Deputy Chief Fire Officer · petrochemical industries in Milford Haven, to the risks associated...

Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Job Specification | October 2018

Job Profile:

Deputy Chief Fire Officer


Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

My vision is for our Service ‘To be a world leader in emergency response and community safety’. Whilst we are already very good at what we do, we can always improve.

On average, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attends 13,400 incidents every year. However, since 2006/07 our attendance at deliberate fires has reduced by 72%; our attendance at accidental dwelling fires has reduced by 29%; and our attendance at house fires has reduced by 14%.

Our flooding and water rescue activity is very dynamic and varies from 200 calls to 700 calls every year. Indeed, in April 2017 this was recognised by Welsh Government who introduced a statutory requirement for the Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities to attend flooding related incidents.

Our attendance at traditional fire related incidents is decreasing and we believe this is a result of our preventative work in the community. Over the last five years we have undertaken 102,000 Home Fire Safety Checks and engaged with 163,861 young people through our education programmes. Furthermore, our firefighters have responded to 12,760 medical response incidents in the same time period. This is a 103% increase on the previous five years and we continue to work closely with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust to continue to increase our medical response capabilities.

Innovation has been a key focus area for us over the last couple of years. We have progressed this area significantly and we are now recognised as the emergency sector lead for the use of drone technology. Moreover, we have recently secured a UK GovTech grant to develop our existing technology further and enable the tracking and physiological monitoring of Firefighters.

Notwithstanding our clear successes, there is no avoiding the fact that the financial climate we are operating within will continue to create additional pressures on the level of service we currently provide and stretch our resources even further.

IntroductionTo be a World Leader in

Emergency Response and

Community SafetyOur Vision is:-


This will mean that although the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer will no doubt be challenging, I believe the right person, with drive, passion and a desire to make a difference, is going to be a key influencer and leader to the ongoing success of the Service.

Our commitment is to adapt to challenges in a positive way by collaborating with other partners and stakeholders. I believe that collaborative working is the future of the emergency service, enabling us to improve the way we work; share our people and financial resources; and ultimately save more lives. I am also committed to finding innovative solutions to generating income and ensuring sustainability for the wellbeing of our communities.

Delivering an improved and successful Service is only possible by employing the right people. I want the best employees who are representative of our communities; trained in the best way to ensure their safety; and provided with the best equipment so they can operate to the highest standards.

If you believe you share my vision and our commitment to the communities of mid and west Wales, then I would like to hear from you. If you are interested in applying, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further with you.

Please contact me on 01267 226844.

Thank you and good luck.

Chris Davies QFSM MBAChief Fire Officer, Head of Paid Service


The Service was created in 1996 by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, following the merger of Dyfed, Powys and West West Glamorgan Fire Brigades.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service covers thefollowing County Council areas:

The Service makes up almost two-thirds of Wales, covering a predominantly rural area of 4,500 square miles (11,700 km²), with 650km of coastline, comprising 58 stations and employing 1,400 staff. The Service has the third highest population sparsity in England and Wales and there are 900,000 people that live within our Service area. This number swells to over 1.5 million as a result of tourism through the summer months.

Geographically, it is the third largest Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom, behind the Scottish and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services. This in itself presents different challenges.

There are a variety of risks found within the Service area, ranging from the petrochemical industries in Milford Haven, to the risks associated with heavily populated areas such as Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. There is also a large farming community and many other light industries throughout the area.

These, together with an extensive coastline and inland waterways, form some of the specialised risks found within the Service.

About the Service


Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority is made up of 25 elected members who represent the six Local Authorities within the mid and west Wales area (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys and Swansea).

They are publicly accountable and have a statutory responsibility to maintain a fire and rescue service for our communities, in accordance with the following legislation and regulations:

• Local Government (Wales) Act 1994;

• Mid & West Wales (Combination Scheme) Order 1995;

• Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005;

• Combined Fire & Rescue Services Schemes (variation) Wales Order 2009;

• Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 amended 2011;

• Fire and Rescue Services National Framework;

• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Authority has a statutory obligation to maintain a Fire and Rescue Service capable of dealing effectively with calls for assistance in the case of fire and other emergencies.

Fire Authority


Salary: £122,482

About this Job

As a key member of the Service’s Executive Leadership Team, the successful post holder will provide Strategic support to ensure and facilitate an efficient and effective service mitigating risks as necessary. The role also involves discharging the Executive responsibilities as Deputy Head of Paid Service for the Fire Authority.

The post holder with be required to provide Principal Officer cover for the Service and to act as Gold Commander where appropriate.

The successful candidate will provide Line Management support to the Department Heads within the designated Directorate.

In addition to providing Strategic support the post will be responsible for the Directorate of Service Delivery which includes the following:-

• 6 County Commands;• Pembrokeshire;• Ceredigion;• Carmarthenshire;• Powys;• Neath Port Talbot;• Swansea.

• Joint Public Service Centre (Fire Control);• Community Safety;• Business Fire Safety;• Corporate Communications & Business Development Department.

Special Conditions• The post holder will be expected to reside within mid and west Wales.• The post will involve working out of normal office hours.• The candidate will require a Basic DBS clearance.• The individual will be expected to undertake Continuous Duty requirements.

Job Profile


Job Description

TITLE OF POST: Deputy Chief Fire Officer

ROLE: Brigade Manager

POST REFERENCE FIR.002

LOCATION: Service Headquarters, Carmarthen

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Fire Officer

MAIN PURPOSEOF JOB:

To discharge the Executive responsibilities and duties as Deputy Head of Paid Service for the Fire Authority.

