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ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 FIRE SERVICE COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

distributed and modularised approach On a personal note, I’m immensely proud to training delivery. This means our and honoured to have been appointed to Welcome customers get to make local choices lead the College through its next phase about what’s delivered, where, when of development. I’ve no doubt that the A warm welcome and by whom. We’re also rising to the College can once again be at the heart of to the first edition challenge of being price competitive by the customer community it serves, driving of ‘Hotline’, our offering significant price reductions for great value and providing the hub around new look Fire customers collaborating and aggregating which we all collaborate to build safer, Service College demand, for longevity of commitment stronger communities. I hope you’ll find newsletter. This and for committing to development something new within this first edition and represents an pathways for individuals and/or groups. I hope it makes you call us. To change, important new we need to listen; and it’s our customers strand in our We’re also finding ways to drive out that need to be talking. To find out more, communications replicated costs across the sector, by please don’t hesitate to contact me at strategy designed to keep you committing to building a series of shared [email protected] informed about the changes services offerings for back office functions. we have made, and continue The first of these is our Research, to make, at the College. Development, Technology and Innovation (RDTI) Hub, which is featured inside. There’s no doubting that our customers This initiative is designed to drive elective are experiencing an unprecedented participation in shared services where all period of change. Austerity measures participants drive savings by sharing in are continuing to lower available budgets a common, centralised capability. Most concurrent with an ever-increasing range importantly, we’re committed to open of prevention and response capabilities, book accounting and capped margins, which need to be developed and so, as volumes grow, the savings are maintained. We were all saddened and passed back to our customers. appalled by the recent atrocities in Paris. They serve as a poignant reminder of our great reliance on the skills, courage and professionalism of our security and emergency services should there ever be such a similar attack in the UK.

There’s never been a more important time for the College to play its full role in helping its customers to achieve their immensely challenging objectives. To do that, the College is changing.

Firstly, we’re changing the way we help you to deliver the right training to your organisation. We’re taking a

