Section 6. Workforce

6.1 People Strategy

Each fire and rescue authority should have in place a people strategy that has been designed in collaboration with the workforce.

How to we meet these requirements?

Our People Strategy (one of the eight supporting strategies of the Customer and Corporate Plan) sets out how we develop and maintain a workforce that is professional, resilient, skilled, flexible and diverse.

Where do we get assurance from?

Update on progress to deliver the People Strategy. KMFRA, December 2018 (Item No: B4).
KMFRA approval for the draft Customer and Corporate Plan 2019-23 (including the eight supporting strategies). KMFRA, April 2019 (Item No: B1).

6.2 Professional Standards

To enhance professionalism of fire and rescue services, a coherent and comprehensive set of professional standards across all areas of fire and rescue services’ work will be developed, drawing on existing standards where appropriate. The development of new standards will be on an ongoing basis.

How to we meet these requirements?

At the time of writing this operational assurance statement, a set of national professional standards for fire and rescue services are still being developed. Consequently, it is not yet possible to write this section of the framework with reference to this. However, within KFRS we already have a well-established culture of professional standards, which is underpinned by and codified in a small number of key documents. We place the utmost importance on holding ourselves to high standards of behaviour and integrity as embodied in the seven (Nolan) principles of public life:
- 1. Selflessness; 2. Integrity; 3. Objectivity; 4. Accountability; 5. Openness; 6. Honesty; 7. Leadership.
We want to ensure that the public have trust and confidence in the
services we provide. The approach and conduct of our employees builds the trust and reputation that customers need, to feel safe in the knowledge that we will be there when they need us. Our customer promise sets out what the public are entitled to expect from us, and what we expect from our staff. It is our commitment to provide the public with an assured level of service.
We want to ensure that KFRS remains a fulfilling, supportive and enjoyable place to work. To underpin this we also have an internal customer promise between colleagues.
All of the Authority's Members are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Authority's Code of Conduct for Members when undertaking the business of the Authority. The Authority adopted a new Code of Conduct with effect from 1 July 2012 together with detailed Arrangements for Dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints.
Feedback is collected from our customers and reported to KMFRA. The feedback shows that levels of complaints are extremely low.

Where do we get assurance from?

KFRS Code of Conduct (a copy of this is available on request) All employees are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the sprit as well as the detail of the code of conduct and to always maintain the highest standards of integrity when conducting the Authority’s business.
Our Customer Promise
Our promise to each other as we share our working lives together (a copy of this is available on request).
Members’ Code of Conduct
Arrangements for Dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints
No complaints alleging that a Member has breached the Code of Conduct have been made to the Authority during the past year. Annual Report on Members’ Standards and Allowances. KMFRA, October 2018 (Item No: C1).
Annual report on customers’ feedback and freedom of information requests. KMFRA, October 2018, (Item No: B5).

6.3 Fitness Principles

Fire and rescue authorities have an important role in helping to ensure their firefighters remain fit and are supported in remaining in employment. Each fire and rescue authority must comply with the fitness principles set out at Annex C.

How to we meet these requirements?

The Authority’s sets out the fitness standards required and the process by which this is monitored and tested for operational personnel.
The Wellbeing Zone provides a wide range of resources for colleagues.
The Capability Regulations provide for a process of adjustment and redeployment where an individual cannot maintain or regain the required fitness level.
We have a number of Physical Training Instructors on the establishment, coordinated by a full time fitness advisor. The working day is structured to allow one hour per day fitness training for all operational personnel. Gyms or fitness equipment are provided on all stations.
In 2018, we introduced the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). The EAP helpline is available 24 hours a day, throughout the year and offers access to trained counsellors will offer help and support in a professional, friendly and non-judgmental manner.
In addition to physical health, the Authority has a strong focus on actively supporting the mental well-being of staff. The Authority has signed up to the Government’s Workplace Wellbeing Charter and are also engaging with Public Health UK to promote their initiatives amongst our staff.

Where do we get assurance from?

A copy of the Health and Wellbeing Guidance is available on request. All operational staff are subject to testing annually and support given to anyone falling below the required fitness level.
Monitoring of occupational health activity.
A copy of the Capability Regulations are available on request. A number of colleagues have already been redeployed under this policy.
A Resilience and Wellbeing conference was held in 2018 which covered a range of key issues around mental health. Based on the positive feedback from this, another conference will be held in 2019.
Wellbeing Champions are staff volunteers who provide a confidential
service to support the physical and mental wellbeing of staff by discussing options and signposting to available resources. We have 39 Well-Being Champions volunteers from across all areas of the Service.

6.4. Re-engagement of Senior Officers

Fire and rescue authorities must not re-appoint principal fire officers after retirement to their previous, or a similar, post save for in exceptional circumstances when such a decision is necessary in the interests of public safety. Any such appointment must be transparent, justifiable and time limited.

How to we meet these requirements?

The Authority responded to the Government’s consultation on the draft Fire and Rescue National Framework and stated its commitment to not re-appointing principal fire officers after retirement to their previous or a similar post.

Where do we get assurance from?

Acceptance by KMFRA of the commitment to this aspect of the revised Fire and Rescue National Framework. KMFRA, February 2018 (Item No: B5).
KMFRA oversight of senior appointments through the Senior officer Appointment and Conditions Committee.