Independent Inspection of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

3.1 A dedicated resource should be tasked with the alignment of NIFRS policy and associated training to National Operational Guidance.

3.2 A Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) should be developed that accurately reflects risk, activity and demand across areas and across times of day. An Emergency Response Model that is aligned, or at least based on this CRMP should be developed.

3.3 Improvement to training systems and potential review of training structures should be introduced to ensure that staff are provided with risk critical training and development opportunities, aligned to a development pathway that resembles those in place across the UK.

3.4 A Strategic Workforce Plan (SWP) should be created that identifies and takes steps to fill vacancies across the organisation in a bid to provide stability (particularly across management cadre).

3.5 Appropriate investment should be made in IT systems that will improve efficiency in relation to support staff functions.

3.6 A clear set of priorities should be issued by Government in the form of a Fire Framework that sets expectations and priorities for the coming years.

3.7 A revised formal corporate planning process should be developed that includes a Strategic Plan (influenced by the CRMP, and aligned to the Fire Framework), Annual Operating Plans, Local Plans, Station Plans etc and an associated Performance Management Framework to measure progress against these plans.

3.8 Projects should be delivered through, or in association with, a programme office and appropriate programme management disciplines applied.

3.9 The definition of roles and responsibilities should be revised and clarified. Relevant training should be provided to ensure management and Board members act within the parameters of their respective roles.

3.10 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) must be a priority for all public services. NIFRS should take steps to review organisational culture to ensure that staff behaviours reflect the corporate values described in its strategic documents.

3.11 The DoH should establish arrangements for the ongoing scrutiny and inspection of the NIFRS by an appropriate, fully independent and operationally competent body.