEMENT

This is an area that will see a fundamental change from the present time based system to one where the data from outcomes of contacts with premises will be captured. The data gathered will be used to inform the integrated risk management planning process, and support local and national indicators. A pilot project on data management is being led by the South Western Region of CFOA, which will interest not only the Fire and Rescue Service but other agencies and bodies. The group sees this is an opportunity to develop systems free from the constraints of uncertain existing data and develop best practice models.

TECHNICAL ISSUES AND TRAINING

The RRO, when it is introduced, will require the fire safety officer to add to their existing range of skills to meet the changes in the way in which the Fire and Rescue Service approaches audit inspection, and enforcement of premises. To meet this training need the North Western Region is taking the lead in producing training packages that will support theses additional skill areas. A pilot project is currently being undertaken by the North Western Region, which will deal with all the issues that the RRO will lead to. Already the region has produced initial training materials based on the role of the fire safety officer under the RRO, and an interactive training package based on risk based audits and inspections.

COMMUNICATIONS

The group is currently working towards the development of a website that will contain work of the group ranging from policy statements, to paperwork that a fire safety officer can take with them when carrying out their programmed visit. This will be freely available to download, and will provide the templates for much of what will be required for the Fire and Rescue Service nationally.

Simplifying fire safety legislation will benefit both those responsible for managing the risk by giving them greater freedoms to demonstrate their own ability to operate safely, and the Fire and Rescue Service in focussing their resources on those at greatest risk from fire. This ability to operate safely by addressing the risk from fire in their particular premises is what fire safety officers will expect to see evidenced not only in a risk assessment, but also in practice.

Implementing the RRO is a challenge that also provides the Fire and Rescue Service the opportunity to give a consistency of approach across a range of issues which will allow a more efficient service to the community and properly support integrated fire risk reduction strategies.

Paul Anderson is Group Manager Fire Safety, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service For further information tel: 0191 4441250.

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