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139W
Written Answers
26 OCTOBER 2009
Written Answers
140W
The current Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) National
Framework for 2008 to 2010 was published May 2008.
The Department issues FRS circulars, the majority
of which provide important information or guidance on
expectations set out within the National Framework. A
table listing the 62 circulars issued to date for 2009 has
been deposited in the Library of the House.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what recent
guidance his Department has issued to fire authorities
on Community Risk Management. [292825]
Mr. Malik: Fire and Rescue Authorities produce
Community Risk Plans as part of the Integrated Risk
Management Planning process.
FRAs are required by the Fire and Rescue Service
National Framework to have in place and maintain an
Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) which reflects
local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both
existing and potential risks to communities. The IRMP
enables the authority to tailor cover for fire and other
incidents to local circumstances—evaluating where risk
is greatest and allocating resource accordingly.
A range of guidance on the drawing up of IRMPs
has been issued to FRAs and is available on the
Communities and Local Government website.
FRAs are also required by the National Framework,
in drawing up their IRMPs, to have regard to the risk
analyses completed by Local and Regional Resilience
Forums including those reported in external Community
Risk Registers (CRRs) and internal risk registers, to
ensure that civil and terrorist contingencies are captured
in their IRMP.
The Cabinet Office issues guidance in the form of the
Local Risk Assessment Guidance which contains
information on generic hazards and threats that should
assist to CAT 1 responders (including the fire and
rescue service) in performing their risk assessment duties
required under the Civil Contingencies Act.
Fire Research Academy
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what funding his
Department has allocated for the establishment of the
Fire Research Academy. [292591]
Mr. Malik: Pump-priming of a sector led ‘Fire Research
Academy’ is included in this year’s Fire and Resilience
Directorate research programme, which was drawn up
in consultation with stakeholders.
Funding is not yet allocated to it and will be dependent
upon the sustainability of any business proposal put
forward, the level of sector support and ministerial
consideration.
Fire Services
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what recent
guidance his Department has issued to fire and rescue
authorities on (a) the reconfiguration of fire services,
(b) the use of retained firefighters by fire services and
(c) fire station closures. [292711]
Mr. Malik: Decisions on issues such as the provision
of fire services and the closure of fire stations are taken
by individual Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) as
part of the Integrated Risk Management Planning process.
FRAs are required by the Fire and Rescue Service
National Framework to have in place and maintain an
Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) which reflects
local need and sets out plans to tackle effectively both
existing and potential risks to communities. The IRMP
enables the authority to tailor cover for fire and other
incidents to local circumstances—evaluating where risk
is greatest and allocating resources, accordingly. That
would include decisions regarding the appropriate
deployment of all firefighters including those working
on the retained duty system.
A range of guidance on the drawing up of IRMPs
has been issued to FRAs and is available on the
Communities and Local Government website.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government with reference to
page 13 of his Department’s Resource Accounts for
2008-09, HC 449, for what reasons the FireLink project
has been delayed; what assessment he has made of the
implications for fire services of such a delay; and if he
will make a statement. [294666]
Mr. Malik: The primary reason for the delays to the
Firelink project arose from the contractor’s under-estimate
of the time required to enhance the resilience of their
network. All Fire and Rescue Services excepting two are
now migrated onto the Firelink system; Shropshire and
London are scheduled to be migrated by March 2010.
Fire Services: Industrial Disputes
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government what assessment
was made of the merits of using employment
legislation to prohibit industrial action by the Fire
Brigades Union on public safety grounds during the
Iraq conflict in 2003. [292631]
Mr. Malik: The legal implications of the industrial
action by the Fire Brigades Union were kept under
review throughout the dispute, including the period
before and after the start of the Iraq conflict in March
2003. As indicated by the Solicitor-General on 19 December
2002, Official Report, column 943W, the Attorney-General
has the power to apply to the court for an injunction to
prevent threatened breaches of the criminal law. It is the
Attorney-General’s duty to keep under constant review
the question whether to exercise this power.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government which fire
authorities in Wales have entered into contracts with
private sector companies to provide fire cover in the
event of industrial action. [292748]
Mr. Hain: I have been asked to reply.
Matters relating to the fire service in Wales are devolved
to the Welsh Assembly Government.
The three chief fire officers in Wales have advised
that none of the fire authorities in Wales have entered
into contracts with private sector companies to provide
fire cover in the event of industrial action.