The Fire Standards Board (FSB) Announces The Launch Of The Leadership And People Fire Standards

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) is delighted to announce the launch of its Leadership and People Fire Standards: Leading the Service and Leading and Developing People. 

Both Fire Standards have been developed to support services in strengthening professionalism and leadership at all levels of their organization, encouraging more positive working environments for the benefit of their people and the community they serve. 

Leading the Service Fire Standard

The Leading the Service Fire Standard was developed to clearly articulate the expectations on those who lead"

The Leading the Service Fire Standard was developed to clearly articulate the expectations on those who lead within services, particularly their behaviors, ethics and the activities required to lead well in an ever change world. 

The Leading and Developing People Fire Standard is focused on how services should attract and retain a competent workforce that is diverse, motivated, and engaged. The standard also puts an emphasis on workforce development, health and well-being.

Both standards benchmarked against leadership standards

The development of these standards was led by the NFCC Vice-Chair and Chief Fire Office, Justin Johnston, and NFCC Lead for Leadership, Chief Fire Officer, Wayne Bowcock. Many contributions were received from leaders at all levels from within UK fire and rescue services, as well as leadership experts and peers from outside the service. 

Both standards have been benchmarked against recognized leadership standards but, as with all Fire Standards, have been put into a context suitable for fire and rescue services.

In combination with other Fire Standards such as the Code of Ethics and Safeguarding, the Fire Standards Board (FSB) is aiming to ensure services are equipped to operate well in often challenging and changing environments.

Gap Analysis Tools to support services with implementation

The tools help services in both assessing how well they currently meet the standards

As with all Fire Standards, there are corresponding Gap Analysis Tools to support services with implementation. The tools help services in both assessing how well they currently meet the standards, as well as considering any additional actions that may be required for them to achieve the standards.

The Chair of the Fire Standards Board (FSB), Suzanne McCarthy said “The two Leadership and People Fire Standards are a significant step forward in helping services deliver the right behaviors and values across fire and rescue services. They build on our increasing suite of standards, which together support and enable services to drive continuous improvement.”

Publication of the Leadership and People Fire Standards

Suzanne McCarthy adds, “I want to thank all the individuals and services for their contributions towards the content of these standards. Like the others published, these have been developed by the service for the service, acknowledging and incorporating what good looks like.”

Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham said: “The NFCC welcomes the publication of the Leadership and People Fire Standards. They will become an important part of how services shape their leadership and workforces in the future, underpinned by much of the existing and future guidance, tools and leadership development programs developed and led by the NFCC. Thank you to all of those who were involved in the development of these pivotal standards.”