Fire and Rescue Service
In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public
Safety is responsible for the development of policy and legislation and for monitoring of service delivery
for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service
(NIFRS). This
includes implementation of the reform and modernisation agenda emerging from the Bain
Report. This aspect of the Department’s work is the responsibility of
the Public Safety Unit (PSU), which is part of the Department’s Coordination Directorate.
(NIFRS). This
includes implementation of the reform and modernisation agenda emerging from the Bain
Report. This aspect of the Department’s work is the responsibility of
the Public Safety Unit (PSU), which is part of the Department’s Coordination Directorate.PSU liaises closely with the Department of Communities
and Local Government in London (DCLG), which is responsible for fire and rescue
service provision in England and Wales. The Unit also works closely with its counterpart in the Scottish
Government and also with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
and Department of Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland to enhance co-operation and joint working
between fire and other services in order to increase public safety in border areas.
in London (DCLG), which is responsible for fire and rescue
service provision in England and Wales. The Unit also works closely with its counterpart in the Scottish
Government and also with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
and Department of Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland to enhance co-operation and joint working
between fire and other services in order to increase public safety in border areas.An important aspect of public safety is emergency planning, another
of the Department’s public safety responsibilities. That is the responsibility of the Public
Health Policy Team in the Health Development Directorate, who also cover Health Promotion,
Disease Prevention and Health Protection.
Fire Safety and Fire and Rescue Services in Northern Ireland are carried
out under the Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006, which
came into effect in 2006. Funding of the service is by the Department through Grant in Aid. The
Department also commissions a range of reviews and surveys. This includes independent reviews
such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Scotland report (PDF 3.2MB) into the Northern
Ireland Fire and Rescue Service carried out in 2007.
, which
came into effect in 2006. Funding of the service is by the Department through Grant in Aid. The
Department also commissions a range of reviews and surveys. This includes independent reviews
such as Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Scotland report (PDF 3.2MB) into the Northern
Ireland Fire and Rescue Service carried out in 2007. There
is also a bi-annual Fire
Safety Survey (PDF 170KB) which provides statistical data about public awareness of fire safety
issues and fire safety campaigns undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service. This is used to inform
the Department about the success of those campaigns and also to assist the Fire and Rescue Service in
developing and promoting future fire safety awareness campaigns.
The
methodology for financial
accountability of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is contained in the Management
Statement Financial Management (MSFM) (PDF 699KB) agreed with the Department in November 2005.
The MSFM is currenly under review and a new version should be available on this web site in the
autumn of 2009.
Public Safety Unit responsibility includes:
- Drafting relevant Fire and Rescue Service legislation and any resulting secondary legislation covering matters such as the Firefighters’ Pension Schemes and Fire Safety legislation.
- Determining the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board’s performance framework in the light of its wider strategic aims and current Public Service Agreement objectives and targets
- Monitoring of Fire and Rescue Service policy documents and procedures.
- Agreement of the annual budget allocation for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
- Accountability of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
- Monitoring of business plans.
- Monitoring of service delivery targets.
- The laying of the annual report and audited accounts of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service before the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- Arranging independent inspections of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Public Safety Unit deals only with policy, legislation and monitoring in relation to Fire and Rescue Services.
Other aspects of public safety are the responsibility of organisations
including:
- The Environmental Health Department of your local Borough, City or District or Council.
For example:
- Garden bonfires and bonfires generally
Bonfires producing unpleasant smells, fumes or nuisance smoke are a matter for the Environmental Health Department within the relevant local council. Any fire which is burning out of control and is a risk to life or property should be reported to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service immediately using the 999 Emergency telephone number if necessary.
- Vermin (rats, mice wasps’ nests
etc.)
Control is a matter for the Environmental Health Department within the relevant local council.
- Safety matters relating to existing
buildings or construction sites
Are a matter for The Health and Safety Executive and/or the Building Control Department at the relevant local council.
- Waste and waste disposal
This includes rubbish bins, litter, waste and garbage behind shops and in entries, waste ground etc. This is a matter for the Environmental Health Department within the relevant local council.
- Maintenance and repair of Public
Sector Housing.
This is a matter for the Housing Executive.
Some useful web sites associated with fire and safety generally are listed below.
