Following the launch of the first four Fire Standards in February, the Fire Standards Board are pleased to announce the publication of the Code of Ethics Fire Standard.
Suzanne McCarthy, Chair of the Fire Standards Board (FSB), commenting on the publication of the Code of Ethics Fire Standard said:
“The Code of Ethics Fire Standard adds to the suite of professional Fire Standards now well underway which are being designed to help drive service improvement. They will also form the basis of future inspection judgements arrived at by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services in England.
The development of this standard was a priority for the Board as it recognised that ensuring the application of ethical principles across services was imperative and critical to achieving a more positive working environment and greater professionalism by those who work for, and on behalf of, the services.”
Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of the Core Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics Fire Standard.
“The Code of Ethics will not only help foster a positive and more diverse working culture so all those brave individuals in our fire and rescue services feel supported, but will also ensure the best possible service for communities by bolstering public trust in our excellent services.”
This Fire Standard is published alongside the Core Code of Ethics (Core Code). The Core Code has been developed in partnership by the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Local Government Association, and the Association of Police Crime Commissioners. The principles in the Core Code are based on the Seven Principles for Public Life, known as the Nolan principles, but tailored to suit the fire and rescue context.
The Code of Ethics Fire Standard sets out the desired outcome which requires services to embed and show their commitment to the ethical principles and professional behaviours contained in the Core Code. The standard outlines what is expected of services, what services must have in place to achieve the desired outcome and the expected benefits of achieving the standard.
For staff, services successfully achieving the Fire Standard will mean that no matter which service they work for, the core ethical principles they are expected to adopt and apply will be the same. Staff can feel confident that they can challenge behaviours that go against the principles and that injustices will be addressed.
The remaining Fire Standards included in the first phase of development and which are in production include:
- Community Risk Management Planning
- Prevention
- Fire Protection
- Well-Led Organisation
- Data Requirements and Management
The next phase of Fire Standards development will include:
- Safeguarding
- Fire Investigation
- Developing Leaders
- Emergency Planning and Resilience
- Workforce Management
The Board are proud of the fact this Fire Standard and all to come, have been developed by the services for the services, and they encourage all services and their employees to learn more and keep abreast of developments through the many channels available. You can follow the Board through Twitter @FireStandards
Access to consultations on future standards will all be available in the consultations area. The Board welcome all stakeholders to take part in these consultations as and when they take place.