Management in the Fire Service - Example

Fire Management Plan Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name 11th February, 2013 Abstract The incidents and accidents that have been caused by fire in our society today have become more frequent. As a result, we have to come up with ways of managing and handling fire in any buildings, sections or premises. I have been hired by the University of Central Lancashire as a consultant to work on the development of a fire management plan. In the process of developing the fire management plan, I had to look into factors such as design, occupants of the building, law and regulations that are used in controlling fire. The report has highlighted the actions and steps that would be used in drafting the fire management plan within the University. Table of Contents Fire Management Plan 1 Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Fire Policy 4 Fire Management Plan 5 Objectives 5 Policy Assessment 6 Recommendations 8 Conclusion 10 References 11 Appendix 12 Introduction The University of Central Lancashire has a new building that has been built to comprise of a studio, theatre and business centre. I am a well trained Fire Marshall with hands on skills on planning and fighting fire incidents at different levels. In the design of the fire management plan for the University, I had to consider the Fire Safety Order and the BS 9999 standards which are laws which govern on how fire issues should be handled in a building. As a consultant, I would to look at the specific laws that would apply to the University of Lancashire and come up with recommendations that they should apply. Generally, I would recommend a fire management plan that ensures safety and proper safeguards for all students at the facility. Fire Policy In the process of coming up with a fire management policy it is important for the University to consider the laws and regulations that control fire management. As a consultant the University has come up with good controls that allow for a fire management plan to be adopted easily. As a result, I have advised the university to come up with a policy hat sums up their approach towards fire and this policy statement is “to maintain high standards of security and fire protection to all faculties, staff and visitors within the university.” The first task that I had to undertake in the process of developing a fire management plan was to engage all stakeholders in the process of developing the policy/plan (McBeth 109). In the process of engaging all stakeholders a person gets to know of policies laid down in the process of managing and fighting fire within the University (Drysdale 96). In the process of developing the University’s fire management plan, I worked a lot with the head of security since this was the person who was in charge of security and implementation of the fire policy (Clement 85). Due to my prior training in fire, I had to consider the policies and strategies developed by the University in their pursuit of developing a fire management policy. The University of Central Lancashire had the head of security in charge of security and all risks such as fire. The University policy only included emergency evacuation and fire fighting using equipments such as fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency exits (Greenwood 92). The drawing up and implementation of the University’s fire management plan will be undertaken by me and the head of security. Fire Management Plan The University of Central Lancashire will adopt a fire management plan that follows that is line with the set laws and regulations since the University has a legal obligation to protect people around their premises under the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and the BS 9999: 2008 standards. This was Fire Management Plan was drawn so that the University can manage fire risks appropriately. The Fire Management Plan will look into the following areas: Purpose: This document has been prepared by a fire expert in consultation with the University Security Team and Departmental heads to equip them with information and perspectives of fire policies and procedures. The main purpose of the document is to equip the University with information on how to fight fire risks and be informed of fire safety measures. Objectives The main objectives and functions that of the University’s Fire Management Plan are: a) To ensure a high level of safety for persons and property within a fire management system that is comprehensive and applied across the University. b) To ensure appropriate measures in terms of emergency, preventive are undertaken while the University complies with legal obligations in relation to fire safety. c) To ensure fire incidents/problems are quickly dealt with and contained within the shortest time possible. d) To ensure that adequate training and information is provided to all stakeholders in University on fire safety and management. e) To ensure audits are conducted on all fire risks and policies to ensure they are standard, realistic and timely. Policy Assessment The scope of the plan looks into fire safety and this includes varied characteristics or factors in ensuring fire safety standards are accomplished. As a result, the fire management plan is supposed to look into the following factors: Design: As a fire consultant, it is important to consider the design of the building and in relation to the University; we had to look into the plan and arrangement of the building. The University has been designed in a manner that ensures free movement of people within the building easily. Moreover, the building has been designed with fire escape routes that are accessible for all people including disabled people. While, at the same time within the building there are warming signs in case of fire emergency (Barry 96). This is seen by diagram 1 & 2 in the appendix while at the same time fire extinguishers and other fire prevention materials have been placed in strategic places within the building. As a consultant, the design of the University building fits with the requirements set out in the BS 9999: 2008 standards and the Fire Safety Order. Risk assessment: Under the Fire Safety Order and the BS: 9999:2008 standards, it is imperative that risk assessment is undertaken in the process of establishing a fire management plan. The University in its plan should undertake the process of risk assessment through several layered design, evacuation plan, emergency response and possibilities of occurrence of fire. Risk assessment will look into capacity, fire risks, evacuation plan, emergency response, training and monitoring of all fire risks as follows: Fire Safety Measures: Within the Fire Management Plan, we have to put fire safety measures such as installing fire fighting equipment, training personnel and assessing all fire risks in time. For instance, in