NFRS 2023 12 - Protection department structure

You asked for

Please can you provide the following information as at 01/04/2023: - a list of the ranks/roles within the business safety/protection department in order of seniority - the salary for each role - the number of people in each role - a copy of the job description for each role.

Our response

A list of the ranks/roles within the protection department in order of seniority
Answer:
- Area Manager
- Group Manager
- Station Manager
- Watch Manager
- Fire Protection Inspection Officer
The salary for each role
Answer: Part of the information requested has been deemed exempt by virtue of section 21(1) Information reasonably accessible by other means, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
- Fire Protection Inspecting Officer Grade 4 to 6 depending on competency.
  - Grade 4: £27,344 – 29,439
  - Grade 5: £29,439 – 32,909
  - Grade 6: £34,723 – 38,296
The number of people in each role
Answer:
- Area Manager: 1
- Group Manager: 1
- Station Manager: 3
- Watch Manager: 4
- Fire Protection Inspection Officer: 18
A copy of the job description for each role
1. Area Manager Rolemap
  - EFSM2 - Lead, monitor and support people to resolve operational incidents
  - EFSM5 - Plan, implementation of organisational strategy to meet objectives
  - EFSM6 - Implement organisational change
  - EFSM8 - Lead organisational strategy through effective decision-making
  - EFSM9 - Implement and manage change in organisational activities
  - EFSM11 - Determine effective use of physical and financial resources
  - EFSM13 - Select required personnel
  - EFSM14 - Manage the performance of teams and individuals to achieve objectives
  - EFSM15 - Develop teams and individuals to enhance work based performance
  - EFSM16 - Manage yourself to achieve work objectives
  - EFSM20 - Exchange information to ensure effective service delivery
  - EFSM17 - Advise on development and implementation of quality policies
  - EFSM18 - Implement quality assurance systems
  - EFSM19 - Monitor compliance with quality systems
  - EFSM22 - Develop information systems to support delivery objectives
  - EFSM23 - Agree project plan to meet specified objectives
  - EHSM25 - Manage project to meet objectives
  Options
  - A1 - Assess candidate using a range of methods
  - A2 - Assess candidate by observation
  - V1 - Conduct Integral Quality Assurance of the assessment process
2. Group Manager Rolemap
  - EFSM2 - Lead, monitor and support people to resolve operational incidents
  - EFSM6 - Implement organisational strategy
  - EFSM9 - Implement and manage change in organisational activities
  - EFSM10 - Plan and implement activities to meet service delivery needs
  - EFSM11 - Determine effective use of physical and financial resources
  - EFSM13 - Select required personnel
  - EFSM14 - Manage the performance of teams and individuals to achieve objectives
  - EFSM15 - Develop teams and individuals to enhance workbased performances
  - EFSM16 - Manage yourself to achieve work objectives
  Optional
  - EFSM17 - Advise on development and implementation of quality policies
  - EFSM18 - Implement quality assurance systems
  - EFSM19 - Monitor compliance with quality systems
  - EFSM22 - Develop information systems to support service delivery objectives
  - EFSM23 - Agree project plan to meet specified objectives
  - EFSM24 - Co-ordinate projects to achieve objectives
  Options
  - A1 - Assess candidate using a range of methods
  - A2 - Assess candidate by observation
  - V1 - Conduct Integral Quality Assurance of the assessment process
3. Station Manager Rolemap
  - EFSM2 - Lead, monitor and support people to resolve operational incidents
  - EFSM3 - Determine solutions to hazards and risk identified through inspection and investigation
  - EFSM10 - Plan and implement activities to meet service delivery needs
  - EFSM12 - Manage the effective use of resources
  - EFSM13 - Select required personnel
  - EFSM14 - Manage the performance of teams and individuals to achieve objectives
  - EFSM15 - Develop teams and individuals to enhance workplace performance
  - EFSM16 - Manage yourself to achieve work objectives
  - EFSM21 - Provide information to support decision making
  Options
  - A1 - Assess candidate using a range of methods
  - A2 - Assess candidate by observation
  - V1 - Conduct Integral Quality Assurance of the assessment process
4. Watch Manager Rolemap (Operational)
  - WM1 - Lead the work of teams and individuals to achieve their objectives
  - WM2 - Maintain activities to meet requirements
  - WM3 - Manage information for action
  - WM4 - Take responsibility for effective performance
  - WM5 - Support the development of teams and individuals
  - WM6 - Investigate and report on events to inform future practice
  - WM7 - Lead and support people to resolve operational incidents
  - WM9 - Support the effective use of resources
  - WM10 - Acquire, store and issue resources to provide service
  - WM11 - Respond to poor performance in your team
  Options
  - A1 - Assess Candidates using a range of methods
  - A2 - Assess Candidates by observation
5. Fire Inspection officer (Non-Operational)
  Grade: Graded post from 4 to 6, competency dependent
  Conditions of Service: NJC for Local Government Services, National Scheme of Conditions of Service
  Responsible to: Watch Manager
  Responsible for:
  General Description of Post
  
