Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Resource Management - Case Study Example

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Resource Management Course Name and Code Insert Your Name Insert Your Number Instructor’s Name 21 May 2009 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction…………………………………….………………………………..3 2.0 Communication Strategies……………………………….…...…………………4 3.0 Operational Strategies/Response………………………………………………...5 4.0 Human Resource Management………………………………………………….6 5.0 Resource Management Principles……………………………………….………6 6.0 Finance and Budget Estimates……………………………………….………….7 7.0 Equipment and Appliances………………………….……………….…………..9 8.0 Personnel Training…………………………………….…………….………….10 9.0 Procurement Process………………………………………………….………...10 10.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………..………………11 11.0 Recommendations……………………………………..……………………….12 12.0 Bibliography……………………………………………...…………………….13 1.0 Introduction The environment and society are exposed to various hazards and requires assistance to prevent and response to these hazards. This calls upon the use of fire and rescue department in ensuring that the society is sustained and improved into exemplarily standards. Hence, a fully functional fire and rescue service will ensure that life and property is safe and shielded from any accidents. Thus, for the fire and rescue department to ensure that it provides the best services, it is supposed to manage resources efficiently. Therefore, different fire and rescue services in United Kingdom employ different strategies and approaches when dealing with issues associated with prevention, response and recovery of incidents. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyse the way that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services manage their resources (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). To analyse the way that the resources are managed, the paper will focus on techniques, technologies, financial, operation and measures to ensure that the fire and rescue service offers the maximum cooperation. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services main aim is to “Acting to Protect and Save” an aim that is clearly illustrated throughout the way that they accomplish their duties. In fact, the fire and rescue service is expecting by 2014 that the services that will be offered with bring into consideration flexible, modern and responsive approach in which it will ensure that the local, regional and national needs are addressed. Thus, this will be achieved through ensuring that the local communities are safer through providing appropriate prevention, protection and response arrangements that puts into consideration the risks that are exposed to the community. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services began operation in 2007 after the merger of Devon and Somerset Fire Brigades (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). The Devon Fire and rescue service brings together four divisions that are grouped in terms of operation capabilities: North, South, East and West while Somerset is organized into two divisions: East and West. The fire and rescue service covers an area of 3,900 square miles with total of 84 stations and co-responder stations 20. The fire and rescue service offers their services to various counties including Devon, Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth becoming the biggest fire and rescue service in UK (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). 2.0 Communication Strategies Communication is an important aspect in any fire and rescue service. Communication ensures that emergency is reported at the earliest time possible effectively. Appropriate communication will ensure that the communities can easily report emergency and at the same time ensure that the fire and rescue staff clearly understands what is required from them. Hence, the fire and rescue personnel should respond immediately to emergency calls. Nevertheless, fire fighters and paramedics that are responding to distress calls should communicate with each other effectively. This also applies in the way that the community is educated in ways to minimise emergency incidents (Buckman, 2005). To accomplish this, the fire and rescue service should put in place ways, techniques and technologies that will ensure that the community, fire fighters and other relevant bodies exchange information effectively. Hence, the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services should replace the obsolete telecommunication equipments and introduce modern telecommunication equipments that will improve exchange of information. Nevertheless, the fire and rescue service should educate the community to ensure that they report emergency promptly (National Fire Protection Association, 2004). 3.0 Operational Strategies/Response Operation brings into consideration many components that ensure that the fire and rescue service provides optimum services. Some components that play a major role in ensuring operational response are civil contingencies planning, hazardous materials, and specialist rescue and community safety. The community safety is an important component in operation response, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services have embraced it (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). The strategies that they use include prevention – communities understand risks and reduce the changes of emergency occurring, protection – ensuring that people are not endangered through enforcing directives and legislations, and intervention – offering services such as 999 call and providing support throughout. Civil Contingencies Planning brings into consideration six sections that address the increase of risks (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). These six sections include water capability, Long Term Management, Mass Decontamination, Logistics and Command & Control. The specialist rescue brings into consideration the progress of equipment, new legislation and improved procedures that require effective crews. This team ensure that the crew can work safely at height and confined spaces and safety when using water. Hazardous materials are likely to be exposed to the environmental due to advancement of requirements and industries. Thus, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services have put into place a Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officers (HMEP). The group provides advice, guidelines and support to Incident Commanders when an incident occurs or deemed to occur (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). 