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National initiative, National Resilience #BornReady RDTI Hub local solution Building the UK’s On-call firefighter Facilitating R&D to How one size capability recruitment and drive innovation across can fit all training solutions the sector Meet the team Putting theory Reflecting the new strategic direction Emerging threats of the Fire Service College (FSC), into practice Martin Thomas is joined in the new Reducing risk through multi-agency collaboration senior management team by Bernie Higgins, Director of Training, and by Ron Dobson CBE, QFSM, FIFireE, Commissioner, London Fire Brigade Whilst Local Resilience Forums Simon Murphy, Commercial Director. have a duty to develop plans to Simon Waterworth, who has been Ron Dobson became London Fire Commissioner in mitigate against identified risks with the College since 2013, continues 2007 having risen through the ranks since joining the relevant to their communities, in his role as Finance Director. The Brigade in 1979. In 1996 as Divisional Commander, there are few opportunities to new structure forms part of the Ron was one of the first senior officers at the scene of practise in realistic, real time College’s planned evolution and the Canary Wharf bomb blast where he coordinated training scenarios alongside other reinforces our organisational focus. Simon Waterworth, Martin Thomas, Sir Ken Knight, Simon Murphy, Bernie Higgins the painstaking search of the incident. He has been emergency responders. The Fire central to the preparations for responding to the threat Service College is committed We are also extremely fortunate to Sir Ken brings many years of extensive Several other new positions have also of terrorism, working closely with the Government to supporting the UK’s counter- benefit from the support of Sir Ken industry knowledge and experience been created, further supporting the and our partners. During the 2005 London bombings he was the Brigade’s terrorism capabilities through Knight, a leading light in the fire with him, as former London Fire College’s strong focus on training Senior Operational Commander. Ron was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service hosting complex, large-scale, and rescue sector, who fulfils the Commissioner and the first Chief Fire delivery, product management, Medal in 2005 and was awarded a CBE in the 2011 New Year honours. multi-agency practical exercises role of non-executive Chairman. and Rescue Adviser to the Government. marketing, sales and bid management. to test and revise theoretical Recent tragic events in Paris have Following the Mumbai attacks in 2008, ConOps on its unique incident demonstrated yet again just how London Fire Brigade led a programme ground – replicating a wide range much the modern terrorist threat has to develop a multi-agency Concept of of emergency situations. Actively changed in recent years. The use of a Operations (ConOps) for the response supporting thought leadership National initiative, local solution number of multiple methods of attack should such an attack occur in the in the interoperability arena, the within the same scenario means that UK. From this, extensive testing and College works with JESIP policy Systematic approach to training, tailored to your needs responding agencies have to work training was carried out at the Fire makers to develop best practice more closely together than ever Service College, enabling further and new ways of working, At a recent CFOA FRS Council event Different courses create potential before to mitigate the risks faced by refining of plans. Lessons learned delivered through a range of hosted at the College, as well as at the for differing methods and standards, today’s society. Deadly multi-sited from subsequent terrorist attacks tailor-made courses, including: Public Accounts Committee meeting leading to the potential for error. How attacks using explosives, firearms continue to feed in to ensure that the in November, a number of common can an FRS assure against that? and, in some cases fire, present UK is as best prepared as possible. themes were addressed. New initiatives huge challenges for emergency Multi-Agency Gold Incident to drive out replicated costs across The College has now adopted the responders and communities alike. The National Inter-Agency Liaison Command (MAGIC) the sector was one of them. The JSP822 standard for the development Officer (NILO) capability and the Joint A tri-service venture between primary suggestion was the pooling of all future training courses. JSP822 The September 11th attacks in the Emergency Service Interoperability the Fire Service College, of common functions into some form defines a process known as ‘DSAT’ USA were considered a watershed Principles (JESIP) also both came College of Policing and National of ‘shared services’ capability, where (Defence Systems Approach to in terrorist activity, designed to inflict into being from lessons learned from Ambulance Resilience Unit, this each participating Fire and Rescue Training), which is a military grade the maximum achievable number exercises and incidents (such as 7th course focuses on strategic Service (FRS) would fund a share of process by which training courses Benefits of the DSAT process: of fatalities and casualties. Whilst July London Bombings). Designed to activities with Category 1 Blue a common service offered to all. are defined, designed and developed terrorist attacks were already a help develop a joint understanding of Light responders, local authority through an iterative and interactive • Develops the principles reality, never before had casualty risk and shared situational awareness, and partner agencies, including The costs of developing and maintaining series of steps leading from the of ‘common’ and ‘local’ or fatality numbers been realised these initiatives have improved the level government departments training content is one such area, where definition of a requirement. needs into a single course to on such an unprecedented scale. of coordination in responses to major and the Ministry of Defence. many FRSs each develop their own support differences in local incidents, including acts of terrorism. materials to be delivered by their own This will enable the development of a operating environments. Since then the UK Fire and Rescue National Inter-Agency instructors. The collective cost to the single course comprising a common Service has been working very closely Whilst effective interoperability relies Liaison Officer (NILO) public purse ought to be the cost of core, but that also respects local • Allows measurability of with multi-agency partners and on many factors, the ability to jointly A unique multi-agency course developing any course once. Of course requirements, where applicable. the operational impact government departments to ensure prepare before an emergency situation developed in partnership there’s always the argument that local of the training. that the national response to any is essential. The key to an effective with the Association of Chief needs or ‘localisms’ justify the need So what does it all mean? One potential incident will save as many multi-agency response at the operational Police Officers and National – but is this truly necessary? Is there course that everybody uses. One • Provides a clear audit trail lives as possible, whilst also enabling and tactical levels is in ensuring regular Ambulance Resilience Unit, a better, more cost effective model? course that provides savings to all from operational guidance a swift return to normality alongside training and sharing of information NILO is designed specifically who choose to use it. Assurance of and national occupational the hunt for the perpetrators. between emergency services, whilst at to bridge the interoperability There is also the question of intra- the best possible training content standards through to the strategic level the ability to exercise gap across the emergency operability. When considering and standards, plus assurance of delivery of training and All of the emergency services plans through resilience forums is services in extreme or emerging the issue of mutual aid, any two intra-operability with other FRSs. the competent officer. contribute to the UK’s Counter critical. Closer collaboration in this way threat environments. Hosted or more FRSs need to consider To find out more, please contact Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST). can prevent an incident from becoming by the Fire Service College, the operating standard to which Paul Crowe, Sales Manager, at CONTEST encompasses four a crisis through minimising damage this course is delivered by their people have been trained. [email protected] strands: Pursue, Prevent, Protect to the environment and disruption to London Fire Brigade. and Prepare; with the UKFRS playing the economy and, most importantly, a key role in the latter three. protecting public and responder safety.

