Archived decisions

Appx A

HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Address:

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters

Leigh Road

Eastleigh

Hants S050 9SJ

Telephone:

023 8064 4000

Fax:

023 8064 3178

Contact:

The Senior Officer responsible for maintenance of this scheme is: Mr Philip Webb e-mail address: [email protected]

1

Introduction: what a publication scheme is and why it has been developed

One of the aims of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (which is referred to as FOIA in the rest of this document) is that public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public. To do this they must produce a publication scheme, setting out:

· The classes of information which they publish or intend to publish;

· The manner in which the information will be published; and

· Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment

The Authority's publication scheme consists of information already published and held by the Authority or information which is to be published in the future. That means that all information in our publication scheme is either available for you on our website to download and print off or available in traditional document form. Information within the publication scheme will be available either free or at a charge - we explain which is free or which will be provided at a charge later in this scheme.

Some information which we hold may not be made public, for example information about national security or court records.

2

Classes of information published by the Authority

The publication scheme guides you to information which we currently publish (or have recently published) or which we will publish in the future - this is split into `classes' of information.

The `classes' of information currently published are contained in section 4 of this Scheme. Details of how the information is or will be published and any fees charged for information contained in the publication scheme are set out in the same section.

The classes in the scheme are based on our departmental functions. Under each heading there is a list of the information which we publish which relates to that function.

For example, information under the heading of `personnel' includes recruitment, training, discipline policies and so on.

3

What we do: Functions of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Authority is responsible for carrying out the duties required by the Fire Services Act 1947. These include:

· Securing the services of a fire brigade for its area;

· Securing the efficient training of its fire fighters;

· Making sure arrangements are in place to receive calls and summon members of the fire brigade;

· Gathering information on the character of buildings and water supplies;

· Securing arrangements to alleviate damage to property in the course of firefighting;

· Giving fire safety advice.

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority sets an annual budget which is levied on the constituent authorities: Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council.

The Authority also carries out other functions, such as rescue services or attending non-fire incidents. These include:

· rescuing trapped and/or injured people where no fire is involved e.g. at road accidents;

· dealing with spillages and accidental release of substances endangering life or the environment e.g. chemical or toxic substances inadvertently released; and

· responding to extreme weather conditions e.g. pumping water from flooded property (for information about this see under Rescue Services below)

The Authority was established in 1997 as part of local government re-organisation and in accordance with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority (Combination Scheme) Order 1997. The Members of the Authority are drawn from the councils of Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton as follows:

Hampshire County Council

19 Members

Portsmouth City Council

3 Members

Southampton City Council

3 Members

The Hampshire Fire Authority is independent of the constituent councils and is responsible for overseeing the Fire and Rescue Service finances, strategies and operations.

As part of its duties laid down in the Fire Services Act 1947, the Authority provides fire safety advice to the community. This means educating the public about fire safety and the measures they can take to reduce the incidence of fire.

Our mission:

`To make Hampshire safer'

We do this by:

`Promoting greater understanding and responsible attitudes towards fire safety'

and by

`Providing a highly responsive, caring and efficient fire and rescue service'

4

Classes of information currently published

We have a comprehensive web-site which is accessible on www.hantsfire.gov.uk. This site is regularly updated and it is our aim to make this the principle method by which you can access information held by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. Information accessed from our website is free-of-charge.

Note: Access to information so marked with an asterisk is restricted - either because it is of a confidential nature or it is exempt under the Act.

Class of information

Sub-heading

Format of Information

Availability and cost

Operational - fire fighting and rescue

Policies/Procedures Manuals

· Major Incident Plans*

· Incident Management System

· Risk Management System

· Standard Operating Procedures*

HFRS Website

Internal Documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk (free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

· Fire Cover - Review and methodology

Maps, photographs and internal documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

· Vehicles/Appliances

· Operational Equipment

· Special Services

· Firefighting-at-sea

· Statistical analysis

Internal documents

Cost: See section 8.

Personnel and Training

· Recruitment - Policy and Procedures

· Integrated Personnel Development System (IPDS)

· Vacancies

· Induction Policy

· Brigade Promotion Procedures

· Terms and Conditions

· Discipline Procedure

· Grievance Procedure

· Staff Personal Development Plans

· Equal Opportunities Policy

· Training Strategy together with available courses

· Pension Regulations and Schemes

· Operational Training Manuals

HFRS Website/Internal Documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk (free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

· Data Protection/Freedom of Information

· Health and Safety Policy and Procedures

Policies, procedures and guidance documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost:

See section 8.

Occupational Health and Safety

· Occupational Health Advice

HFRS Website

Leaflets

Internal Documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk (free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Managing the Service

· Guidance on Management

· Policies and Procedures

· Vision. Mission Statement

· Service Structure

HFRS Website

Internal documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Plans and Procedures

· Corporate Plan (incorporating Best Value Performance Plan)

· Community Fire Safety Plan

HFRS Website

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

· Service Plans (by function)

· Complaints Procedure

Internal Documents

Leaflets

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Budget

· Annual abstract of Accounts

Fire Authority Reports

Public Library

· Annual Budget

· Charges for Special Services

Internal documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Premises (locations of fire stations etc)

· Fire Stations

HFRS Website

www.hantsfire.gov.uk (free)

· Training Centre

· Headquarters

· Workshop and stores

Maps, photographs and telephone numbers

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Purchasing and supply

· Strategic Procurement Strategy

· Appliance and ancillary vehicles

· Uniform and Personal Protective clothing

HFRS website

Internal documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Information and Communication Technology

