Fire and Rescue Services in Responding to Various Disasters within the UK - Research Proposal Example

Name Course Course instructor Date submitted FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES RESEARCH PROPOSAL Table of Contents Name 1 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2 Table of Contents 2 Objective and scope 4 Literature review 7 Methodology 8 Recommendations 13 References 15 Research question As the whole world is transforming into a global village, it is evident that there is an increase in disaster. These disasters range from terrorists’ attacks, natural disasters and flooding which normally exposes danger of open water. Today, even the world most developed countries such as the UK and USA have not been spared from such disasters. In UK, it has been found out that there is great separation of duties where by there is no coordination between management practices in fire and rescue services (Murphy, 2003). These fire and rescue services companies prove to be effective in responding to various disasters within UK. The question is “can the management practice applied in the fire and rescue services be redefined so that they can be incorporated especially in instant respond to disasters so as to reduce loss of life and property? This research investigate possibility of these services succeed within their managerial position using UK as our case study. Assumption The study assumes that data collected from past researches is effective and that personal attributes are not reflected in this data. It further assumes that data gathered was representative to create space for generalization to wider demographic. Accuracy and precision in data collection and recording is an important factor to be place into consideration. This research goes ahead to assume that researchers who collected data recorded it with outmost accuracy and respondents gave correct information. it is also important to assume that there was uniformity in recording the data so as to make it more scientific. Objective and scope General objective The general objective of this proposal is to use UK as our case study in determining how management practices are handled within UK fire and rescue services. This general objective is accompanied by a view whereby ways of improving various operation within fire and rescue services so as reduce risks involved and introducing new opportunities to already existing ones. Specific objectives The specific objectives connected to this study include; Optimizing the level of management practices which are essential in the establishment of current and anticipated demand The study will review current organization in view of demand of kind of services required in this era of globalization and in future. We will consider what should be incorporated into various fire and rescue services to increase its efficiency. This management practices will include staffing, response to disaster and equipment needed (Beckett & Hager, 2002). Maintaining and improving the safety and wellness of the people of united kingdom As part of study, we will assess safety and health programs and current policies coming up with recommendation to improve them. Our comprehensive study will entail accidents which normally arise from fire and use the management to reorganize programs in stake therefore reduction of risk involved. Improvement and validation of current managerial prevention practices so as to minimize current demand of services and communal risk It is evident that the fundamental responsibility of any fire rescue service is to prevent fire from occurring at any given chance. Unfortunately, it is clear that most fire and rescue services places premium on response whereas putting less emphasis on prevention. We will review on the importance of prevention, public education and plan enforcement. Evaluate how fire management is coordinating with the police especially on emergency response system The main three and most important components during disaster response entail call taking, travel time and reaction time. Among all these call taking takes a significant role. We will evaluate the process involved in communicating between the police, fire and rescue management and involved individual. Using the management to provide appropriate quality response It is important to review on training being offered to fire and rescue personnel on how to handle fire and prevent future risks. As a result of broad spectrum of our study, a clear understanding of best managerial practices within any fire and rescue service has been captured (Beckett & Hager 2002). Maximum staffing and utilization of best managerial practices Staffing remain a fundamental and a major debate in fire rescue services across the globe. We will focus on national standard required as well as comparison and relationship within various fire departments as way of addressing this issue. It is essential to analyze current staffing and determining importance of increasing personnel. Significance of the study Increase in the number of disasters has been attributed to cause stain towards economy development across the globe causing a lot of property damage and loss of life. Even with the emphasis been placed on this factor, it is clear that much need to be done especially within management practices of fire and rescue services. Generally, firefighters have shown their willingness and determinate on in handling multiple disasters what need to be done now is to improve management practice. Proper management practices not only ensure that there is effectiveness within the organization but also assist in minimizing property damage and loss of life. As part to cut down on cost, proper management practices ensures that there are efficient operations within fire and rescue services (Burtonshow-Gunn, 2009). This study is important as it will examine on various management practices within UK fire and rescue services on already carried out research hence issuing out ideas on what to engage in. it will be important to the UK government since recommendation will be offered on how to tackle with changing trends of happenings hence minimizing countrywide disasters. If the recommendations issued below are followed, it is evident that UK and the world will receive improved service delivery from fire and rescue services. Hypothesis and propositions Past researches and studies referred to have indicated that fire and rescue services have sometimes been called upon to assist in rescuing people and property in disasters such as floods especially in UK and larger part of Europe. This has resulted to the hypothesis that fire and rescue services can effectively handle multiple large scale disasters with improved training, staffing and equipment. There is a clear indication from other propositions that globalization has resulted to emergency of new forms of disasters calling for preparedness to deal with such (Burtonshow-Gunn, 2009). Coming up with a new team to deal with this will not only cost a lot but will also consume a lot of time bearing in mind that global economic crisis render most countries incapable of dealing with the