2 HOTLINE ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk 3 Building National Resilience USAR capabilities by Bernie Higgins – Director of Training, Fire Service College Since being awarded a two-year contract We are currently working with a by Dan Stephens – Chief Fire Officer, by Department for Communities and Local number of FRSs to deliver our Government (DCLG) to deliver National training on a more local, user-friendly Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Resilience training, we have been focusing basis, providing further options and on our programme of implementation. opportunities to make it easier for you The UK’s USAR capability has recently The IOC can be supplemented by The College was awarded all three Lots to train with us. We aim to collaborate been subject to a joint review between additional Urban Search & Rescue before within the Bid, which included Detection with FRSs to bring our training to your DCLG and CFOA. This has resulted (USAR) groups as necessary to form a Identification and Monitoring, Urban local venues, at times to suit you, whilst in a reconfiguration of the capability Full Operating Capacity (FOC) – a two Search and Rescue and Instructor continuing to guarantee the same to deliver an effect very similar to group deployment. All deployed units will training in High Volume Pumping, level of high quality training, for which that of a USAR Heavy Classified be relieved by an additional ten personnel Enhanced Logistical Support, Mass the College is already renowned. Team for international deployment. from each team after 12 hours, allowing Decontamination and Powered Respirator the FOC to be sustained for ten days. Protective Suits. Our programme At the College we are proud of our Twenty USAR teams are in place across covers specialist technical training for good working relationships with England and Wales, hosted by 17 In the event of concurrent incidents Bernie has over 30 years’ firefighters and other emergency workers DCLG and the Chief Fire Officers’ FRSs (four of these being located in the initial two groups deployed can experience with London Fire responding to incidents affecting the Association (CFOA) and we know that London). West Sussex FRS also hosts be supplemented by the remaining Brigade, where he was Deputy national infrastructure, such as major having well-trained competent staff a USAR team with half the number of available groups. If necessary a domestic Assistant Commissioner until building collapse, chemical/biological/ is a cornerstone of effective National personnel, having the unique role of response can be supplemented by his retirement in 2012. As Head radiological/nuclear attack or flooding. Resilience capabilities. We are keen logistics management. With England international teams secured through of Special Operations, Bernie to play our part alongside these key and Wales split into four response bilateral arrangements (Foreign planned responses to major Designed to reflect UKFRS requirements, partners to ensure that we deliver zones, each containing five teams, and Commonwealth Office), the and catastrophic incidents our training incorporates best practice best practice in all of our training. Dan was appointed Chief Fire each team must provide a USAR EU Community Mechanism for and played a significant part identified by each capability. Course places Officer of Merseyside FRS in unit (consisting of ten technicians) Civil Protection (Civil Contingencies in redefining the FRS’s role are funded via DCLG, based on National The College already has considerable September 2011, having first available at all times. In addition, each Secretariat), the United Nations within the government’s Resilience Training Needs Analysis, and experience in delivering this particular joined up in January 1990, USAR team will host a search dog (Department for International counter-terrorist CONTEST non-funded places on every course type of training, since the inception following time with the Parachute team (canine and handler) and at Development) or North Atlantic strategy, introducing the role are also available, once funded places of specialist National Response Regiment. He has served in all least two Tactical Advisors (TacAd). Treaty Organisation (NATO) of National Inter-Agency have been allocated. It is very important teams in the UK in 2005, and we operational roles with Merseyside (Ministry of Defence). Liaison Officer to UKFRS that DCLG funded course places are are committed to supporting FRSs FRS and also spent two years In the event of a major incident involving and ambulance services, allocated quickly and taken up as we have in this area into the future. We will as an instructor at the Training a structural collapse, all five USAR teams enabling more effective very limited ability to reschedule course be reviewing and updating our and Development Academy. in the affected zone will mobilise a unit planning and response to places. We’d like to emphasise to all of training programme to ensure that Dan’s involvement with National including search dog team and TacAd terrorist incidents. As Deputy the UKFRS that this change to the course the courses we offer continue to Resilience dates back to 2004 (subject to availability) to form a USAR Lead Officer for Chemical, allocation process represents a significant provide best value to the UKFRS. when he set up the Merseyside group. This will consist of a minimum of Biological, Radiological, difference from previous arrangements. USAR team, since which time 50 personnel and at least one search Nuclear (Explosives) CBRN(E) he has represented Merseyside dog team and TacAd – known as the for the UKFRS, Bernie worked FRS and the CFOA North West Initial Operating Capacity (IOC). with multi-agency partners region on what was initially the and government departments USAR Tactical and Strategic to ensure that UK CBRN(E) Management Groups and more response was fit for purpose, latterly the National Working and planned and implemented Group. He was appointed the FRS response to Assistant Chief Fire Officer in marauding terrorism. He also July 2010 when he took on the played a key role in reshaping role as CFOA USAR Capability the UK emergency/military Lead Officer. Dan is the CFOA response as Strategic Advisor strategic lead for National for CBRN(E) within CFOA Resilience having previously National Resilience, and been the strategic lead for represented the UKFRS on Technical Response. He chairs CBRN(E) PPE programme the National Resilience Board and and project boards. represents National Resilience at the Strategic Resilience Board.