case of a fire outbreak, how do you categorize the fire in terms of fast, moderate or slow. According to part 2 of the Fire Safety Order, the person in charge of fire or general security must ensure fire safety precautions are undertaken (Drysdale 82). Evacuation and Response plans: In the fire process of developing a fire management plan, we have to come up with expedite emergency response plan to fire and emergency issues. For instance, in this case the University has hotlines for emergency fire and hospital responses and furthermore the university is located close to hospitals, fire stations and police stations (Clement 63). Moreover, the people in charge of fire risks at the University such as security officers should ensure that they are prepared for emergencies and respond to these fire risks swiftly. Organizational structure: In the process of development of a fire management plan, it is imperative to have an organizational structure that allows for certain people to be in charge of fire and security issues at the University. Apart from operational issues, the fire management plan involves training staff and students on ways of handling and fighting fire. The organizational structure involves all stakeholders who are organized in a certain manner to handle different kinds of risks based on the work undertaken (McBeth 122). This organizational work involve processes such as checking if fire alarms, hose reels and other fire fighting systems are working well. Evaluation and monitoring: In the fire management plan, all the stakeholders at the University should audit and monitor fire risks closely. As a result, the university staff and security people should ensure that all fire systems within the school are maintained. These include fire extinguishers, alarm systems and all other fire fighting equipment. Moreover, every week the head of security in assistance with his staff ensure that all fire equipments are working well and those fire risk assessments are done every other month (Brett 78). As part of the evaluation and monitoring, audits on fire risks are conducted and records are kept of all fire risks and assessments that have been conducted. Recommendations The University of Lancashire should make sure certain activities are carried out in the process of drawing up and implementing the fire management plan. These recommendations will ensure that a prudent fire management plan is adopted at the university. One of the important recommendations is to have staffs who are dedicated to the implementation of the fire management plan. This should include all stakeholders but most importantly as outlined in the BS 9999 standards, one person should be in charge of all the fire issues at the University. Such a person could be the head of fire security at the University and he/she should have support staff to help in the implementation of the fire management plan (Drysdale 77). Since laws and regulations are reviewed quite often then, this should be the case for the University’s fire management plan so that it can change and adhere to the provisions of the law at all times. Apart from reviews, the fire management plan should contain audits that are geared towards increasing efficiency and response to fire emergencies or incidents. Training is an important and integral part of the implementation of the fire management plan. All stakeholders such as students, university staff and people making use of the amenities at the university should be trained on handling fire equipments, fire exits and proper response mechanisms in case of fire outbreaks. This would assist a lot in terms of managing risks while at the same time boosting fire safety within the vicinity of the University (Greenwood 92). Evaluation and monitoring of the fire management plan is also important within the University since it assists a lot in ensuring that fire safety plans and activities are undertaken diligently. For instance, it is important for the people in charge of fire security to ensure that all fire equipments are working properly (Barry 91). This include fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinklers and all fire systems since these amenities assist in averting crisis created by fire risks. Apart from fire equipment, the University fire crew should also test the fire response and emergency units to confirm that they are prepared for all fire risks at all times. It is important for fire risks assessments to be conducted quite often to establish flaws in the fire management plan. This is highly recommended to ensure that all risks have solutions or can be mitigated in case of their occurrence. Moreover, the University fire team in accordance with the fire management plan should conduct constant fire drills to ensure that everybody at the University is prepared for any risks (Brett 78). These fire drills should be conducted arbitrary at least once every two months and this should be done with audit assessments that are conducted quite often. Audit assessment reports should be given to all stakeholders and action should be undertaken on these reports as per the guidelines contained in the law and the fire management plan. Conclusion Fire management is an important part of ensuring security is maintained in a building and that these safety nets are important in ensuring that all work is undertaken in an orderly manner. As consultants, we designed a fire management plan that looks into the fire safety standards at the University of Central Lancashire. This plan considers the occupants of the building, evacuation from the building and all other measures undertaken to ensure that fire safety standards are maintained at all times. The core and important people in the management of the fire management plan are all other stakeholders such as students, emergency response teams and experts engaged in the design and implementation of the fire management plan. This fire management is comprehensive in ensuring fire safety is achieved at the University of Lancashire. References Barry, L., Fire Prevention and Control Master Planning Guide, Jones & Bartlett Learning, San Francisco, 2009. Brett, P, ‘Developing a Sustainable Fire Management Plan’, The Security Review, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 78. Clement, D., Management in the Fire Service, Routledge, New York, 2010. Cote, A., Fire Protection Handbook, John Wiley and Sons, Chicago: IL, 2008. Drysdale, D., An Introduction to Fire Dynamics, Pelshiver, Boston: MA, 2011. Greenwood, C, ‘How to Fire and Manage Fire Disasters’, Journal of Disaster Management, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 92. McBeth, A., Developing Fire Management Planning in Victoria: A Case Study from Australia, Penguin Publishing, Sydney, 2011. Appendix Diagram 1: Showing fire extinguishers in the building Diagram 2: Showing emergency chairs for disabled people Read More