The Institution of Fire EngineersBackground, Overview and Objectives

John Judd QFSM BA FI Fire EChairman, Board of Directors

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Introductions

Andy Hickmott, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

Tony Proctor & Andy Brookes, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Dr Jim Marsden, Board member,The Institution of Fire Engineers

Louise Craig, General Manager, The Institution of Fire Engineers

The Institution

Formed in 1918 to improve the professional standing of fire fighters to that of other professional engineers

International body with 11,000 members in in 21 countries, 32 branches -19 in UK

Governance –Registered Charity, Ltd Company, 12 person board and International General Assembly

Our object and vision

Object

“To encourage and improve the science and practice of Fire Extinction, Fire Prevention and Fire Engineering and all operations and expedients connected therewith, and to give an impulse to ideas likely to be useful in connection with or in relation to such science and practice to the members of the Institution and to the community at large”.

Vision Our vision is to establish an international platform that

Is inclusive of all fire professionals Sets and maintains professional standards Provides personal value and opportunity to members Facilitates a global learning network Has technical, regulatory and social influence Is recognised as an independent voice for the

profession

And through all of this, work towards a society safe from fire.

Examinations

Delivering fire service examinations since 1924 International sittings in March each year Emphasis on understanding not recall Foundation on which to build with CPD Standards not negotiable Ability to relate content to role “Specialist” papers

The projects

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue

Greater Manchester initiative

Operational focus, but enquires about fire safety under discussion

Way forward, open for discussion

Seeking views and “expressions of interest”

Memorandum of understanding

Setting and Marking Timetable Final date for applications

end Nov.08

Meeting of Senior Examiners

to finalise papers9th September 2008

Final QA of papers 6th Oct.08

Examinations

12/13 March 2009

New Marker’s Training

6th April 2009

Marking week w/c 26th April 2009

Results releaselate May 2009

Specialist Input & Professional Development

Eur Ing Dr J Marsden BEng(Hons) CEng FIFireE MEI

IFE Board member, Education

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Introduction

The importance of knowledge and understanding

Increasing uptake of IFE examinations

Cross mapping to roles

Specialist input

The Importance of Knowledge and Understanding

Can Explain (Facts and data)

Can interpret (Tell a story! Translate)

Can apply (Use and adapt)

Has perspective (See the big picture)

Can empathise (Find value)

Have self-knowledge (Perceives style)

Increasing Uptake in IFE Exams

Steadily increased 2006 15% increase 2007 25% increase

3,204 bookings for exam papers in 2008 Exams delivered in 87 centres worldwide Additional papers for Greater Manchester,

Merseyside and Northern Ireland [241 Intermediate papers; 194 Graduate papers]

Cross-Mapping to Roles

Intermediate exams Crew Manager

Graduate exams Watch Manager

Membership exams Station Manager

Senior Examiner

SeniorExaminer

SeniorExaminer

SeniorExaminer

SeniorExaminer

Chief Examiner & IFE Exams

Officer

Examiners

Examiners

Examiners

Examiners

Examiners

Specialist Input

Examination Structure

Questions encourage candidates to express themselves.

All questions are set by experienced Senior Examiners & coordinated by the Chief Examiner and IFE professional team.

The examination panel reviews and audits the examination process.

QA, Costing Models & Project Response

Louise Craig BA (Hons) TQFE MScIFE General Manager

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Quality Assurance: Criteria

Plan of provision Corporate governance Administration Assessment instruments that are…

Valid Authentic Current Reliable Sufficient

[QCA, ACCAC, SQA, CCEA,]

Costing Models Individual Membership of IFE

•Student

•Technician

•Graduate

Exam Fee(s)

Possible Local Charge (dependant on support

of branch)

Affiliate Organisation…

Costing Models

CENTRAL VARIABLE

(Candidates)

LOCAL (Exams &

Candidates)

CENTRAL FIXED

(Exams)

Project Response Bucks FRS – highly tailored, based on local risk

Project Response

GMFRS, NIFRS & Merseyside: 435 papers

Intermediate pass rate: 83% (Int1) > International average

63% (Int2) < International average

Graduate pass rate: 87% (Fire Safety); 82% (Operations) 68% (Fire Eng.Science); 57% (HRM)

all Graduate papers > International average

Vocationally-Related Qualifications

Award Certificate Diploma

e.g.Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Emergency Fire Services Operations in the Community

“All units are assessed individually; there is no holistic assessment of the qualification.”

“Centres are responsible for implementing quality control procedures (internal verification). These procedures are supported by an Edexcel External Verification system of quality control and National Standards Sampling”

Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Emergency Fire Services Operations in the Community

1. Community Safety Awareness [task-based controlled assessment]

2. Personal & Organisational Development for Fire Fighters [task-based controlled assessment]

3. Hazards & Risks in Operational Incidents [portfolio]

4. Fire Operations [portfolio]

5. Incidents Involving Buildings & Structures [portfolio]

6. Supporting the Effectiveness of Operational Response [portfolio]

Defence FRS Approach1. Own exam board following national syllabus

for promotion exams with added airfield fire & rescue paper

2. 3 year “window” – ended Feb083. Exams written into development programmes

(Ops & Fire Safety) for Crew/Watch/Station Managers

4. Incident management exams for Watch Manager & Station Manager

Defence FRS“This is a very deliberate move due to our serious concern over lack of assessment of the underpinning knowledge requirements within IPDS as originally introduced.”

“Things have moved on…the Institution may provide us with an alternative to producing and managing our own examinations.”

Mr G P KnightActing Assistant Chief Officer,

Head of Human Resources & Development

Awarding Body for Fire Professionals

1. Desktop review2. Dialogue via phone & e-mail3. Vocational Awarding Body Pilot event4. Formal dialogue meeting5. Sector support6. Submission of banking documents7. QCA panel

Questions of Clarification?

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Future Options

Delegates and Panel

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Expressions of Interest

Delegates and Panel

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Next Steps and Timetable

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Tea and Close

Thank you

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