4 HOTLINE ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk 5 Looking to the future Sir Ken Knight served over 40 years in the UK Fire & Rescue Service. During his career he was the Learning & Development Hub by Sir Ken Knight CBE QFSM FIFireE, Chief of three fire and rescue services, including the Chairman of the Fire Service College post of London Fire Commissioner. In 2007 he was Less than a decade ago it seemed awarded the USA Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year Increased training efficiency through new collaborative model that all of the benefits of common award – the only time this has been given to a fire operational training, competence and chief outside North America. In the same year he With the role of fire and rescue services but also add value. Our expanding public expectation for interoperability became the UK Government’s Chief Fire & Rescue at the heart of public safety, never has portfolio of services and modularised which is expected of a modern fire and Adviser, which he undertook until completion it been more important to find new, and distributed delivery model rescue service might be lost through of the London Olympics in 2012. In 2013 he was effective and sustainable ways of offers a bespoke services plan, the closure of the Fire Service College. commissioned to undertake an efficiencies review maintaining and improving standards aligned to specific resource and The College itself was showing of the fire and rescue services in England. from a declining budget. The College training needs, and designed to signs of reduction in investment and is committed to identifying innovative optimise return on investment whilst lacking key customer focus for its One of the exciting developments This initiative is helpfully providing models of training delivery to help ensuring the safety of your crews. outputs at the very time austerity was is the offer by the College to engage significant benefits from the promote the benefits and efficiencies taking hold on public expenditure. Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) economies of scale and higher of cross-sector collaboration. Developed by our specialist design on multiple-year terms which offer utilisation being passed onto the team to national standards, our courses The significant step the Government medium-term planning advantages to FRA who additionally can achieve We are in the process of developing are accredited by a range of bodies took to outsource the College to both the College and the client base. both revenue and capital savings. a new Learning & Development Hub including SFJ Awards and, where private sector ownership was in no In these times of austerity, there is a (L&D Hub), aimed at supporting the Focusing efforts on areas identified as appropriate, approved by CFOA. small part due to the support from both clear argument for pooling national The College has come a long way UKFRS by offering simple yet creative high priority, we are working with our Learners are trained and assessed by the Local Government Association resources to leverage existing since the start of its new life, free of training solutions to help meet today’s customers to design and align training competent Fire Service professionals, and the Chief Fire Officers Association. infrastructure, avoiding the need its previous constraints yet building complex challenges. The L&D Hub will course content across our Firefighter providing managers, Chief Fire Officers In less than three years since the for additional, and often duplicate, on its well respected brand. It is enable the College to facilitate training Foundation Development Programme, and Fire Authorities with complete transfer of the College, many will local level capital investment. particularly encouraging to see the partnerships and greater collaboration Incident Command Level 1-4, Hazardous assurance of the training process. now have seen the benefits of the This medium-term engagement is College management team determined across and within defined regions. Materials and Core Skills to ensure first change, with significant infrastructure providing a greater opportunity for to listen to the fire sector to provide We will set up a joint FRS L&D Hub class training at very competitive pricing. To find out more about our new L&D Hub, investment on the site, a flexible the College to plan training the training and assurance that fire management board, with the objective We are looking to reintroduce core or if you wish to join the management customer requirement focus and a capabilities and resource and rescue services require and of jointly agreeing the most efficient progression courses, and are investing board, please email our Sales Manager at reinvigorated ‘buzz’ about the campus use, resulting in efficiencies the competence that the public approach to training across the sector, to define and deliver longer term [email protected] or call from both the customers and the staff. available to FRAs. expect of an emergency service. consistent with current needs. solutions which not only support 07808 014694.