disasters. Literature review The United Kingdom population can be described as one which is exposed to all kind of hazards that can be focal points of triggering disasters. One of the major threats that are vulnerable to this population is that involving fire especially been experienced in the recent past. Research indicates that the magnitude displayed in recent fires has increased resulting to exposing the neighboring communities to be more vulnerable. The situation might increase if various fire and rescue services within London and its outskirts do not review their management practice. If there is no quick action in improving various management practices within fire and rescue services, clearly more deaths and human life are likely to be lost. Fire and other disasters which have occurred in the recent past have led to negative impact towards United Kingdom economy. Due to this, fire and rescue services within UK have not only affected markets and house hold but also strategic setting up of bridges and hydroelectric stations. Fires seem to be affecting major economy sectors. The response towards fire disaster has been termed to be not sufficient and satisfactory especially on the management team. In fact, in most fire instance fire fighters have been seen to watch helpless as the fire ranges on and on without any kind of help (Lock, 2007). Common fires in the United Kingdom are those that involve electrical false, industrial accidents, human oriented and forest fires. Fire in the greater UK region can be classified as small, major and fatal. Small fires are those that are only attended to by use of one fire fighting appliance and is mostly restricted to individuals. Major fires are normally attended to using three or more appliances where we have six or more jet supply water from original tank supply. It mostly involves communal properties which are of high value. Lastly fatal fire, this might be small or major but normally it involves the lost of human life (Lock 2007). Methodology Research design The study will apply a descriptive research plan to collect data. The aim for the selection of this plan is due to the large population that exists in the area. The study will aim at investigating the link that is their between the different existing variables and vivid research. This is vital when conducting an analysis of social factors. The study will collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The obtained data will be coded to be able to come up with scientific results. The methodology to be used for a comprehensive review has been tried and rated successful for working in many projects of the same kind. Apart from it being comprehensive, it is in line with the budget gauging from its efficiency. The full details of the approach are geared to the specific intricacies being asked. Persons will be assigned tasks and time frame depending on their area of expertise. The approach will achieve the best possible effectiveness and efficiency and will purpose that the project staff spends quality time in the areas of expertise. The analysis will conduct the stations locations analysis and identify possible ways of reducing demands, and possible routes through which the firm can consolidate more revenues. The analysis will also target to identify areas that can be concluded or merged. The major divisions in the firm will also be reviewed to achieve realistic effectiveness. The analysis will perform a SWOT analysis to identify the firm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Sampling Samples will be determined by randomly sampling different fire stations that are in the area. The inputs of the stake holders will be discussed and also witness the finalization of the initial mission, goals and objectives. A list of the background materials that need to be collected and by the department and sent to town. A partial list of the needed information has been given in detail in the subsequent segment, study step. Data that will not be readily available will be collected later on in the project. The project will make efficient use of the already existing data or obtain some more as the study progresses. The project will ensure they review the background statistics before the actual visit. A small team will be sent during the triage period accompanied by the project manager who will be required to meet the city officials and other city and fire department officials. The meetings will be able to allay any perceived misconceptions and acquire input on pivotal issues and create open avenues for communication. In early sieges of the project, the department was able to meet with the board members who were given a chance to ask questions of great concern to help us attain acceptable recommendations. The project officials were also able to familiarize themselves with the EMS responses. Data on information technology will be acquired from the city’s statistical and analysis staff. Follow ups are to be made at least after every thirty days. The unmatched nominal expertise will provide an inclusive master plan for the city and its residents and the fire department. Description of the study population Study population will consist of fire rescue workers, paramedics, persons above the age of 18 who have been fire victims, the city council officials and members of the UK government. The choice of the persons to participate will be done randomly. The population will be acquired from previous studies done between the years 2008 and 2009. Studies done later than this will also be considered. Instruments of data collection The study will solely rely on second hand data. The instruments will be government and fire station reports, journals and website findings. The assumptions is that the study’s findings were accurate and precise in the recording of their data. Data analysis The collected and obtained data will be analyzed through the SSPS application. This is a new enhanced technology that will ensure all the analysis is up to the standard. This soft ware will code and analyze the quantitative data that will have been obtained. Selected data will then be tested from the collected results selectively (Bohrnstedet and David, 1982). Disaster management services are facing a bigger variety of challenging circumstances. Major occurrences as a result of natural catastrophes, industrial mishaps and the menace of terror attack are confrontations that we must be prepared to deal with at the nationwide level. These occurrences could potentially have an effect on our everyday lives. This calls for high levels of vigilance by the crisis services, as well as enhanced capacity to function efficiently jointly. The UK government initiated the New Dimension program shortly following the September 11th 2001 assault on the United States. It was instantly recognized that multiple large scale disasters in the UK would be hard to deal with efficiently by individual Fire and Rescue Services (Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 2011). The New Dimension program is planned to offer a variety of equipment, personnel and measures to permit for a harmonized nationwide reaction