The Fire Standards Board for England has published the Prevention Fire Standard setting out what fire and rescue services should be doing to keep communities safe from fire.
This is the seventh Fire Standard to be published and sits alongside the operational response Fire Standards released earlier this year. The Protection Fire Standard will be published in September 2021.
New Prevention Fire Standard published
Fire and rescue services will look to use the Prevention Fire Standard to ensure they are addressing community risk
Fire and rescue services will look to use the Prevention Fire Standard to ensure that they are addressing all areas of community risk, as they anticipate the next round of inspections from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue.
The Prevention Fire Standard sets out a list of nine elements that a fire and rescue service must be able to demonstrate.
This includes using data to identify those who are most at risk and target prevention activities, using a ‘person-based approach’ as part of their prevention strategy.
Fire Services must have competent staff to do the job
Fire and rescue services must have competent staff to do the job and there is a real emphasis on inclusivity and professionalizing those who engage and educate the community as well as collaborate with other organizations.
The Prevention Fire Standard embraces a culture of learning and evaluation, linking this to continuous improvement.
Fire Standards Board
The Fire Standards Board was established in 2019, with representatives from the NFCC
The Fire Standards Board was established in 2019, with representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), the Local Government Association and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners providing its strategic leadership.
Suzanne McCarthy is the independent Chair of the Board. Commenting on the publication of the Prevention Fire Standard, she said: “Ensuring that services target the right people when delivering prevention initiatives and effectively evaluate their work is essential to help reduce risks and prevent harm in our communities.”
New standard to clarify what is expected of fire services
Suzanne McCarthy adds, “Like all Fire Standards, this standard will help clarify what is expected of services to enable them to deliver the best service possible to the public, no matter where in England.”
Fire Minister - Lord Greenhalgh stated: “I am delighted that another Fire Standard is being launched to provide clear expectations and support to our fire and rescue services. This Prevention Standard sets the bar so that fire and rescue services can keep communities all over England safe by taking a consistent, targeted approach to stop fires from happening in the first place.”