4.0 Human Resource Management Staff and workers in any fire and rescue service come together to ensure that emergencies are avoided or if they occur are mitigated at the earliest time possible. The personnel are responsible for controlling all the activities within Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services and ensure that it offers the utmost service. To achieve this, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services employ 2,255 staff that ensures that the delivery efficiently services to the communities. Out of the 2,255 employees, 798 are whole time, control personnel, 1,208 are retained personnel, and 249 are non-uniformed personnel (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). The employees are distributed into the 84 fire stations. The employees are qualified and can easily accomplish tasks that they are accorded. The employees pass through a rigorously recruitment process through the groups of control staff, retained fire fighters, professional, support staff, and whole time fire fighters. The duties accomplished by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services are managed by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority according to Order of 2006. The Authority brings into consideration the Service Management Team, the Executive Management Board and Chief Fire Officer. The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are made up of 25 members that are appointed from the constituent authorities of Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). 5.0 Resource Management Principles The principles of resource management require that the fire and rescue service maximise the utilization of mage resources in ensuring the most beneficial benefit is yielded. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services as embraced this aspect. They have put in pace system, strategies and techniques that ensure that the most is obtained from the minimal resources. The first thing is to understand the requirements of different incidents and acquiring the appropriate resources that address the issue (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). The second approach is to ensure that these resources and strategically distributed to ensure that the resources are effectively utilized. Nevertheless, the various components of the resource management brings into consideration means, strategies and methods that ensures that the resources are evenly and effectively distributed and utilized. To achieve this goal, some strategies and methods that come handy in understanding the requirements of resources include identification of the requirement of the resource, mobilizing, ordering, tracking, dispatching and demobilizing after the resources complete the allocated tasks. Nevertheless, the idea of resource management brings into consideration the responsibilities that are accorded to partners and other agencies in ensuring that the fire and rescue service accomplishes tasks. Hence, the principles of resource management should be embraced throughout the process of acquiring and utilising the resources (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). 6.0 Finance and Budget Estimates Financial plays a crucial role in ensuring that the fire and rescue service offers the utmost service. Financial capabilities ensure that the fire and rescue service can acquire equipments, personnel and other requirements that are required to accomplish the requirements of the fire and rescue service. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority whom determine the revenues and expenditure that will be used by the department manage the financial system of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services. Moreover, the department careful determines sourcing of funds and with the help of the qualified accounts budget this amount to accomplish the plans and requirements of the department. Most of the funds that are used by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services are obtained from National Non-Domestic Rates, Council Tax Precepts, Revenue Support Grant, and Share of Surplus on Billing Authorities Collection Funds (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). The expenses include salaries, servicing debts, training, equipment and appliances, services and other miscellaneous costs. The table bellow illustrates the percentage of sourced funds and expenses that the funds will meet (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009). Items (Expenditure and Income) Percentage of Amounts Expenditure Personnel e.g. salaries 80% Training 5% Equipment/ Appliances 8% Debt Services 3% Services 3% Others 1% Total Expenditure Expenses 100% Revenue Revenue Support Grant 1% National Non-Domestic Rates 34.4% Share on Surplus on Billing Authorities Collection Funds 0.5% Total fire and rescue authority councils tax precepts 64.1% Total Revenue 100% 7.0 Equipment and Appliances Equipment and appliances are the important tools that make the accomplishment of tasks to be easier. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services have factor these phenomena in the way that they accomplish tasks and in ensuring that the people who utilises these equipments are competent. The fire and rescue department maintains a fleet that helps the fire and rescue service to accomplish tasks (Collins, 2004). These appliances include water tender and ladder vehicles, Incident command vehicles, water carriers, foam units, aerial appliances, rescue units, fireboat, off road vehicles, support vehicles and emergency support vehicles. Apart from the vehicles or fleet, there are other important appliances and equipment such as the personal protective equipment and communication equipment. These equipments ensure that the operational capabilities of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services personnel utilizes appropriate tools, equipment and methods all of which are control by the legislation directives and statutory provisions. The equipments and appliances that are acquired factors into consideration the type of expected risk or threats that are posed. These can easily be estimated by taking into consideration the activities that occurs within the area of fire and rescue department, the size and capability of industries and the perception of people within these regions. In most cases, equipment and appliances contribute positively towards the accomplishment of tasks and ensure that the personnel involved are not exposed to dangerous or inappropriate working environments (Collins, 2004). 