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FIREFIGHTERS
NEWS
Sir Ken Knight to lead review into
operational efficiency of Firefighters
Peter Holland Succeeds Sir Ken Knight as
Chief Fire & Rescue Adviser
An expert led review into the operational
efficiency of the services delivered by fire and
rescue authorities in England was announced
on the 14th December 2012 by Brandon
Lewis MP, Minister for the Department for
Communities and Local Government. It
comes as part of a broad policy to support fire
and rescue authorities in reducing the number
and impact of fires.
The statement from the department said that
the review was to be conducted by former
firefighter and out going government Chief
Fire and Rescue Adviser, Sir Ken Knight,
starting early 2013. The review will seek to
identify ways fire and rescue authorities can
pinpoint savings and improvements without
reducing the quality life-saving services that the
country’s fire firefighters are known for.
The statement said that fire deaths and
incidents are at an all time low. Over the last
decade attendance at incidents has fallen by
39% and attendance at fires by 48%. The
review will help today’s fire service reflect that
change.
In conducting the review, Sir Ken Knight will
talk to key partners to help develop his
findings including the Local Government
Association, Fire Sector Federation, the Chief
Fire Officers’ Association and the Fire Brigades
Union, as well as individual authorities and
other emergency services. The report is
expected to be completed in the spring of
2013.
Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said:
“We all recognise our firefighters perform an
incredibly important public service. That is
why spending for fire and rescue authorities,
like other blue light services, has been
protected. But we cannot escape the reality
that every bit of the public sector has to help
reduce the deficit we inherited.
“Public safety is always our first concern and
this review will make sure no stone has been
left unturned in the quest for the most efficient
and effective front-line fire service there can
be. I know Sir Ken is passionate about the
quality of fire and rescue services and he will
bring an enormous amount of experience and
knowledge to the task.”
Sir Ken Knight said:
“With over 40 years in the fire service, I know
firefighters care deeply about public safety and
want to provide the best possible service, but
we need to make sure that service is as
effective and efficient as possible. Many
authorities have made great strides already,
but there is much more that can be done.
“This review is a real opportunity to get to
grips with what is happening on the ground, to
highlight best practice and make sure that
every option for efficient working is being
explored. I will be talking to firefighters, fire
authorities and union reps about how we can
get there.”
On 23 Jan 2013, the government announced
the appointment of Peter Holland CBE as the
UK's new chief fire and rescue advisor. Mr
Holland, who will succeed Sir Ken Knight will
be in charge of delivering professional support
and advice to senior officials and government
ministers on fire policy. Additionally, he will be
giving his opinion on fire safety, national
resilience and the inspection of Crown
premises, while providing additional support in
the event of national emergencies.
Mr Holland has had a successful career in the
fire industry, starting out as a front-line
firefighter and working his way up to senior
management. He held the position of chief fire
officer at the Lancashire Fire and Rescue
Authority and was also the international
president of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
He will join the Department for Communities
and Local Government, which is in charge of
fire and rescue affairs.
Speaking about Mr Holland's appointment, fire
minister Brandon Lewis said that he is
delighted that the government could call upon
experience for a “vital role in national
resilience”. He noted that “Peter's
appointment is crucial to helping them do this
as well as supporting key policies such as the
decentralisation of power from Whitehall,
promoting local accountability and
transparency and helping fire and rescue
authorities be as efficient as possible.”
Peter has recently joined the Worshipful
Company of Firefighters and took part in the
City dinner debate.
Peter Holland