Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management - Case Study Example

Running Header: Risk Management Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 2 Fire Risk Assessment 4 Identification of the hazards 5 Heat/Sources of ignition 5 Fuel sources 5 Oxygen 5 Identification of people at risk 6 Evaluate, and Act 6 Record, plan, and train 7 Review 8 Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 8 Fire & Rescue Services Act 2004 9 Conclusion 10 References 12 Introduction Risk reduction within the premises is an important part of risk reduction process by the entire community. It is crucial to undertake various fire visits within students’ premises in order to give advice and ways forward towards reducing risk. It is important to assist organizations comply with fire legislative responsibilities and acts in order to reduce any fire risks that arise or are a potential to fire hazards. Hazard is any source of potential harm, danger, or undesirable health effects on somebody or something under certain situations at premise or workplace as argued by Andrew & Martin (2007). Hazard can also be referred to as the actual harm. It causes adverse effects or harm to properties, premises or on individuals. On the other hand, risk is the probability or chance that an individual will be harmed or faces some adverse effects when exposed to a hazard. Risk also takes effects on the equipments or premises. Fire occurrence within student premises is a hazard that has a potential of causing injuries or death of students while causing adverse damages to the premises. Therefore, there is need to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of such risks in order to reduce such effects occurring in future. Risk evaluation takes greatest part in the reduction of hazards and risks related to fire. This process involves identifying hazards, evaluating or analyzing hazards and risks related to fire while determining suitable ways of eliminating or controlling the hazard. In UK, there is Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 that gives obligation to all fire and rescue authorities to encourage fire safety within their regions. This is because fire continuous to be a key threat to many communities. Fire and Rescue services and authorities are drawing up Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMPs) in United Kingdom in order to identify the specific groups of those at risk while targeting resources accordingly as argued by Andrew & Martin (2007). It is important to note that control measures for Fire and Rescue Services should involve operational equipment to be used or utilized. It also involves personal protective equipment and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Other factor is to take into consideration include realistic training and exercising that correspond with risks identified in the premises. Competence, levels of supervision and command structures as well as communication systems should as well be taken into consideration by fire and rescue services. Fire Risk Assessment A systematic general evaluation of the premises and organizational activities is crucial towards determining the potential fire hazards and risks that students, employees and other people may face. The assessment plays a key role in determining ways of reducing or controlling them. However, this assessment should be carried by a qualified and trained personnel and having a lot of experience or knowledge about fire. The process of risk assessment should include several actions that include whether or not the fire and rescue services are supposed to carry out a particular activity. It should also identify particular activities that employees have to undertake. It should also identify hazards arising as various activities are being undertaken. The assessment should implement control measures towards risk reduction to a level that can be considered to very low levels. The risk assessment process involves five basic principles that are same in all areas as illustrated by Arthur, (2003). They include: 1. Identification of the hazards Ignition sources Fuel sources Oxygen sources 2. Identifying who might be at risk and how People within the premises (in and around premises) Individuals especially at risk 3. Assess the risks and choose on precautions Assess the risk of fire starting Assess the risk to people from fire Reduction or remove of fire hazards Reduction or removal of risks to people or premises from a fire Protect individuals by giving fire precautions 4. Record the findings and implement them Record or list any major finding and actions undertaken Work and discuss with other responsible individuals Set up an emergency plan Inform and train relevant individuals 5. Review the assessment and update where necessary Review regularly fire-risk assessment Undertake changes where appropriate Identification of the hazards Fire starts when fuel (anything that burns) gets into contact with heat (sources of ignition), and oxygen or air. It is important to keep fuel and sources of ignition separate. Heat/Sources of ignition They include naked flames, water and food heaters, electric facilities, cigarettes, matches, hot processes including grinding or welding and they usually cause sparks that can cause ignition. Fuel sources This is anything that can burn and includes rubbish, plastic, rubber, wood, mattresses, blankets, ceilings, papers or books, furniture, packaging materials, fuel including petrol or paraffin, white spirit, varnish and paint. In many students’ hostels, they are many sources of fuel