8.0 Personnel Training Qualified and skilled personnel usually improve the standard of the completed tasks. Training gives the ability to the personnel to be able to utilize all the equipments at their disposal. Moreover, training the employees ensure that the employees can understand the requirements of the department and understand the appropriate strategies that contributes in the completion of the tasks. Moreover, a trained employee is satisfied by the job that the employee accomplishes thus contributes to retention of the employee. Training should be administered by competent trainers so that the trainees can adequately master the requirements of tasks that they may be allocated. Nevertheless, training greatly decreases injuries and improves on the way that the resources are used in relation to the amount of resources that are available (Barr, & Eversole, 2003). Thus, in the case of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services training and development covers two specific functions: Training and Human resources. The training section is further split into Workforce Development and Training Delivery, which ensures that the staff are selected developed so as be competent to accomplish relevant tasks (Okray, & Lubnau, 2004). The training capabilities of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services are exemplary since they hold National Training Award, Investors in People Award and ISO 9001. Thus, this training ensures that the staff maximises the utilisation of the minimal resources in achieving a bigger outcome. 9.0 Procurement Process Procurement is an important concept in any department or organisation that purchases products and services. The aim of procurement is to ensure that products are openly purchased and the quality is per specified considerations. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services understand the importance of procurement process and have factored it in the framework that the fire and rescue service accomplishes tasks. Due to the fact that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services are a public sector organisation, the procurement of services and goods is governed by the internal financial regulations, national and European legislation. This champions the idea that the resources or public money is used carefully as possible. Procurement is usually a fundamental part of ensuring that value for money is achieved and fulfils the efficiencies agenda. However, the most successful procurement segment in the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services is the southwest region in which they are innovative in terms of procurement and have been championing the idea of improving the strategies of procurement standards in all levels. Additionally, Firebuy, a company that is set up by the central government to purchase the products, undertakes procurement of fire appliances for the fire and rescue service. Nevertheless, the procurement department has qualified staff with experience from the private and public sector. Some of the duties that are accomplished by the departments’ staff are preparation of tenders, the terms and conditions, contract drafting, managing the final contract and negotiating (Barr, & Eversole, 2003). 10.0 Conclusion Fire and rescue services play a major role in ensuring that the communities and environment are shielded against risks and threats. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services have put this into their consideration, developing appropriate strategies that ensure that the community is sanitised on the importance of threats management. The mission of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services is to ensure that “Acting to Protect and Save”, an aspect that has been embraced throughout the way that tasks are completed. Thus, strategies such as communication, financial system, procurement, equipment and appliances, human resource management as ensured that the fire and rescue service as become successful. The fire and rescue department has a wide base to source their funds to mitigate the threats and risks that are posed by the activities and industries that are located in the region. 11.0 Recommendations The fire and rescue service has achieved many goals and ensured that the community can accomplish their day-to-day activities. This can be illustrated by the decrease of threats and emergencies in the few past years. However, there are some changes and strategies that they should employ in ensuring that they further their goals. It includes: Ensuring that the procurement strategy is the same through out the fire and rescue region since the south west region is advancing faster than the rest of the region Embrace the culture of collaboration and partnership with other agencies such as the nuclear plant management committee Update all equipments to ensure that they move with the fast rate of technology, statutory directives and internal capabilities of the fire and rescue department 12.0 Bibliography Buckman, J 2005, Chief Fire Officer’s Desk Reference, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, London. Barr, R & Eversole, J 2003, The Fire Chief’s Handbook, 6th Ed. PennWell Books, London. Collins, L 2004, Technical Rescue Operations, Volume 1: Planning, Training and Command, PennWell Books, London. Carter, H & Rausch, E 2006, Management in the Fire Service, 3rd Ed. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Freeman, M & Capstone P 2006, Fire Engines, Capstone Publishers, London. Grant, N & Hoover, D 1993, Fire Service Administration, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, London. Hanson, A 2001, Fire Engines, Capstone Publishers, London. International Association of Fire Chiefs, 2008, Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills, 2nd Ed. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Johnson, J & Mansdorf, S 1996, Performance of Protective Clothing: Fifth Volume, ASTM International Publishers, London. Kirschman, E 2004, I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know, Guilford Press, London. National Fire Protection Association, 2004, Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills, Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Okray, R & Lubnau, T 2004, Crew Resource Management for the Fire Service, PennWell Books, London. Pinnington, A & Macklin, R 2007, Human Resource Management: ethics and Employment, Oxford University Press, London. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, 2009, Fire and Rescue Management, Retrieved on 20 May 2009, from Read More