Defence Fire and Rescue Service: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The '''Ministry of Defence Fire Service''' was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the |
The '''Ministry of Defence Fire Service''' was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the Navy Department Fire Prevention Service, [[Army Department Fire Service]], Air Force Department Fire Service and Procurement Executive Fire Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nyebevannews.co.uk/royal-navy-army-and-raf-fire-and-rescue-services-privatised/|title=Royal Navy, Army and RAF fire and rescue services privatised}}</ref> It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the '''Ministry of Defence Fire Services''', which also included the RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service, a military organisation which protected mainly [[List of RAF stations|RAF airfields and runways]].<ref>{{cite newspaper|editor1-last=Wise|editor1-first=Andrew|title=Airfield support set to move to private sector|newspaper=RAF News|date=April 2001|issue=1022|page=3|publisher=Royal Air Force|location=Innsworth|issn=0035-8614}}</ref> |
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It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the '''Ministry of Defence Fire Services''', which also included the [[RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service]], a military organisation which protected mainly [[List of RAF stations|RAF airfields and runways]].<ref>{{cite newspaper|editor1-last=Wise|editor1-first=Andrew|title=Airfield support set to move to private sector|newspaper=RAF News|date=April 2001|issue=1022|page=3|publisher=Royal Air Force|location=Innsworth|issn=0035-8614}}</ref> |
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The Defence Fire Service was renamed the '''Defence Fire and Rescue Service''' in 2004 following the introduction of the [[Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004|Fire and Rescue Services Act]]. The Act, among other things, acknowledges that fire brigades in the UK do more than just simply fight fire. Most UK brigades changed their names from fire services to fire and rescue services during this period |
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==Privatisation== |
==Privatisation== |
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In 2014 the Defence Fire Risk Management Project began to look at outsourcing to a private contractor.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} It was announced in November 2015 that this is the recommended option. |
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In July 2019, the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]] website [[Forces.net|"Forces Net"]] reported that [[Capita]] had won the contract<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/fire-and-rescue-privatisation-goes-ahead|title=Defence Fire And Rescue Privatisation Goes Ahead|first=19th July 2019|last=at 8:03am|website=Forces Network}}</ref> and said that:<ref name="auto3"/> |
In July 2019, the [[British Forces Broadcasting Service]] website [[Forces.net|"Forces Net"]] reported that [[Capita]] had won the contract<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forces.net/news/fire-and-rescue-privatisation-goes-ahead|title=Defence Fire And Rescue Privatisation Goes Ahead|first=19th July 2019|last=at 8:03am|website=Forces Network}}</ref> and said that:<ref name="auto3"/> |
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although gave no time for this to be completed.<ref name="auto"/> |
although gave no time for this to be completed.<ref name="auto"/> |
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==Firefighting and rescue== |
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The DFRS are responsible for providing a fire and rescue capability, including airfield rescue and firefighting, and structural fire and rescue firefighting capabilities, and as such look similar to other UK FRS in their appearance and response. |
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===Vehicles=== |
===Vehicles=== |
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Most appliances (vehicles) are painted red and may have "DEFENCE FIRE SERVICE" or their motto "PREVENTING, PROTECTING, RESPONDING" on the sides of the vehicle.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire-rescue-photos.com/UK-Fire-Rescue-Photos/Non-Local-Authority-Airports-Industrial-and-Preserved/Military-Fire-Rescue-Services/DefenceRAF-Fire-Rescue-Service/DFS-Bicester/i-nKZHBCZ|title=DFS Bicester - Richard Whiting's Fire & Rescue Photography|website=www.fire-rescue-photos.com}}</ref> Some appliances may have military number plates (normally ending in "AA" or "AB"), but some have civilian plates.<ref name="auto2"/> |
Most appliances (vehicles) are painted red and may have "DEFENCE FIRE SERVICE" or their motto "PREVENTING, PROTECTING, RESPONDING" on the sides of the vehicle.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fire-rescue-photos.com/UK-Fire-Rescue-Photos/Non-Local-Authority-Airports-Industrial-and-Preserved/Military-Fire-Rescue-Services/DefenceRAF-Fire-Rescue-Service/DFS-Bicester/i-nKZHBCZ|title=DFS Bicester - Richard Whiting's Fire & Rescue Photography|website=www.fire-rescue-photos.com}}</ref> Some appliances may have military number plates (normally ending in "AA" or "AB"), but some have civilian plates.<ref name="auto2"/> |
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===Uniform=== |
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The uniform of fire personnel is again similar to other UK FRS, with generally a: |
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*formal uniform (No. 1 dress - for parades etc) |
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*everyday uniform (for office, training etc)<ref>https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/resources/images/4424757.jpg?display=1&htype=0&type=responsive-gallery</ref> |
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*firefighting uniform (PPE/'turnout kit') |
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===Training=== |
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Both civilian and [[RAF]] fire crews are trained in exactly the same way. The training is in line with their local authority fire service counterparts. Traditionally [[RAF]] crews were specialists skilled at dealing with live aircraft munitions and airfield crash rescue operations, but they also provided fire prevention and domestic firefighting response on [[RAF]] bases and assisted local civilian brigades when called upon. There was, also, often a crossover of roles with civilian Defence Fire Service crews protecting some air bases, and RAF crews protecting purely domestic (non-flying) units. |
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In the [[RAF]], airmen and women receive their basic military training before going on to train in various "[[List of Royal Air Force Ground Trades|trades]]" or "areas of expertise" such as mechanics, pilots, electricians, navigators, etc. Firefighting is a "trade" therefore which some airmen/women choose to be trained in. |
