Draft National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services: integrated impact assessment

The Welsh Government is consulting on a new National Framework for Fire and Rescue Services in Wales. 

The Welsh Ministers are required by section 21 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 to publish a Framework containing priorities and objectives for Fire and Rescue Authorities. The current version dates from 2016, and while much of its content remains valid, it does not cover several important changes in the strategic context since then.

In particular, there are several current developments which may well tend to increase the likelihood and severity of fires and other incidents in new and unpredictable ways. These include climate change, demographic ageing, technological advancement, changes in the built environment (including the lessons of the Grenfell Tower fire), and the global security position. The Framework sets out these issues and the need for the Service to adapt and respond to them. It also addresses concerns about workplace culture and governance in the Service and describes action that is needed to address them.

The Welsh Government’s Social Partnership Forum for Fire and Rescue Services has been engaged in developing the draft Framework.  It includes the three Chief Fire Officers, the Chairs of the FRAs, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Commissioners, all recognised trade unions representing firefighters and other FRA staff, and the Welsh Local Government Association. This has involved formal discussion at Forum meetings and bilateral  meetings between officials and certain Forum members. 

This impact assessment should be read in conjunction with the draft Framework. 

1. How have people most likely to be affected by the proposal been involved in developing it?

The draft Framework will most directly affect Fire and Rescue Services and their staff. The Welsh Government’s Social Partnership Forum for Fire and Rescue Services has been engaged in developing the draft.  It includes the three Chief Fire Officers, the Chairs of the FRAs, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Commissioners, all recognised trade unions representing firefighters and other FRA staff, and the Welsh Local Government Association. This has involved formal discussion at Forum meetings and bilateral  meetings between officials and certain Forum members.

2. What are the most significant impacts, positive and negative?

The Integrated Impact Assessment has raised no issues associated with the social well-being of people and communities in Wales or on Wales’ cultural well-being or on the Welsh Language. Neither has it raised any issues on the economic well-being of businesses and the public, the Environment, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child or the Tackling Poverty agenda.

The draft Framework has no effect on the Well-being of Future Generations goals or ways of working at this stage.  It has been developed, however, in line with the five ways of working in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

3. In light of the impacts identified, how will the proposal: 

• maximise contribution to our well-being objectives and the 7 well-being goals;  and/or,
• avoid, reduce or mitigate any negative impacts?

No impacts have been identified.

4. How will the impact of the proposal be monitored and evaluated as it progresses and when it concludes?

We will keep the effect of the Framework under review as part of the ongoing process of evaluating and inspecting the FRSs’ compliance with it and their wider standards of performance and corporate governance.