· Implementing Electronic Government Statement

HFRS website

ODPM website

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

www.odpm.gov.uk

(free)

· Communications Networks

· Communications Procedures

· Collaborative Projects eg Radio Strategy Project

Internal Documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Public Relations

· News/Press Releases

· Incidents of interest

· Newsletter - 'Hantsfire News'

HFRS website

Internal documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Community Fire Safety

· Fire Safety at Home and Community

· Community Fire Safety Plan

· Fire Safety for Schools - Key stages 1, 2 and 3 Schools Education Programme

· Fire Safety Campaign

· Young Firefighters Association

HFRS website

Brochures, posters, stickers and videos

Internal documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Technical Fire Safety and Enforcement

· False alarm call policy

· Unwanted fire call strategy

· Fire Setter Counselling Scheme

· Fire Certificate Process

Internal Documents

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Performance

· District Audit - Audit reports/letters

HFRS Website

www.hantsfire.gov.uk (free)

· HM Fire Service Inspectorate Reports

ODPM website

www.odpm.gov.uk (free)

· Best Value Indicators

HFRS website

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

· Local Performance Indicators

· Best Value Performance Plan

· Best Value /Scoping Reviews

· Brigade Statistical Information

· Performance Management

HFRS website

Internal documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

Fire Authority Committees

· Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority minutes

· HFRA Finance and General Purposes Committee

· HFRA Personnel Committee

· HFRA Best Value Committee

HFRA website

Open reports and minutes

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

Public Library

·

Partnerships

· Equal Opportunities Policy

· Local Partnership Agreements

· Partnership at Work Project

· Register of Members Interests

· Code of Conduct for Members

· Members Handbook

· Delegated Powers

· Standing Orders

· Contract Procedure Rules

· Financial Procedure Rules

HFRS website

Internal documents

www.hantsfire.gov.uk

(free)

Printed copy available by post or by contacting Service Headquarters

Cost: See section 8.

5

Other Useful website addresses

The information you are looking for may also be available from the following organisations or on their websites. The websites listed below are an excellent source of information and if the documents are downloaded or printed off by the enquirer they provide a quick response and inexpensive option to obtain the information required.

However, the Authority takes no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of information contained on the following sites:

-

Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association (CACFOA) -

www.fire-uk.org

-

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)

· Fire Health & Safety Directorate - www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/fire/fepd/fepd.htm

· Fire Research Division - www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/fire/fepd/frdg.htm

· Fire Policy Division - www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/fire/fepd/fpu.htm

· Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate - www.safety.odpm.gov.uk/fire/fepd/hmfsi.htm

-

UK Online Government - www.ukonline.gov.uk

-

Local Government Association (LGA) - www.lga.gov.uk

-

FireNet International - www.fire.org.uk

-

Fire Services Act 1947 - www.fire.org.uk/fsact/intro.htm

-

Hampshire County Council - www.hants.gov.uk

6

Making an application for other Information to the Authority

As well as being able to access information which is publicly available under this Publication Scheme we will also answer queries under the existing Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This allows you to write and ask us to supply you with specific information.

You can also apply for a copy of the personal data we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998 - that is information relating to an applicant that has arisen through their employment with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority or information obtained about an individual through the Authority's statutory functions. There is a fee of £10 and you should contact the Authority's Data Protection Officer, Philip Webb, on 023 8064 4000 Ext 395 or by e-mail, [email protected].

7

Applications for information after January 2005 under FOIA

After January 2005 you will be able to ask the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority for information which is not already published elsewhere nor exempt under the FOIA. Under the FOIA you will have the right to ask for information to be provided in a particular way and we will try to meet your request. You will be able to ask for assistance if you have any difficulty in formulating or making an application by contacting the Service's Performance Review Team, telephone 023 8064 4000 or e-mail: [email protected] We will help you as much as possible but we are not required to search for the information you request unless we have:

· a clear and understandable request with enough detail to identify and locate the information;

· your name and address so we can respond to your request; and

· an indication about the form in which you want the information.

This will ensure that your application is dealt with as quickly as possible. You should give as much detail as you can in order to assist us in locating the information that you require. Some documents may include exempt information so you will only get the information which is not exempt. You only have a right to information and not necessarily to documents.

8

Costs

Any fee charged will be calculated by looking at the costs directly and reasonably incurred locating the information you have asked for and giving it to you. You will then be sent a `fees notice' which you will have to pay within three months of your request - you will not receive information until you have paid the costs in the fees notice.

If the estimated cost of providing the information would be above the appropriate limit set by the Government then we will not be under a duty to provide the information. However, the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority will inform you if the limit will be exceeded and we will try to let you know what can be provided within the limit. Despite not being obliged to provide information which exceeds the limit the HFRA still has a duty to advise and assist.

In order to protect the HFRA there will be rules which govern multiple applications for information which are clearly trying to avoid the financial limits set by the Government. However, we will try to help you as much as possible to get the information you want

9

Complaints and Feedback

If you want to make any comments about this publication scheme or if you require further assistance or need to make a complaint then initially this should be addressed to the Service's Performance Review Team, telephone 023 8064 4000 or e-mail: [email protected]

If you are not satisfied with the assistance that you get from the Authority or if we have not been able to resolve your complaint and you feel that a formal complaint needs to be made then this should be addressed to the office of the Information Commissioner. This is the organisation that ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and that deals with formal complaints. They can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

or

Enquiry/Information Line: 01625 545 745

e-mail: [email protected]

This document will be made available in other languages or on audio cassette upon request.