opportunities to deliver significant just maintain the standards that From the outset it has been Alasdair Hay improvements to the services enjoyed previously existed however and clear that success would require was appointed 8-into-1 by the public. From the outset SFRS we’ve been ambitious in terms of maintaining local accountability the first Chief committed itself to providing every improving outcomes for the public and responsiveness. To that end, Officer of the How a combined Scottish FRS is community with more equitable access and making sure that we always use one of the key changes that reform Scottish Fire benefitting through joining forces to specialist resources and to providing best practice to inform our activities. legislated for was the introduction and Rescue firefighters in every part of Scotland with of dedicated local senior officers. Service in the Demonstrating how strategic state-of-the-art equipment and training. As a national service we aren’t autumn of collaboration can create greater limited by the internal boundaries These 17 posts provide a direct 2012 ahead of efficiencies, cost savings and protect The newly-designated SFRS that used to impact what resources link to the 32 local authorities in its launch the frontline services, the Scottish College – National Training Centre, would be available and where they Scotland – they’re accountable to following April. Fire and Rescue Service is already located at Cambuslang on the outskirts could be deployed. Now personnel, elected councillors and responsible His career began at Essex County seeing improvements through of Glasgow, provides a world-class equipment and other resources for producing a local plan for each Fire and Rescue in 1983, where centralised training and integrated facility for firefighters from Gretna can be sent wherever they’re authority. It’s also a vital link to he served until becoming a senior support functions. Chief Officer to Shetland. Complete with a fully needed and this is a real benefit to partner agencies on the ground instructor at the Scottish Fire Alasdair Hay QFSM explains. functioning replica village, high- both the public and our crews. In the two-and-a-half years since and means every community Services College in 1992. He joined rise flats, motorway, railway tunnel it came into being, SFRS has continues to benefit from a focus Tayside Fire and Rescue Service The launch of the Scottish Fire and and level-crossing, petro-chemical Reducing duplication and rationalising repeatedly been placed in the on its specific needs and two years later and rose to become Rescue Service (SFRS) in April 2013 plant and collapsed buildings, the buildings such as vehicle workshops spotlight, with several major incidents circumstances. Chief Officer before it merged with saw the country’s eight regional site provides realistic settings for and training facilities meant the needs of in Glasgow and wildfires in the Scotland’s other seven brigades brigades merge to form a single any number of rescue scenarios. the service throughout the country Highlands drawing the attention Our crews remain very much part to form a single nationwide organisation tasked with protecting could continue to be met. Along of people throughout the UK and of the communities they serve and service. He was awarded the frontline services at a time of deep We were very clear that we would with benefiting from economies of scale, further afield. Behind the scenes, the massive amount of prevention Queen’s Fire Service Medal in cuts to public sector spending. protect frontline services and deliver it produced significant savings without the service also played its part in and protection work they carry 2011 and leads the largest fire reform without any compulsory any reduction in either operational making sure international events out shows the importance we and rescue service in the UK, with Although prompted by necessity redundancies, both of which have capability or the preventative work like the Commonwealth Games place on keeping the public safe a workforce of more than 9,000 the wholesale change also created been achieved. It isn’t enough to done to keep communities safe. and Ryder Cup passed off safely. in every part of Scotland. firefighters and support staff.

