London Safety Plan and Risk Management - Literature review Example

Running Head: LONDON SAFETY PLAN London Safety Plan Name Institution Date Introduction The London safety plan is a framework that has facilitated the attainment of various achievements such as a decline in accidental fire deaths. In addition the plan has assisted in setting priorities for the London fire Brigade. According to Cote (2003) a safety plan provides a foundation for fire rescue organizations to deliver services according to the expectations of the government for public service, in terms of responding to the needs of the community and responding effectively to national and regional emergencies. This particular paper seeks to evaluate how the London safety plan conforms and does not conform to government guidelines for such plans. In addition the paper will consider the future action plans of in terms of the risk analysis carried out within the plan. One of the ways by which the London Safety plan conforms to the guidelines of the government is through having the integrated risk management plan. One of the major government requirements is that fire and rescue services should create an Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) that will assist in managing risks that affect the society (Fire and Rescue Service National Framework, 2008–11). The current London safety plan incorporates the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2010-2013. The Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) is an essential component of the London safety plan that aims at successfully developing reforms and improvements in the operations of fire and rescue organizations. The current IRMP intends to manage risks through reducing the number of emergencies, reducing the severity of injuries that are linked to emergency incidences, safeguarding the built and natural environment and offering values for money. Apart from the having an Integrated Risk Management Plan the government recommends that the plan must be made publicly available in order to enhance regular reviewing and revising of the content to ensure that the risk information provided is up to date. The London Safety plan openly presented its IRMP an indication of compliance to government requirements. It can therefore be argued that the London Safety plan conforms to the guidelines of the government by its incorporation of the Integrated Risk Management Plan (London Safety Plan 2010/2013). The London Safety plan also conforms to the guidelines of the government of having a risk based inspection program that must be incorporated within the Integrated Risk Management Plan. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005,it is the responsibility of fire rescue organizations to undertake a fire rescue assessment and also put in place vital precautions that will control or reduce the risk . The London Safety plan has therefore utilized a range of demographic, social and geographic data to come up with an Incident Risk Analysis Toolkit (iRAT). The tool kit would assist in modeling the likelihood of occurrence of fire incidences. In order to come up with a more comprehensive risk based inspection program, the London Safety plan mapped up the entire program by looking at different types of incidences that have occurred as a result an exclusive program of managing such risks was devised . Cote (2003) highlights that London faces various risks as a capital city such as a bombing attacks as a result a well outlined program should be made available in order to counter such risk even in the future. Also in terms of risks analysis the London Safety plan intendeds to continue working with the local authorities and the London councils in identifying and managing risk according to requirements that are outlined in the Civil Contingency Act. The government requirement in terms of risk analysis is that fire rescue organizations should undertake risk analysis according to the requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Fire and Rescue Service National Framework, 2008–11). According to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 a coherent framework of emergency response and planning should be developed in emergency organizations. This should therefore result to effective analysis and definition of dangers to business, the government and individuals (Civil Contingencies Act 2004). The London Safety plan has developed a risk analysis plan (2010-2013) that is coherent to government requirements and the Civil Contingency Act. The London Safety plan has the objective of understanding the nature of risk that faces London as a result risk analysis is an integral aspect of the plan. For instance the plan takes not of the fact that in recent year’s terrorism is one of the risks that faces London. As a result the plan intends to carry out risks analysis continuously to ensure that a clear understanding of future risks and how to respond to such risks even in the future (London Safety Plan 2010/2013). The government in the national Framework (2008) also recommends that fire rescue organizations must put in place a mechanism of increasing public vigilance and awareness in terms of safety aspects during emergency periods. The London Safety plan intends to engage the community members in an education program that will aim at giving them information that will assist in reducing the risk of fire of fire and other emergencies. The strategic goal of the education program is to have new educational programs alongside with the existing programs that took place in the previous plans. The plan intends to introduce an education initiative that has performance indicators that is more specific, whereby the program will clearly indicate how the strategic objectives of the program have been achieved. According to the plan the performance indicators will mostly be directed towards high risk areas (London Safety Plan 2010/2013). Another way in which the London Safety plan also conforms to the guidelines of the government is based on developing a plan that is representative of the needs of the community that is served. The London Safety plan has covered the period between 2010 April to April 203. The plan was devised during the period of the recession, which was marked by deterioration in finances for the public. In addition it is anticipated that the government will experience a reduction in government spending in the future. London Safety Plan (2010/2013) reveals that there are a number of ways in which the plan aims at supporting Londoners during the recession as a strategy of meeting the needs of the community. One of the ways is through working with the business community to come up with fire safety solutions that are integral in maintaining safe environments and also lowering the burden of regulation on business. This will assist in reducing damages associated with emergencies incidence as a result this will increase competitiveness among London business, hence business will be able to easily get back on their feet even after an incident has occurred. Another way in which the plan intends to assist the community during the recession period is through collaborating with the local community to enhance social stability and cohesion. In the context of enhancing unemployment and minimal skills , the plan intends to work with young people in developing team work , life skills and self esteem , for instance the LIFE project program has greatly assisted young people in accessing employment . The plan also intends to initiate an apprenticeship scheme that is aimed at additional opportunities for young people in London (London Safety Plan, 2010/2013). The London Safety plan does not conform to the guidelines of the government in various ways. One of the ways is in terms of making preparations of moving their control services to regional control centers (RCC). This particular requirement was laid in order to develop a transition in terms of Fire control. As a result fire rescue organizations were supposed to constructively and actively take part in the existing regional arrangement that involves the control of services to the Regional Control Centers. On the other hand, the London Safety plan has not highlighted any specific strategies or motives that indicate how the recommendation towards moving their control services to regional control centers (RCC) will be implemented. In addition the move towards the RCC is grounded on ascertaining resource mobilizing across borders. The plan only specifies areas of internal control such as prevention, response and protection within the London region. For instance in terms of resource mobilization the plan has only covered internal areas of resource mobilization (London Safety Plan, 2010/2013). Another area of non conformance is in terms of resilience. According to the national Framework (2008) resilience covers the release of major resilience programs whereby fire rescue organizations have to ascertain that they are well equipped in terms of meeting the demands that are outlined by the resilience agenda. The resilience agenda covers organizing meetings that would bring Local and Regional Resilience Forums (RRFs) in order to address civil protection issues. This particular initiative has not been addressed by the London Safety Plan, 2010/2013 Conclusion From the above analysis, it can be stated that the London Safety Plan has in various ways met the requirements laid down but the government. The major areas of compliance have been in terms of the key government requirements which are; prevention, response and protection. The paper identifies two areas of non compliance which include lack of preparations towards moving their control services to regional control centers (RCC) and non conformance to the resilience programs proposed by the government. In conclusion the London Safety Plan is in the direct path of improving safety in the London region if well implemented. References Cote, A.(2003). Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008–11, May 2008 Department for Communities and Local Government London Safety Plan 2010/2013. The Civil Contingencies Act (2004). Risk, Resilience and the Law in the United Kingdom Read More