  To undertake inspections in line with Service Policy to discharge the Authority’s statutory duty under fire safety legislation and to provide fire safety advice and guidance to local authorities, business, commerce, the public and to professional and other regulatory bodies.
  Specific Duties
  
  As this is a graded post there are 3 stages to achieve full competency each commensurate with a specific pay grade and are linked to an acceptable level of practical application. Each stage should take no longer than 1 year to complete based on passing the appropriate assessments;
  Stage 1
  
  Grade 4 – entry level and to complete the Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety for Fire Safety Advisors to;
  1. Undertake inspections of low risk premises in accordance with Service policy and relevant fire safety legislation, provide fire safety advice and guidance and determine solutions to hazards and risks identified through inspection and investigation.
  2. Provide advice on self-determined fire risk assessments to achieve compliance with relevant fire safety legislation.
  3. Provide advice and guidance on request and through inspection on:
    1. Fire safety in premises
    2. Issues relating to fire protection systems
  4. Provide and process risk information gained from inspections in support of the Service’s Strategic Plan.
  5. Undertake liaison and consultation with local authorities and other regulatory agencies in accordance with Service policy and procedures.
  6. In conjunction with department colleagues, monitor the progress of new or refurbished premises, within you field of competence, for compliance with requirements/recommendations made under relevant fire safety legislation.
  7. Responsible for management and control of own workloads, organising inspections and maintenance of records and files.
  8. Responsible for updating, retrieval and actioning electronic information from the Fire Safety Management Information System and Risk Based Inspection Programme.
  9. Responsible for the preparation of fire safety reports and letters in accordance with Service fire safety policy and procedures.
  10. Liaise and consult with other enforcing authorities (where appropriate) in respect of Fire Safety provisions within premises. This is to include communication of failure of Legislative compliance.
  11. Maintain knowledge and understanding of Fire Authority policies and procedures, and ensure work is carried out inline with department standards and targets.
  12. Maintain confidentiality of information in accordance with agreed procedures, disclosing Information to authorised persons only.
  13. Be responsible for personal organisation and structuring of own work activities as directed and agreed with Head of Fire Protection.
  14. Maintain knowledge and understanding of relevant current legislation, codes of practice and other related technical fire safety matters.
  15. Prepare and deliver Fire Safety Awareness to Operational Personnel and other stakeholders when required to do so.
  16. Attend departmental meetings, training sessions, and courses identified as appropriate to role.
  17. Any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined, subject to the proviso that normally any significant changes of a permanent nature should be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.
Stage 2

Grade 5 – Successful completion of Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety for Fire Safety Risk Assessors. The below duties are expected in this stage, in addition to the level 3 Certificate duties;
1. To undertake inspection of medium risk and licensed premises in accordance with Service policy to enforce relevant fire safety legislation, provide fire safety advice and guidance and determine solutions to hazards and risks identified through inspection and investigation.
Stage 3

