The Chief Fire Officers Association

Publicity Line

CFOA agrees with the overall approach of the comprehensive area assessment process as a way forward, in partnership with an operational self assessment and peer assessment, to improve the fire and rescue service delivered to communities.  CFOA will continue to highlight the range of benefits that the FRS delivers in matters it is not automatically associated with,  such as anti-social behaviour and sustainability.

England

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

• CFOA actively supports the work of the national Fire CAA steering group in establishing the comprehensive area assessment for the fire and rescue service.

• CFOA strongly supports the need for fire and rescue authorities to conduct an operational self assessment and peer assessment to feed into the overall organisational assessment process.

• The Audit Commission have already stated that the assessment process will be less intensive if a mature and robust self and peer assessment on operational service delivery is conducted. CFOA will work to ensure that this happens.

• CFOA feels it is critical for fire and rescue authorities to highlight to the Audit Commission the vast range of partnership work that is being carried out, especially work that may not sit within specific  Local Area Agreements.

• The National Framework is clearly important for the fire and rescue services, but there needs to be an understanding that it is a starting point rather than finishing point for authorities; the National Framework acts as  the foundation for the service.

• CFOA will seek further clarification on how the Audit Commission will use area assessments when a FRA covers a broad range of areas.  Will the marks be amalgamated, employing a median score or a professional opinion?