Meeting the challenge��implementing reform: with the Regulatory Reform Order shortly to be subjected to Parliamentary scrutiny procedures, we will see a new regime that is based on the principles of managing risk, covering virtually all workplaces and other places where the public resort. CACFOA is preparing to deal with the implementation of these principles - RRO - Regulatory Reform

In August 2002, the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association's (CACFOA) National Fire Safety Committee created a sub-group to deal with the issues that the implementation of the RRO will create. This group has representatives from most regions of England and Wales, under the chairmanship of DCFO Andy Marles of South Wales, with the original terms of reference covering four main areas:

* Response to the consultation from the ODPM;

* To liaise with ODPM and other agencies;

* To define a national policy; and

* To maintain communications between the National Fire Safety Committee and CACFOA's regional committees.

Having responded to the consultation document some time ago, the group is now focussed on a wide range of implementation issues that the RRO presents. The group has made significant progress on these issues and recognises that following sight of the RRO itself, much work will still be needed to meet the challenge prior to implementation. Clearly the time and effort that the group is investing in meeting the challenge will not only prove more efficient than each brigade working in isolation but provide the opportunity for national consistency.

A brief overview of the issues that the group is dealing with can be found below, with a flowchart showing the work that each CACFOA region is undertaking. As an example of the typical range of issues that each region is dealing with, the work of the South Eastern Region is shown in greater detail.

INSPECTION STRATEGY

This area is virtually completed and will underpin guidance from the ODPM on managing a risk based fire safety programme and gives guidance on policy issues of inspection and auditing of premises using a risk based philosophy.

INTER-AGENCY LIAISON

The group is developing protocols on how the Fire Service will interact with the wide range of agencies that we have contact with, and how to integrate their requirements into a risk based regime.

ENFORCEMENT

There has been a great deal of work in this area in the development of policy and procedures. Not only dealing with production of policy and procedures, but developing a risk based enforcement model dealing with aspects from administration, investigation, prosecution procedures to RRO statutory consultations.

DATA MANAGEMENT

Changing to a goal-based regime will see the focus on production and capture of data based on the outcome of contacts with buildings and premises. The Audit Commission is at present set to issue a suite of best value indicators which will be served by data capturing, for example, information on the number of fires in non-domestic premises, notices served, and the number of deaths and injuries in non domestic premises. The group has recognised the fundamental change to the management of data, from a time based system, to that of an outcome-based regime, with work ongoing in this area.

TECHNICAL ISSUES AND TRAINING

The group has recognised that the RRO will lead to changes in how the Fire Service approaches inspections, audits, enforcement and the technical issues involved in the more to a risk based approach. Training is being developed by the group that will underpin these issues of change, with the NW Area taking the lead in producing training packages covering the range of issues, and skills that will give fire safety officers the tools to meet the challenge.

TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Information for this area will be covered in a Fire Service Circular to be issued by the ODPM.

The era where the Service sees its focus on prevention rather than cure is almost here, and the powers that the RRO confers will give new opportunities to efficiently and properly support an integrated fire risk reduction strategy.

Future articles will be produced to inform everyone of the developments in all of the areas mentioned in this article. In the meantime please contact Mr P Anderson of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service on Tel: 0191 5149300 should you require any further information.

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