Grade 6 – Successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma in Fire Safety for a Fire Safety Inspector. The below duties are expected in this stage, in addition to the level 4 Certificate duties;
1. Complete Inspections of all regulated premises including high risk sites, or those incorporating fire engineering principles.
2. Provide advice and guidance on request and through inspection on issues relating to building construction, refurbishment, materials and demolition.
3. Evaluate fire safety design submissions to achieve compliance with relevant fire safety legislation.
4. Undertake liaison and consultation with Building Control Bodies.
5. Take enforcement action in line with Service policy and procedures in support of the principles detailed in the Regulators Code. Where necessary, provide support to the Service on the investigation of an offence through the preparation of case files, interviewing and cautioning of witnesses, taking and preparing statements and the collecting of evidence, this may include giving evidence at a tribunal/court.
6. Responsible for the preparation of enforcement notices and plans in accordance with Service fire safety policy and procedures.
Competencies
Each Stage will require a demonstration of knowledge prior to moving on to the next graded stage. An example of what is required is shown below;
1. Complete several fire safety audits within licensed premises, all observed by a competent Grade 6 post holder
2. Complete a number fire safety audits within sleeping premises, all observed by a competent Grade 6 post holder
3. Complete several building regulations consultations, all observed by a competent Grade 6 post holder
The above items must be signed off by a competent Grade 6 post holder in liaison with the geographical Station Manager.
Specific health and safety responsibilities
None
General Responsibilities (all employees)
1. Health and Safety To take reasonable care for your own health and safety at work and that of other persons who may be affected by your work activities.
  To co-operate with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s attempts to comply with health and safety legislation. Where appropriate you must safeguard the health and safety of all persons affected by the work activities you supervise at any premises you have control over.
  
  To work in a safe manner in which you have been trained and instructed and advise your line manager of any health and safety problems you become aware of.
  
  To familiarise yourself with the contents of the Service’s Written Safety Policy.
2. Use of equipment and other appliances
  To take proper care in handling, operation and safeguarding of any equipment, vehicles or appliance, used or issued by the Service or provided or issued by a third party for individual or collective use in the performance of the job holder’s duties
3. Equalities
  To uphold the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fairness at Work and Equal Opportunities policies and practices and to treat all colleagues, service users and contacts with respect and in accordance with the expectations laid down by the Service.
  To promote and deliver fair and quality services that are sensitive and responsive to all service users.
4. Code of Conduct
  To adhere to the standards of the Code of Conduct established by the Service.
5. Personal Development
  To keep up to date with current practice, undertake training and Continuous Professional Development as appropriate.
6. Information Technology
  To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to, alteration or disclosure of information held on computer and ensure adherence to the principles of the Data Protection Act.
  To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and associated systems as required.

21. Information accessible to applicant by other means.

Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant otherwise than under section 1 is exempt information.
For the purposes of subsection (1)—
1. Information may be reasonably accessible to the applicant even though it is accessible only on payment, and
2. Information is to be taken to be reasonably accessible to the applicant if it is information which the public authority or any other person is obliged by or under any enactment to communicate (otherwise than by making the information available for inspection) to members of the public on request, whether free of charge or on payment.
For the purposes of subsection (1), information which is held by a public authority and does not fall within subsection (2)(b) is not to be regarded as reasonably accessible to the applicant merely because the information is available from the public authority itself on request, unless the information is made available in accordance with the authority’s publication scheme and any payment required is specified in, or determined in accordance with, the scheme.

Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is categorised as an Absolute and Class Based type exemption and therefore does not require a public interest test to be carried nor must Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service articulate the harm in disclosure.

The information requested can be accessed at the following location. NJC 3/23 - Pay award 2023 | Local Government Association