due to high number of materials that they use including papers, carpets, electronic facilities among others (Paul, 2006). Oxygen This is the surrounding area within the building. However, they are some sources of fuel that include oxidizing powders and commercial supplies of oxygen. Identification of people at risk In case there is fire, then every person is at risk. However, the rate of risk varies due to areas of premises they are working or living or the type of work they are doing including fire fighting. It also varies due to individual’s familiarity with the premises such concerns disabled or customers. Children and their parents as well as elderly people are another group of people at greatest risk of fire or vulnerable to fire. People working near the dangers of fire as well as those working in isolated areas should also be taken into consideration according to Dennis & John, (2002). Evaluate, and Act This is analyzing what has been found in the steps 1 and 2. This is identifying the risks of fire starting as well as risks to people within the building and nearby. After evaluating these factors, then it is important to act accordingly. This is through coming up with ways of reducing and avoiding fire accidents from occurring. Things that are likely to be used by arsonists to start fires should be removed from their reach. This includes any form of fuel such as petrol. The premises should always be protected from accidental fire or arson. Electric sockets and other appliances should be made accordingly in order to reduce any fire accidents or hazards that may occur due to their faulty. It is also important to keep fuel sources and heat/sparks separately to Dennis & John, (2002). It is crucial to make sure that every person is safe through implementing various methods of protecting them and reducing the risk occurrence. There should be a plan whereby people are warned adequately when there is fire breakout. Plans should be set such that everyone within the premises is capable of getting out in case of fire. There should be a person who is responsible of calling fire service as well as alerting people through appropriate methods when fire breaks out. An action should be taken to protect the premises and people from the fire; this is by ensuring that even the small fire is stopped from spreading as quickly as possible. Premises should have well planned escape routes for ensuring that people are able to get out and escape as quickly as possible with any objects blocking the ways. Appropriate measures and plans should be put in place to ensure people are capable of finding suitable ways out of premises regardless of whether it is during the night or whether there is darkness of not. All safety and fire fighting facilities should be ensured that they are working safely. All the fire fighting facilities should be such that they are easy to use and operate for all the people even when in a hurry. They should also be at reach of everyone. Record, plan, and train It is crucial to keep fire hazards record and whatever has been done in order to reduce or even remove the hazards. A record of premises should also be kept including training programs undertaken on the staff. There should be a clear plan of how fire should be prevented and the ways of keeping people case when fire breaks out. In case the premises is shared among other people or organizations, there is need to coordinate the plans with them. The plan ought to be communicated to all the staff in ensuring they are aware of strategies laid down. Training of the staff and students should also be undertaken so that they can be able to act in case of fire accident. They should also be trained of the roles they are supposed to undertake in case of such accidents. This can be carried out inform of fire drills and recorded on how it underwent. Every staff and student nominated should have a capability of fulfilling his roles. Temporary staff should as well be trained and informed appropriately (Paul, 2006). Review Fire risk evaluation should be carried out regularly. This is because the fire risks change with time. In situations where there are any amendments in risk, then significant changes should be carried out in the plan. All the concerned and responsible people should be informed of the plan. Some of the reason for reviewing the risk assessment is when they are changes in the work practices. In case they some furniture, chemicals or other things that have started to be kept within the premises, then there is need to review and change the plan. It is also important to review the assessment in case there is change of stock. A plan should be set for several fire drills in future. Amendment should also be made in case the number of people occupying the building increases significantly making escape routes becomes somehow small according Great Britain et el (2006). It is vital to undertake a comprehensive fire risk assessment in the organization, hostel or business buildings as it will assist in identifying various types of hazards that may cause fire risks. It will aid in coming up with various ways of reducing such risks. Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) IRMP is a plan of developing a balanced approach by the fire and rescue service in ensuring there is reduced fire risks in the society. It represents a major shift in focus for fire and rescue service. An extensive modernizing change programme has become implemented in UK by Deputy Prime minister’s office where at heart lies IRMP. IRMP is a balanced approach by the fire and rescue services to risks in the community. It combines prevention, protection, and response measures on a risk assessed basis. This is towards improving the safety of community as well as creating a safer working condition for the fire fighters. IRMP assists in analyzing information concerning the risks in order to actively target the groups at risks for protective and preventative measures as argued by Arthur, (2003). According to Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the aims of IRMP are to ensure the safety of the community is improved by making use of the resources in Fire & Rescue services. This can be achieved through reducing fire incidences, reducing loss of life in accidents and fires, reducing number of injuries occurring during the fire and other incidents, and reducing the commercial, social, and economic impacts of fire as well as other emergencies. This is achieved by making an informed risk assessment within the area as well as best ways of managing them, looking at prevention, enforcing and responding to them. Humberside Fire & Rescue Service is one of the fire and rescue authorities in UK with IRMP. It has a IMRP whose vision is to have a safer community with safer firefighters. Its strategic objectives are to prevent loss of life and injuries due to emergency incidents. Fire & Rescue Services Act 2004 It is the act of the Parliament of UK. It applies only to Great Britain and it is in most instances used in Wales and England as illustrated by Stationery Office Staff (2004). It makes clear the roles and powers of fire authorities towards promoting fire safety, fight fighting, people and property protection, rescue of people from road accidents, deal with other emergencies like terrorists and floods, and undertaking things in order t respond to specific needs of society and risk they face. According to the act, government provides strategic objectives and support to the fire and rescue services. It also provides powers to government to purchase facilities towards promoting fire safety and risk within the society. According to the act, emergency is defined as the situation or event that causes or likely to cause one or more people to die or seriously injured. It is also viewed as a situation causing serious harm to the environment including animals. The act also illustrates that a person is said to commit an offence when he gives a false fire alarm knowingly while acting on behalf of fire and rescue services. It also gives powers to any fire and rescue services employee to do anything in case of fire breakout in order to extinguish or prevent fire or protect property and life. He can also do anything in case of an emergency towards reducing the harm as illustrated Stationery Office Staff (2004). Conclusion In UK, new legislation provides Fire Authorities with flexible and recent statutory responsibility. This is towards ensuring they focus greatly on the resources towards preventing emergencies other than responding to them. London Fire and Rescue Authorities has a wider role of promoting fire safety, fight fires while protecting people and properties as well as dealing with other emergencies including terrorist, floods, and traffic accidents. Fire and rescue services must make sure that fire and other emergencies are controlled towards reducing the damages and injuries that arises. It is the role of every fire and rescue services to ensure that all premises and including hostels and companies have the appropriate measures for preventing the occurrence of fire. Government should also ensure that fire and rescue organizations are fully funded in order for them to be able to undertake their roles appropriately. Failure by the government to fund fire and rescue services may hinder them from achieving their main goals of reducing the fire risks that community face. It is the role of managers and other responsible building owners to ensure every person is trained on various ways of preventing the occurrence of fire accidents. They should also ensure employees, students, and other people occupying the building are well informed of the necessary steps they should undertake in case of fire breakout. Such include identifying the escape routes to safety according Great Britain et el (2006). Fire and rescue services must make certain that all the buildings follow the allowed building standards and codes. Fire fighting equipments should be put strategically in all areas of the buildings where they can be accessed easily. They must be simple to function and use in case of any eventuality. This can be verified by undertaking several fire drill practices. This can make staff and students become aware of what is expected from them in case of fire emergency. This is a big step towards minimizing the fire occurrence and risks associated with it. However, it is the role of every individual to undertake appropriate measures in ensuring that fire occurrence is reduced and prevented from taking place. References Andrew, F & Martin, M 2007, Introduction to fire safety management, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Arthur, E 2003, Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Manchester. Dennis, C & John, A 2002, Managing fire and rescue services, ICMA, London. Great Britain et el 2006, Fire and Rescue Service: Fourth Report of Session 2005-06, Stationery Office, London. Paul, M 2006, The Fire and Rescue Service: Session 2005-06, Stationery Office, London. Stationery Office Staff 2004, Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. Chapter 21. Explanatory Notes, Stationary Office, London. Read More