Road Safety within the Fire & Rescue Service Fleet

Transcription

1 Road Safety within the Fire & Rescue Service Fleet ACFO Adam Eckley Director Assets, Resources & Administration Essex County Fire & Rescue Service Vice Chairman CFOA Transport Officers Group

2 Transport Officers Group - Background The Chief Fire Officers Association The Transport Officers Group - formed in 1993, represents professional engineering and fleet management functions throughout the UK Fire and Rescue Services on behalf of CFOA. The main thrust for the group in the early days was to resolve technical issues on behalf of CFOA AE&U whilst being able to debate and share ideas at a national forum (now known as Best Practice) and report back to their respective CFOA regions.

3 Transport Officers Group - Background The Chief Fire Officers Association TOG continues to exist as a sub group of CFOA AE&U committee which is now a work stream of CFOA s Service Corporate Support directorate. It reports directly to AE&U and on behalf of AE&U directly to the NPB. It has representation on both the AE&U committee and NPB. TOG is without doubt a CFOA function

4 Transport Officers Group - Background The Chief Fire Officers Association In 2005, as a part of the National Procurement Strategy, TOG was identified to support the NPB as their intelligent client for national vehicle and equipment specifications. This has effectively changed the direction of the group which out of necessity has become more strategically focused.

5 Transport Officers Group - Background The Chief Fire Officers Association NPB - Identifies the procurement needs of FRA s. TOG - Identifies user requirements on behalf of the NPB. FIREBUY - Delivers the National Procurement Strategy.

6 Transport Officers Group - Background The Chief Fire Officers Association What TOG is not is an exclusive club. The group is a representative body supporting and acting as the intelligent client on behalf of all of its engineering colleagues within the Fire and Rescue Service. Currently to ensure the NPS targets are met Engineering managers offer their assistance to develop the User Requirement Statements and best practice documents, represent CFOA on a range of technical committees and lead much of the work to develop the performance standards of the FRS appliance fleet.

7 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet CFOA TOG Best Practice Manual for the maintenance and servicing of fire service vehicles (supported by VOSA). The Best Practice Manual is the default standard for fleet maintenance across the British Fire & Rescue Service developed to promote a standard set of procedures across the industry. As FRS are not subject to the rules of an Operators Licence it is the mechanism through which FRS can demonstrate that they maintain their vehicles to higher standards. This is important because FRS are not exempt from the law. The Best Practice Manual is the benchmark used when undertaking Best Value studies or independent audits of FRS Fleet functions.

8 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet National Fire Services Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme A partnership between Stevenson College (Leicester) and CFOA TOG. Any fleet, but the fire service fleet in particular, needs highly skilled and competent engineering technicians, trained in mechanics, electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics and competent in the use of highly precise and calibrated test equipment. Not to mention computer literacy and an understanding of road traffic and health & safety legislation. So, when we have staff of this calibre we need to be able to show that a vehicle Engineer is a highly skilled professional which is why it is really pleasing to note that the scheme and many FRS have taken up the IRTEC licence.

9 Why an Engineering Apprenticeship scheme? Volvo is short of 1,500 technicians across Europe (Motor Transport 26/4/07). VOLVO - Neil Grantham Director Commercial Aftermarket Lack of specialist skills (66%) and experience (54%) are the main reasons given for recruitment difficulties experienced in the last quarter HRM Guide Human Resources -Dr John Philpott, CIPD Chief Economist Between 2010 to 2020 the number of 16 year olds in the UK will fall by 60,000 a year, every year SOE Annual Conference 2005 Chris Humphries director General City & Guilds By 2012, 70% of the UK Fire Service maintenance units will have Vehicle Technicians with an average age of 46 years or over. CFOA TOG

10 The challenges facing the Engineering industry Under investment in training in the industry as a whole, driven by tight profit margins. The growth of new opportunities and careers in other sectors for technically minded youngsters. The perception of the industry as a less rewarding occupation, both in terms of working conditions and remuneration. Perceived as a career for those with a lower attainment in numeracy & literacy. And the perception that vehicle repair and maintenance engineering is an occupation for the less able school leavers.