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The main training facility for all MoD firefighters is the [[Defence Fire Training and Development Centre]] (was FSCTE) at the former [[RAF Manston]] in [[Kent]]. Originally the [[Air Ministry]] Fire Training School, in 2007 DFTDC became part of the newly created Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation (DFRMO) at [[Andover, Hampshire]], under the command of [[Commander Land Forces|HQ Land Forces]]. |
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==="Over the fence" response=== |
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As a general rule, the Defence Fire and Rescue Service only operates within the confines of the site it protects. However, as it is not a fire service recognised by the [[Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004]]{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} it has needed legislation under the [[Armed Forces Act]] to enable jurisdiction and powers of entry just like any other local authority fire service at incidents involving fire or risk to life. As such there are often local agreements for MoD fire services to cover a certain area around the site they protect and can be called for assistance by their local authority fire service colleagues as and when required. |
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For instance, in September 2019, fire crew from [[RAF High Wycombe]] as well as [[RAF Police]], [[Thames Valley Police]] and [[Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service]] personnel responded and extinguished a tractor fire.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=RAF High Wycombe |user=RAFHighWycombe |number=1168976698907475968 |date=3 September 2019 |title=Our amazing @RAFHighWycombe Fire Crew, @RAF__Police, @Bucksfire and @TVP_Wycombe fought this beast earlier today! Thanks to their hard work, residents were evacuated and no one seriously injured...what a team! And all on our annual Safety Day...👀 #FireSafety #firefighters https://t.co/0M4E7f9vTC |language=en |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> |
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==Organisation== |
==Organisation== |
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*[[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] (Defence Fire and Rescue Service) |
*[[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] (Defence Fire and Rescue Service) |
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*locally employed civilian and contractor staff. |
*locally employed civilian and contractor staff. |
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The DFRS is headed by a [[Chief Fire Officer]] (CFO DFR) (as of 2020 - Mr Joel Gray).<ref>https://twitter.com/CFO_DFR</ref> |
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===Recruitment and Work Conditions=== |
===Recruitment and Work Conditions=== |
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As DFR is a mixture of people, recruitment and conditions differ, but for civilians wishing to join, they would become Civil Servants and thus to apply would need to apply via the [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] website.<ref name="auto1"/> |
As DFR is a mixture of people, recruitment and conditions differ, but for civilians wishing to join, they would become Civil Servants and thus to apply would need to apply via the [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] website.<ref name="auto1"/> |
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==Other responsibilities== |
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The new MoD fire service is not a [[fire authority]] in its own right,{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} but is a [[statutory authority]] for the purpose of enforcing fire safety standards (the [[Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005]]) at all defence sites. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 23:49, 4 March 2021
| DFR / DFRS | |
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Address | DFR HQ, Sedgemoor Building, Spur G&H, IDL 54, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8HT |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 1991 |
| Motto | Preventing, Protecting, Responding[1] |
| Website | |
| government page on DFR | |
The Defence Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) is the primary firefighting and rescue service protecting British defence estates and property. Along with the Royal Air Force Rescue and Firefighting Service, it forms the Ministry of Defence Fire Services.
History
The Ministry of Defence Fire Service was formed on 1 April 1991 by the amalgamation of the Navy Department Fire Prevention Service, Army Department Fire Service, Air Force Department Fire Service and Procurement Executive Fire Service.[2] It later became part of a similarly named umbrella body, the Ministry of Defence Fire Services, which also included the RAF Firefighting and Rescue Service, a military organisation which protected mainly RAF airfields and runways.[3]
Privatisation
In July 2019, the British Forces Broadcasting Service website "Forces Net" reported that Capita had won the contract[4] and said that:[4]
A privatisation deal will see Capita take over operations at 53 fire stations in the UK and at Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites including Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.
The Fire Service College (itself owned by Capita since February 2013) said the contract would last for 12 years and is worth £525m.[5] It also said that:
Capita will also construct and manage a new, centralised training facility for Defence firefighters at its Fire Service College in Gloucestershire.
although gave no time for this to be completed.[5]
Vehicles
Most appliances (vehicles) are painted red and may have "DEFENCE FIRE SERVICE" or their motto "PREVENTING, PROTECTING, RESPONDING" on the sides of the vehicle.[6] Some appliances may have military number plates (normally ending in "AA" or "AB"), but some have civilian plates.[6]
Organisation
The Defence Fire and Rescue Service is a civilian organisation, however the term 'Defence Fire' may be used colloquially to include military and civilian firefighting activities. According to the gov.uk website, the DFR staff include:[7]
military
- Royal Air Force Trade Group 8 Firefighter
- Royal Navy Aircraft Handler
civilian
- Civil Service (Defence Fire and Rescue Service)
- locally employed civilian and contractor staff.
Recruitment and Work Conditions
As DFR is a mixture of people, recruitment and conditions differ, but for civilians wishing to join, they would become Civil Servants and thus to apply would need to apply via the Civil Service website.[7]
References
- ^ Adam [@BU954] (27 June 2020). "Happy Armed Forces Day 2020 @RAFFireService @DFR_FIRE https://t.co/MjBSkMjb6p" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Royal Navy, Army and RAF fire and rescue services privatised".
- ^ Wise, Andrew, ed. (April 2001). "Airfield support set to move to private sector". RAF News. No. 1022. Innsworth: Royal Air Force. p. 3. ISSN 0035-8614.
- ^ a b at 8:03am, 19th July 2019. "Defence Fire And Rescue Privatisation Goes Ahead". Forces Network.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Capita signs £525m fire and rescue service contract with Ministry of Defence". www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk.
- ^ a b "DFS Bicester - Richard Whiting's Fire & Rescue Photography". www.fire-rescue-photos.com.
- ^ a b "Defence Fire and Rescue". GOV.UK.