Fire Standards Board launches Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard

One of the desired outcomes of the new Fire Standard is that Fire and Rescue Services’ internal change and improvement projects are managed through robust development, approval and initiation processes. This will serve to ensure that such projects are aligned with the vision and strategic objectives of the Fire and Rescue Service, and also that delivery and organisational development plans are clear and understood by everyone resident within.

The development of this particular Fire Standard has been led by chief fire officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, who also serves as chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Improvement Committee, together with subject matter experts from the network of Fire and Rescue Service audit teams and governance leads, Home Office specialists and other key stakeholders.

An expected benefit of achieving the Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard is that Fire and Rescue Services will improve governance, internal culture and increase transparency.

As is the case with all Fire Standards, there’s a corresponding Fire Standards implementation tool to support Fire and Rescue Services. The tool was designed to support Fire and Rescue Services in understanding how well they meet the Fire Standard, duly helping them to embed it within existing and new action plans and address any gaps.

Significant contribution

Suzanne McCarthy, chair of the Fire Standards Board, explained: “The Board welcomes the launch of the new Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard and recognises the contribution it will bring to Fire and Rescue Services and the communities they serve.”

McCarthy continued: “This Fire Standard builds on our portfolio of comprehensive and professional Fire Standards, which ultimately help to support the safety, health and well-being of the public by raising the operational status of Fire and Rescue Services in England.”

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton responded: “I’m proud to have led the development of this new Fire Standard, which will support all Fire and Rescue Services to follow a consistent and robust process when developing internal governance and assurance procedures.”

Cohen-Hatton added: “I also hope that working towards achieving this Fire Standard will create internal cultures and positive working environment that are open to learning, self-evaluation and receiving feedback, in turn fostering the creation of a more productive, motivated and efficient workforce.”

*Further details concerning the Internal Governance and Assurance Fire Standard can be accessed on the Fire Standards Board website at www.firestandards.org