Approved Standards

A fire and rescue service which has embedded and is committed to the ethical principles and professional behaviours contained in the Core Code of Ethics (Core Code) and in so doing generates a more positive working culture and continuously improves the quality of service to the public. 

This is evidenced by the attitudes and conduct of those who lead and all who work for, or on behalf of, the service and that the service operates according to corporate ethical business practices. 

For all employees who drive using blue lights and claim any legal exemptions for a fire and rescue service purpose, to have been trained in a consistent way so that they drive safely, in line with the requirements of their role and in accordance with relevant legislation.

For all response driver training instructors and assessors to be qualified in accordance with the relevant legislation.

A fire and rescue service that delivers effective, efficient and valid fire investigations into the origin, cause and development of fire to continually improve the safety of its community and its employees.

It has a competent and resilient capability to undertake fire investigations, either through direct employment or in collaboration with other services. It works with interested parties so that investigations are consistently conducted in accordance with the relevant legislation, guidance and codes of practice and conduct.

A service that effectively collates and analyses information obtained through the fire investigation process which leads to:

a better understanding of the origin and cause of fire;
a better understanding of how buildings and people behave in relation to fire;
the identification of risks to inform its Community Risk Management Planning and contribute to the improvement of its prevention and protection strategies;
improvements to firefighter safety and operational response;
the identification and sharing of learning to continually improve local and national fire investigation practices; and
better support justice system processes and other interested parties or agencies, where appropriate.

A service, through having achieved the appropriate accreditation when required, may support the criminal justice system by undertaking investigations of deliberately caused fires. It may do this in conjunction with police crime scene investigators, other interested parties or both.

A fire and rescue service with competent operational and fire control personnel, who have been trained to use the hazard and control measure approach provided in the National Operational Guidance, applying risk assessment, decision-making and risk management skills.

Operational competence provides the structure for a safe and effective response to emergencies, whether:

• As a single service
• Working with other local or regional fire and rescue services
• Working with the National Resilience capabilities
• Working in a multi-agency structure

The Health and Safety Executive publication, Managing for health and safety, states:

“Competence is the ability to undertake responsibilities and perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular basis. It combines practical and thinking skills, knowledge and experience.”

The same publication also states:

“The competence of individuals is vital, whether they are employers, managers, supervisors, employees or contractors, especially those with safety-critical roles. It ensures they recognise the risks in their activities and can apply the right measures to control and manage those risks.”

A fire and rescue service that has developed a learning culture, acting on learning from operational and non-operational activity as well as external sources, to improve their operational response. The service will have embedded the management of learning into their policies, procedures, tailored guidance and training.

The service will have developed a culture which seeks to share their learning with others to improve operational response within their own service; with other fire and rescue services; and with the wider sector if appropriate.

A fire and rescue service that is prepared for responding to emergencies, as identified through its risk management planning. Operational preparedness includes having in place:

• Competent operational and fire control personnel
• Appropriate resources, vehicles, equipment and systems
• Comprehensive operational policies, procedures, tailored guidance and training

Operational preparedness includes being able to safely and effectively respond to emergencies, whether:

• As a single service
• Working with other local or regional fire and rescue services
• Working with the National Resilience capabilities
• Working in a multi-agency structure

A fire and rescue service that works to educate its communities to adopt safer behaviours, improving their safety, health and wellbeing. One that reduces community related risks identified through its community risk management planning and reduces incidents through delivering effective, efficient and targeted prevention activities.

A service with a learning and sharing culture, working collaboratively with others where appropriate, seeking to improve and innovate prevention activities. One that contributes to a more consistent national approach to reducing risk and keeping communities safe.

A fire and rescue service that improves the safety and wellbeing of its communities by reducing risks and incidents in the built environment. It does this through educating and regulating those responsible for keeping buildings safe to adopt safer behaviours and delivering proportionate and robust fire protection activities, complying with its statutory responsibilities.

One with a competent protection workforce which are targeted in line with its community risk management plan, utilising data and business intelligence to optimise resources. It proactively plans, responds and adapts to the diverse and changing needs of its community, ensuring its services are equally available to all.

A service with a learning and sharing culture, working collaboratively with others where appropriate, seeking to improve and innovate protection activities. One that contributes to a more consistent national approach to reducing risk and keeping communities safe.

A fire and rescue service that actively promotes the safeguarding of those in its community and its employees and volunteers. It works proactively to reduce the risk of abuse, harm and neglect.

One that is compliant with safeguarding legislation, understanding and effectively fulfilling its obligations and responsibilities to its Local Safeguarding Adults Boards and Local Safeguarding Children’s Board or Partnership.

A service whose employees and volunteers are trained, supported and empowered to respond to safeguarding needs, appropriate to their roles and responsibilities.

A service that collaborates appropriately with others to ensure a coordinated approach to safeguarding.