National overview
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is the inspectorate of fire and rescue services (FRS) in England, this is in addition to their policing role. HMICFRS’s fire inspection programme enables the public to see clearly across a range of categories and how their FRS is performing against a range of measures. The 3 inspection pillars are a) effectiveness - how effective is the service at keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks; b) efficiency - how efficient is it; and c) people - how well does the service look after its people. Their website includes published inspection reports.
The Fire Standards Board oversees the identification, organisation, development and maintenance of professional standards for fire and rescue services in England.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) brings together the operational leadership of the UK’s fire and rescue services to provide co-ordinated professional, operational and technical leadership of the sector, advising and supporting central and local government, and other stakeholders. Visit their website to view their work programme and how they are improving the work of fire and rescue services.
Local Government Association’s (LGA) Fire Management Committee comprises chairs of fire and rescue authorities and considers and determines matters of national interest in relation to the running of fire and rescue services.
The Employers’ Side of the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services negotiates on behalf of fire and rescue authorities with the trade unions on firefighters’ pay and other conditions of service. Representative bodies:
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) represents wholetime firefighters (including officers up to Chief Fire Officer), on-call firefighters and emergency control room staff.
The Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) represents the interests of on-call firefighters.
The Fire Officers’ Association (FOA) represents uniformed middle managers in the fire and rescue service.
The Fire Leaders Association (FLA) promotes and protects the interests of leaders in UK fire and rescue services. Their membership includes operational and corporate staff working at Area Manager and Brigade Manager levels.