11 FRS Engineering Apprenticeship scheme The Chief Fire Officers Association

12

13

14

15 FRS Engineering Apprenticeship scheme Our aspirations for the future The Chief Fire Officers Association Growth of the scheme More partnerships with suppliers Development of an Emergency Services scheme Continued development of students in supervisory roles Further development of the IRTEC Licensing scheme

16 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet To support the NPS the following work was completed between 2005 & 2007 on User Requirement Statements for Pumping Appliances Aerials Appliances Specialist Appliances Light Vehicles and Light Vehicle Conversions Key items of Operational Equipment

17 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet Work has just commenced on the first technical refresh of the URS for pumping appliances to allow FireBuy to re-tender this framework agreement. The set of user requirements are divided into five requirement categories: Core function and performance (CFP) Vehicle Systems requirements (VSR) Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Customer Support Services (CSS) Training Support Services (TSS)

18 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet There are over 80 user requirements specified for pumping appliances across the five requirements categories. Of these 23 are dedicated to Road Performance and Road Safety. Some examples are: Driver positions shall be optimised to facilitate maximum all round vision. Appliance conspicuity will comply with CFOA guidance on safety. The appliance will be fitted with visual and audible emergency warning systems.

19 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet Tyres fitted will be suitable for the full range of operations reasonably anticipated for that appliance and be demonstrated as such through approval testing and lifetime considerations such as steering, braking and wear rates. Standard appliance braking performances are stated in BS:EN-1846 including the UK National Annex. Fire Authorities may require supplementation through an agreed form of retardation. This may be required by a FRA to meet its operational needs and shall not detract from required appliance handling characteristics. In accepting BS:EN-1846 test criteria, FRA require enhanced criteria for static tilt test (minimum 35 degrees).

20 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet The introduction of fire service specific specialist training for engineers across the country in conjunction with the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, which results in modular ongoing competence based qualifications for the repair and maintenance of fire service vehicles. Working with manufacturers and suppliers on vehicle specifications that develop modern fire appliances such as Crew cab design that fully meets EC29 standards in all three parts (Computer driven test, roll-over test and weighted impact testing of A, B and C posts).

21 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet Fleet managers present vehicles for both JCDD testing including tilt testing and VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) testing to confirm type approval. TOG members represent CFOA on Standards Boards in particular working towards current European Standards such as BS:EN Introduction and development of vehicle telematics which using current technology can record a full range of vehicle related data from fuel performance, to accident damage and the use of audible and visual warning devices through to ensuring your seal belt is fitted or even that doors are closed. All of this is recorded and monitored remotely.

22 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet Working with Interaction of Bath (Firestore) TOG has supported the development of a dedicated manual handling solution for the safe stowage of fire service vehicles which included working on the anthropometric study of men and women in the fire service. TOG has initiated and overseen tyre testing on F1 test tracks for fire service specific use, by qualified test engineers.

23 Transport Officers Group Continuing their contribution to road safety of the FRS fleet TOG has represented CFOA at the DFTI on such subjects as changing regulations to allow fire service vehicles to utilise Battenberg reflective materials and the use of red flashing lights when stationary. TOG represents CFOA on national projects such as FireLink to ensure that there is no possibility that required vehicle radio fitments can interfere with the designed performance of the vehicle.

24 Road Safety within the Fire & Rescue Service Fleet In conclusion it would be fair to say that the Fire and Rescue Service nationally has made great strides to ensure that the emergency appliance and light vehicle fleets that they operate are fit for purpose and perform to the highest road safety standards. The CFOA Transport Officers Group continue to drive and support necessary improvements in appliance, vehicle and equipment design and performance which in turn will assist in reducing the appalling effects of road traffic collisions.

25 Road Safety within the Fire & Rescue Service Fleet That concludes my presentation which I hope you found informative. Are there any questions? My contact details: Adam Eckley Assistant Chief Fire Officer Director Assets, Resources & Administration Essex County Fire and Rescue Service adam.eckley@essex-fire.gov.uk