West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services - Research Proposal Example

Quality Assurance System West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services 3/26/2013 Type your name Executive Summary West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has undergone wide changes in the manner fire and rescue acts are being carried out. The changes is primarily on the ground that the management has undergone changes and has developed new facilities which helps to access risk in a better way and provides an opportunity to provide better services. This report analyzes the manner in West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has developed the quality assurance system and abided by it. This has been achieved to a large extent by the help of the government who looks towards regular checks. The government has issued circulars which make it compulsory to conduct an audit trial so that quality assurance system can be checked. West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has been provided with freedom to carry out the fire activities but while looking to do so care has to be taken to ensure that the quality standards are followed. Table of Content Introduction 4 Aim of the report 4 Methodology Used 5 Fire & Rescue National Framework 5 Benefits of Quality Assurance System prior Government change 6 Appropriateness of Quality Assurance Program 7 Benefits of Quality Assurance System after Government change 8 Recommendations 8 Conclusion 9 Recommendation 10 Introduction Organizations ensure quality by developing quality assurance system which determines the guidelines based on which the result will be measured. Developing a quality assurance system reduces cost and multiplies the benefits which an organization gets (Doherty, 2007). Quality assurance system is thereby a process which helps to develop a code or process through which the product or services which are delivered are of the highest quality (Bieleman, 2000). The Fire and Rescue Service Act 2004 along with the Fire and Rescue National Framework ensure that an Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMPs) works at developing a quality assurance system for the fire fighters. IRMP provides the guidelines which determine the objectives that the fire and rescue services have and look to accomplish it by delivering quality performance on the standards which has been developed (West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services, 2013). Aim of the report This report highlights the quality assurance system which West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services follows. It begins by highlighting the manner in which different benefits were achieved through the quality assurance system. The report then considers the appropriateness of the quality assurance system through the IRMP framework which has been developed by West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services. It also highlights the quality program which has been developed and provides recommendations which will further improve the quality assurance system that West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services looks to follow Methodology Used This report uses both qualitative and quantitative method to gather the important data for the research. The report also gathers data from government bodies and the local government so that the analysis is properly conducted. Fire & Rescue National Framework This framework discusses the government expectations from the Fire & Rescue Service providers and Regional boards. The framework provides greater autonomy to West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services so that they are able to address the issues in a better way and ensure that the society is provided with better ways to save lives. The results are compared with IRMP framework through which the services will improve efficiency and ensure that better services are provided (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008). This framework helps to understand the different direction in which West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has to work. This has helped West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services to develop their objectives accordingly and will ensure that the goals are achieved. The framework has been developed to achieve protection, prevention, responses, resilience, diversity in workforce, governance and improvement in service quality (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008). Prevention, response and protection have made West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services to develop process through which greater risk is taken so that proper service can be provided according to the required standards. This has also helped the fire department to hire people with diverse background ensuring diversity in the workforce. The governance aspect looks towards delivering performances on the highest level at the same time ensuring transparency (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2008). Benefits of Quality Assurance System prior Government change West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has developed a quality assurance program which enables them to deliver quality service to the society. The program has benefited West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services through development of quality management program; improving efficiency by developing the planning process; developing training program so that services provided are of the highest standard (West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services, 2013). To save the precious life of fire fighters who directly come in contact with fire and incident West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has developed the required training program in that direction. Along with it, West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has also improved their fire fighting equipments and increased the use of technology so that better services are provided and they are able to protect human life (Fire Brigade Union, 2008) The different surveys carried out by Operational Assessment of Service Delivery shows gaps in the IRMP developed by West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services. This increases the risk for the fire fighters and also has an effect on the manner in which quality performance is delivered. This requires that the IRMP is better developed to fill the gaps so that the quality assurance program ensures better services and helps to protect the society. The quality assurance program has transformed the manner in which West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services took decisions. Previously, West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services look towards determining the different parameters from within the organization based on which the performance were evaluated. Different developments in the quality assurance standard ensured that quarterly and half yearly reports were submitted which will help to review the quality of service and would provide an option of making changes in the quality of service. West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services to ensure better standards have developed a regulatory framework based on which they look to carry out their activities. This function is carried out by Audit Office Relationship Manager of West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services so that the audit process looks towards ascertaining that manner in which quality services is provided. The overall process developed thereby looks towards improving the quality of service and is aimed at improving the quality standards (West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services. 2013). Appropriateness of Quality Assurance Program The quality assurance program which has been developed by West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services is appropriate on the following grounds It has helped in the creation of an environment where the fire fighters of West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services are able to understand the different risk which might arise due to fire and looks towards controlling it Ensure efficiency by devising methods through which West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services will be able to deliver better services and maintain the quality standards that has been determined by them West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has looked towards procuring the required equipments and skills which will help to impart better services and maintain the high standards which has been determined by them West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services through the development of a quality assurance program has been able to determine the structure through which better quality standards will be achieved. Benefits of Quality Assurance System after Government change The quality assurance program has benefitted West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services in a number of ways. Firstly, it has ensured that the department remains proactive rather than being reactive. This has helped to deal with the risk and casualties in a better way. Secondly, it ensures that the employees are able to carry out their duties. Thirdly, it helps to deliver quality performance which is according to the Civil Contingencies Act of 2007 and ensures superior performance. Lastly, to work in tandem with other stakeholders so that better performance can be delivered. The quality assurance system has thereby enabled to improve the quality of service and ensured that the organization is able to gain efficiency and ensure better services. Recommendations West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has designed a process through the IRMP which helps to ensure that the quality of service is as per the highest standards. This has been facilitated by the fact that West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services has developed a quality program which looks towards increasing transparency and providing the required training so that the objectives are achieved. In addition to it West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services also has to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the quality training program which has thereby increased effectiveness and has helped to ensure that the quality of performance gets enhanced. The overall process will help to deliver a quality performance and ensure that human life is protected. Conclusion This report highlights the quality assurance system which West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services follows. It begins by highlighting the manner in which different benefits were achieved through the quality assurance system. The report then considers the appropriateness of the quality assurance system through the IRMP framework which has been developed by West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services. It also highlights the quality program which has been developed and provides recommendations which will further improve the quality assurance system that West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services looks to follow References Bieleman, J, 2000, Additives for coatings. Wiley-VCH, Langestraat, Netherlands. Department for Communities and Local Government, 2011, Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008–11, Retrieved on March 27, 2013 from Http://www.communities.gov.uk Doherty, G, 2003, Developing Quality Systems in Education. Routledge Publishers, New Fetter Lane. IRMP, 2011, “Integrated Risk Management Plan 2010-2013,” Retrieved on March 28, 2013 from http://www.wmfs.net Inter Agency Guidelines, 2007, “A Model Quality Assurance System for Procurement Agencies,” Retrieved on March 27, 2013 from http://who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/quality_assurance/inspections/en/ West Midlands Fire & Rescue Services, 2013, Retrieved on March 28, 2011 from www.wmfs.net The Fire Brigades Union, 2008, “In the Line of Duty,” Bradley House, Available Retrieved on March 28, 2013 from http://www.fbu.org.uk Read More