To provide Strategic support to ensure and facilitate an efficient and effective service mitigating risks as necessary.

To provide Line Management support to the Department Heads within the designated Directorate.

To provide Principal Officers cover for the Service and to act as Gold Commander where appropriate.

1. To assist the Chief Fire Officer in the discharge of his executive responsibilities as the Authority’s Chief Fire Officer and Head of Paid Service.

Chief Fire Officer

2. To take command of the Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service as directed by the Chief Fire Officer, in the latter’s absence. To deputise for and/or represent the Chief Fire Officer when they are not available within the Service. To attend and take command of emergency incidents as necessary.

Chief Fire Officer

3. To be a member of the Executive Board and the Executive Leadership Team with direct responsibility for the strategic direction and development of the functions within the designated Directorate.

Chief Fire Officer


4. To provide direct line management support to the Department Heads within the designated Directorate.

Chief Fire Officer

5. To chair Committees as appropriate. Chief Fire Officer

6. To co-ordinate the management of change across all areas of the Service’s activity, maintaining the focus on the ethos of continuous improvement.

Chief Fire Officer

7. To supervise, and where appropriate, participate in Principal Officers Inspections.

Chief Fire Officer

8. Generally to co-ordinate the activities of all Senior Officers.

Chief Fire Officer

9. To co-ordinate matters relating to Disputes and Grievance Procedures.

Chief Fire Officer

10. To lead the annual business planning, performance monitoring, target setting and review process.

Chief Fire Officer

11. To actively promote the concept of quality and effectiveness in all Service functions.

Chief Fire Officer

12. To ensure the Authority’s employment and procedural Policies, including Equality and Diversity Protocols, are fully implemented across the Service.

Chief Fire Officer

• The responsibility for administering the contents of this job description lies with the post-holder. • The post-holder should continually check this job description and any responsibility not included

and any proposed variations should be the subject of discussion with the Line-Manager.

Name: Date:

Signed: Pr No:


Personal Specifications

TITLE OF POST: Deputy Chief Fire Officer

LOCATION: Service Headquarters, Carmarthen

POST NUMBER: 002

RANK / ROLE: Brigade Manager

DEPARTMENT: Executive Board

1. Degree level qualification in a business related subject or equivalent, which could include successful completion of Executive Leadership Programme.

Application Form

2. Current experience at Strategic Manager level or equivalent, in Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service.

Application Form

3. Close working with Elected Members. Application Form and Interview

4. Active involvement in NFCC policy development. Application Form and Interview

QUALIFICATIONS / COMPETENCES

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESSMENT


5. Experience of managing performance management systems.

Application Form and Interview

6. Experience of substantial involvement in policy and budget review.


7. Appreciation of the relationship between Welsh Assembly Government, local Fire and Rescue Services and the wider public service in Wales.


8. Experience in dealing with Elected Members, Representative Bodies and politicians at a Senior Management level.


9. An understanding of the concept of Performance Improvement and its implications for the Fire Service.


10. Experience of promoting the organisation at a senior level with outside bodies, the press and media.


11. Successful track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams/functions to achieve common ends.


12. Thorough knowledge of political & financial framework that the Service operates within.


ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESSMENT


ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESSMENT

13. The ability to present verbally to Committees & large groups and to prepare such presentations to tight deadlines.


14. Willingness to involve all relevant groups in policy & service development.


15. Commitment to develop the quality ethos across all service delivery areas.


16. An objective and rational approach to decision making / problem solving.


17. Well-developed interpersonal skills, consistent with a modern working environment.


18. Flexibility & adaptability to meet conflicting priorities and pressures.


19. Exceptionally good oral and written communication skills and abilities.


20. Evidence of clear commitment to equality and organisational diversity.


SKILLS AND ABILITIES


21. Able to demonstrate corporate vision and understanding of organisational-wide issues and policies.


22. Welsh written and verbal skills. Application Form and Interview

23. Appreciation of Welsh cultural, language and political identity.


24. Well-developed negotiating skills to provide a clear focus for action.


ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESSMENT

25. Evidence of non-work activities to provide a proper work-life balance.


ATTITUDES/INTERESTS

WHERE A CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS RELEVANT TO THIS POST THE LEVEL OF CHECK AND JUSTIFICATION FOR CARRYING OUT SUCH A CHECK IS SPECIFIED BELOW:

JUSTIFICATION:..............................................................................................................................................

PREPARED BY: Chief Fire Officer DATE PREPARED: October 2018

STANDARD DISCLOSURE: ENHANCED DISCLOSURE:


Appointments process

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact:Chris Davies, Chief Fire Officer at Service Headquarters, Carmarthen. Telephone: 0370 60 60 699.

• The closing date for applications is: 19 November 2018.

• Shortlisting will take place on: 29 November 2018.

• Selection will be in the form of formal interview with the Fire Authority’s Appointments Committee on: 17 December 2018.

Applications should be submitted to:

Miss Lizzie GudgeonMid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceHuman Resources Department, Lime Grove Avenue,Carmarthen,SA31 1SP.

Email: [email protected]

www.mawwfire.gov.uk

Deputy Chief Fire Officer · petrochemical industries in Milford Haven, to the risks associated...

Documents

Transcript of Deputy Chief Fire Officer · petrochemical industries in Milford Haven, to the risks associated...