6 HOTLINE ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk 7 Taking the concept further, what if data could be anonymised and Getting more for less published for all those participating #BornReady to share? This would enable you to These days everyone is always looking of an organisation, versus proposed see your true cost of training ranked Working in partnership to recruit and for new ideas to drive savings and get costs of a new approach, and can be alongside those of your peers to more for their money. At the College used for any proposed purchase. help you to gauge how effectively train on-call firefighters we are committed to bringing new cost your training strategy is working. saving ideas to our customers. At a More specifically we’re offering the time when we’re all being challenged opportunity for our customers to use To see how much you could potentially to constantly achieve more with less, it to help reveal your ‘true cost of be saving, and how you rank within we are investing in ways to bring training’, against which the College the wider FRS community, please rigour and process to the way in which will happily present a case for what contact us for a free of charge savings opportunities are evaluated. it might cost for those elements True Cost of Training survey. that we could provide. There is To this end, we have invested in a no cost for you to look at it and it new business case modelling tool won’t commit you to buy. If we can and would like to offer use of this demonstrate savings, we’ve got service to all of our customers – free something to talk about. Equally, if of charge. This tool will enable us to it shows that the true cost of your follow a consistent formula in how we own training is lower than our own, analyse the current costs of any part this helps to validate your strategy.

RDTI Hub Research | Development | Technology | Innovation

Striving for excellence. A shared The College is committed to supporting The RDTI Hub will be funded as a backdrop of a constantly evolving a new collaborative approach – to trust and led by a management board society, a wide range of external facilitate a centralised Research, including serving FRS representatives, and budgetary pressures, mutual Development, Technology & Innovation ensuring that the agenda is driven by The College is working in The weekend involved fitness and responsibility for provision of (RDTI) Hub designed to provide: requirements from within the sector and collaboration with Oxfordshire, practical assessments, including the services and rigid structures and offering a platform for all UK emergency Lincolnshire and Devon and National Firefighter Selection Tests, as core requirements. Together these • co-ordinated activities and services. Bringing together specialists Somerset Fire and Rescue Services well as insights to the roles of a firefighter create a need to drive forward reduced duplication from industry, academia, manufacturers, to provide a faster way of recruiting and the Fire & Rescue Service. “It was brilliant, the fact we used innovation. This is true across • prioritisation of requirements suppliers and other industry bodies, and training retained firefighters. the fire station, as it brought us all of the UK’s 46 independent, and projects the Hub will focus on the core and Fifty successful applicants returned together as a team. We helped publicly funded FRSs. • collaborative approach to common goals of the UKFRS across Supporting the recruitment aspect of to the College in September to start each other when struggling research and evaluation Prevention, Protection and Response the programme, the College ran a social their FFDP training spread over nine and socialised in the evenings. Research and Development is • shared resources and expertise and multi-agency interoperability. To find media advertising campaign which saw a weekends, which will see them qualify This then transferred to the fire essential in helping to identify • greater influence on out more, please contact Ian Adams huge interaction with potential candidates as firefighters, ready for immediate ground. The food is excellent solutions that enable you to both manufacturers and suppliers at [email protected] on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The active service on the fire appliance and and everyone is very helpful.” deliver today and plan for safe and • cost efficiencies through pooled #BornReady campaign attracted over in the community, in March 2016. effective services in the future. budgets and economies of scale 8000 people to a dedicated website “Our head instructor is brilliant. Many innovative solutions aimed • increased access to EU and – www.oncallfirefighter.co.uk – where Endorsed by the Chief Fire Officers’ He keeps training fun and relaxed at overcoming such pressures can technology funding they could find more information and Association (CFOA) and accredited but if you slack off at all he sure be attributed to this investment, complete an initial online application form. by SFJ Awards, the FFDP forms the lets you know! All the other however it is clear that, regardless very foundation of firefighter training. instructors have been great as of localisms, many core drivers for Almost 150 candidates were selected The FFDP can be completed over well. All very experienced and change are common across the to participate in an assessment an eight week period for whole-time genuinely wanting to help you sector. We recognise how hard it can weekend, held at the College, with firefighters or, for on-call firefighters, every way they can. They are all be for you to fund or influence changes the aim of securing a place on over a longer period on a modular basis. a credit to the Fire Service.” as effectively or quickly as you need to. the College Firefighter Foundation Development Programme (FFDP). “We have a great team, the course content is a good mix between “The first programme of its kind to launch in the UK – the campaign theory and practical elements. exceeded target response rates by 48%, as well as gaining attention The instructors are great and so are the facilities at the college!” outside the three participating counties”

