The Government is pleased to announce that it has published its response to the fire reform white paper.
The white paper, Reforming our Fire and Rescue Service, was published last year and set out the government’s ambition for fire reform. The proposals looked to introduce much needed support to fire and rescue services and focused on providing greater development and leadership opportunities whilst encouraging a more positive culture.
The Government’s response to the white paper sets out the public’s feedback to those proposals and confirms which proposals will be taken forward, which include (but are not limited to):
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Introducing a professional College of Fire & Rescue to raise standards and strengthen leadership.
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Developing provision for fire chiefs to have operational independence.
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Tasking the National Joint Council to review the pay negotiation mechanism.
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Taking action to improve integrity and culture in fire and rescue services through improved training, more open recruitment practices and working towards a statutory code of ethics for fire and rescue employees.
The Government’s response to the white paper consultation, and the consultation itself, can be found here: Reforming our fire and rescue service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)