to calamitous events of different types. By offering these new amenities the UK Fire Services are progressively becoming better equipped to deal with acute circumstances and countrywide support provision indicates the UK will be in a better position to deal with the worst forms of disasters conceivable. Several of the services discussed in the Civil Resilience page are an express consequence of what the government has offered by the New Dimension scheme. The Fire Service in the United Kingdom is managed from the local level. The legal accountability of Fire Authorities are specified in the Fire Services Act of 1947, or corresponding legislation, such as the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Orders. Every Fire Authority is obligated to formulate provisions for firefighting in its area. This demands securing the services of a fire brigade. Presently, within the UK fire and rescue services, are organized into sixty two separate fire brigades Compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act of 2004 plays a major part in ensuring that the Fire and Rescue Services fulfill their responsibilities under the Act as a Category 1 Respondent. There is partnership between the government office and the private sector to provide information to the public and to each other. The Service Resilience Forum established offers a source of information for every department and team within HFRS and a plan for an appraisal and appreciation of issues and proposals that might derive from national regional and local trends. The Civil Contingencies Act of 2004 improves the UK's capacity to cope with the consequences of serious disrupting incidents by improving preparedness at a local level (UK Urban Search and Rescue, 2011). A long-term task for the emergency planning team is to make sure that HFRS wholly fulfills the requirements of the Act. Besides fire fighting inside their district of accountability they may make use of their resources for other functions which presently can comprise of those incidents involving chemicals, road traffic accidents, rescue, urban search and rescue, animal rescue, rope rescue, water and trench rescue. It may also comprise of occurrences at sea outside the local authority, or international boundaries. These flexible powers are employed in a variety of ways by singular Fire Authorities and hence no particular form can be presumed. For example, not each Fire Authority with access to a coast operates a capacity to mount a maneuver at sea. This is due to lack of funding and partly lack of oversight on the part of the officials in charge. This is mitigated by the fact that, although each Fire Authority makes its individual policies they usually have ready accords with neighboring establishments (Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 2011). In addition they also have policies to function with other organizations and services. These are used frequently at a diversity of incidents all through the UK, and frequently engage voluntary organizations. Under British law, search and rescue are primarily placed in the hands of the police. It is a fundamental obligation of the police service to be involved in the saving of life and this consist of investigating information of lost people. Even as police forces do not retain acknowledged resources for search and rescue reasons, the police have the principal responsibility for coordinating the tasks of other organizations including professional support made available by voluntary organizations (UK Urban Search and Rescue, 2011). A national configuration has been established and implemented which guarantees that all concerned parties are aware of their role in the collective reaction. The organization of the response is usually separated into three levels; tactical, operational and strategic. The prerequisite to execute one or more of these organization levels will be especially dependent on the character of the occurrence, but in general episodes will be taken care of at the operational level, simply moving to the tactical and lastly the strategic level if this proves necessary (UK-ISAR, 2011). Recommendations Information regarding effects of both natural and manmade disators and their occurency rate should be disseminated to ensure that people are aware of possible disasters, vulnerable places as well as supportive services incase of occurency. The governance arrangements must be made clearer and stronger to ensure that the rescue process is effective. Communication should be improved between agencies and community member to increase the speed of response and offer effective rescue measures. This would reduce the time taken for an agency to be informed of a disastrous occurrence and their reaction time. Since each incidence is different from the other, the idea should be to analyze each situation separately and get a lesson from each experienced. These calls for continuous training to ensure continuous development and new skills are gained by the team. The public needs to be well informed and warned on potential dangers and safety measures in case of an emergency. This would include training communities on measures to be taken t avoid disasters such as fires, drowning and on measures to be taken in case the disaster occurs. Priotisation of those with greatest need for protection such as pregnant and lactating women, the old and children while developing policies and establishing public services. Community mobilisation to participate in community life and property saving which has been found to be an effective means of reducing poverty level. References Murphy, M 2003, Managing strategic change: an executive overview. Carlisle Barracks: Department of command, leadership and management, U.S. Army War College. studies, 32, 899-900 Beckett, D, and Hager, P, 2002, Life, Work and Learning: Practice in Postmodernity, London: Routledge. Burtonshow-Gunn, A, 2009, Risk and Financial Management in Construction, Farnham, England; VT: Gower Lock, D, 2007, Essentials of project Management, Aldershot, Hampshire, England: Gower. Bohrnstedt, W. and David, K. (1982). Statistics for Social Data Analysis. Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Publishers, Inc. DTLR, 2001, Review of the UK Search and Rescue Provision and Coverage Criteria, Department for Transport (DFT), London. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 2011, Midwest and Wales Fire and Rescue Service, London, viewed 14 January 2011, http://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/emergency_response_eng/usar.asp> Moley, S. (2008). Public perceptions in Kershaw, C. Nicholas, S. and Walker A eds Crime in England and Wales 2007 ⁄ 08 London: Home Office. UK Urban Search and Rescue, UK Urban Search and Rescue, Lancashire, viewed 14 January 2011, < http://www.usar.org.uk/> UK-ISAR, International Search and Rescue, Birmingham, viewed January 14 2011, < http://www.wmfs.net/Your_Fire_Service/Emergency_Response/UK-ISAR+- +International+Search+and+Rescue+Team/> Lanark fire station: station plan. Retrieved from 9, march, 2011, http://www.strathclydefire.org/media/11139/p04_lanarkfirestation.pdf Read More