8 HOTLINE ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk 9 Blue Light Pro Board Accreditation Innovation 2015 FSC approved as first Pro Board European Accredited Centre In safe hands The Blue Light Innovation 2015 Summit focused on improving Staying ahead in Prevention and Protection service delivery across the emergency services sector. Like most things in today’s fast that we are currently working to improve moving world, the Prevention and our Protection curriculum by adopting a Held at London’s QEII Centre Protection landscape is constantly more flexible approach to development in early November, the event changing. The need to keep pace and delivery. Wherever improvements are brought together over 300 with external pressures, including identified to our Fire Safety programmes representatives from across advances in technology, the – either by formal customer review or fire, police, ambulance, introduction of, or amendments to, through listening to learner feedback – government, local authorities legislation and guidance, as well as changes will be agreed and implemented, and emergency responders shifting social factors, creates a need meaning that our courses always meet to examine how increased to continually evolve to keep pace. your ongoing and changing needs. collaboration, interoperability and technological innovation We recognise the criticality of monitoring We are also adapting the way that we to use their previous development can ultimately save more lives. our Fire Safety courses against this offer our programmes, ensuring that links towards gaining the nationally dynamic landscape to ensure that they to nationally accredited qualifications recognised L3 and L4 Fire Safety Officer The College’s stand in the remain relevant and effective. Working are developed and flexibility is being Qualifications through Recognition Chief Jim Estepp presents the College with the Accreditation Certificate exhibition area proved to be a with the necessary industry bodies to built into how the qualifications can be of Prior Experience and Learning. great platform for discussion keep abreast of new requirements and, achieved. This is being well received by The. Fire Service College has of Fire Chiefs, Chief Jim Estepp, following a well-attended seminar where possible, ahead of them, our our learners, and also by their parent Qualification pathways are presently being become the first centre in visited the College to present the presented by Bernie Higgins, courses are regularly updated to ensure organisations, who like the option to developed in a number of areas including Europe to achieve Pro Board Accreditation Certificate, saying: Director of Training. Looking that all programmes reflect the latest have cost-effective training delivered Enforcement and Fire Investigation. We accreditation to certify to the US “The use of National Fire Protection at ‘The challenge for effective business and operating environments. either on-site here at the College or at a are also talking to awarding organisations based National Fire Protection Association Professional Qualification multi-agency training’, the venue more local to their own premises. so that those programmes that do not Association (NFPA) Standards. Standards is gaining support session was attended by over The effective sharing of information is currently offer a qualification can be The NFPA is a leading world internationally as the number of Pro 60 delegates and outlined how a key part of any training event and, Another recent benefit is the ability to nationally accredited. Look out for news authority on fire prevention and Board Accredited Agencies outside closer collaboration between the reflecting our commitment to greater offer experienced Fire Safety Officers and of further developments to our Fire and safety. The accreditation is the of North America continue to grow. FSC and the College of Policing, collaboration, we are pleased to announce Local Authority Enforcers the opportunity Safety portfolio in future issues of Hotline. Pro Board stamp of approval of National Ambulance Resilience the College’s test certification “The achievement of the Fire Service Unit and the Emergency Planning processes and procedures which College to become accredited by the College would increase training tests the knowledge, skills and Pro Board as the first such agency effectiveness. The presentation abilities of learners wishing to be in Europe is a prime example of also showcased our multi-agency certified to NFPA standards. The the greater acceptance of NFPA capabilities and new RDTI Hub. specific NFPA standards that the Professional Qualifications Standards Take command College can test against are: and Pro Board Accreditation Thank you to all those who came worldwide as the benchmark for to visit us on the stand and we The skills of leadership and incident to both train and test these skills • NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Emergency Services credentialing. look forward to catching up with command are at the core of any can not only be hard to find, they Professional qualifications For the Fire Service College this you again at next year’s event. emergency incident. The ability to can also be complex, expensive is an accomplishment that will effectively command a dynamic and time consuming to set up. • NFPA 472 Standard for resonate around the world.” and potentially volatile emergency Competence of Responders situation is not only expected by At the College we are currently to Hazardous Materials This accreditation underlines the the victims directly affected by it, reviewing our incident command suite Guidance and National Occupational Incidents – Awareness Level College’s position as a leading but also by the crews under their of courses – focusing in particular on Standards is also offered, designed provider of firefighter training both at guidance. Scrutinisation from peers, Levels 1 and 2 – to move towards to further improve performance. • NFPA 472 Standard for home and abroad. It acknowledges the public and the legal system a more practical and experiential Competence of Responders that the FSC is working to the bring an added dimension to learning-based approach. With the We are also looking to rebalance our to Hazardous Materials most widely recognised fire and today’s operating environment. ability to stage a wide range of realistic training away from addressing solely Incidents – Operations Core prevention standards in the world and immersive exercises across command processes, to encompass with Missions Specific PPE – now including those of the North With the number of emergency calls very different incidents (including a broader range of leadership skills and Product Control Levels American Fire and Rescue Services. falling year on year, opportunities to domestic, commercial building and such as communication, assertion and Pro Board approval will open up practise and hone command skills ship fires, road traffic collisions and motivation, as well as the personal In recognition of the achievement, new opportunities, allowing us to in real-life situations are diminishing, train crashes), we can offer learners qualities and attributes that underpin the Pro Board Chairman of Board extend our training delivery to new increasing the need for refresher the most varied experience possible. command decision making. See the of Directors and former President and existing international customers. training. However, large-scale exercises Feedback against National Operational next issue of Hotline for further updates. of the International Association Copyright GOVNET 2015

10 HOTLINE ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk 11 Food for thought Continuing our programme of renovation across the campus, we have recently transformed our Connections Restaurant. The new servery provides a hot and cold food service every day catering for all dietary and religious requirements, including a trattoria offering freshly cooked pizza and pasta, a spice island serving food from around the world and a fresh salad bar with a selection of cold meats, cheeses and fish. Other additions include a traditional counter for those seeking home-cooked comforts, roast meats, fish and vegetarian dishes, helping to make it a ‘home from home’ for those staying with us.

This latest refurbishment is testament to Suzanne Prince, Sales Associate for W L Gore, Organiser Dr Anne Eyre and Andrew Lynch FIRE editor the investment we are making in building a true Centre of Excellence for fire and emergency services training in the UK. Successful Re15 at the FSC These new facilities align our catering service with our new high standard on- Underlining our commitment to support The Best Poster Presentation was site accommodation and are a tangible research and innovation across the awarded to Greater Manchester Fire demonstration of the continuous sector, another successful Research and Rescue Service for its Post Incident improvements we are making at the College Event (Re15) took place at the College Research Programme, a joint project to create a memorable and enjoyable on 12 November. Each year the Annual with the University of Salford aimed at experience for delegates and visitors alike. Conference on Fire-Related Research reducing fires in the home. and Developments brings together delegates from a range of backgrounds Organiser Dr Anne Eyre said: “With including fire and rescue services, stakeholders being keener than ever to senior policy makers, universities, link research with best practice across consultants and international the fire world, we are looking forward to organisations. The event provides an marking the twentieth anniversary of this opportunity for delegates to share best annual event in 2016: watch this space!”. practice and learn from a range of approaches and perspectives on key The conference also provided a platform topical issues. for the College to introduce our new RDTI Hub, paving the way for future The Gore/Fire Award was presented to discussions on how we can work more Coventry University for its development effectively with other stakeholders across of a situational judgement test to the sector to realise greater combined assess operational preparedness. benefits through closer collaboration.

Upcoming events Stop Press!.. Come and visit us at the following exhibitions We are delighted to publish the Intersec Dubai 17-19 January 2016 Fire Service College Prospectus for 2016. Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre Download a copy from our website at LGA Annual Fire Conference & Exhibition 8-9 March 2016 www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk Bristol City Centre Marriott Hotel

The Fire Service College

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