HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

Item 17

MINUTES OF THE FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY MEETING

HELD AT BASINGSTOKE FIRE STATION

ON THURSDAY 14 APRIL 2005

Dave Curry
Kevin Butcher
Mark Rayner
Bob Ratcliffe
Andy Kettle

Cllr M Cartwright
Cllr K Chapman
Cynthia Foster-Key - UNISON
Shanti Waas
Jenny McNeill
Lee Joss - Minutes

1

Apologies For Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr R Baulk, Gary Roe, Graham Reeve, Alan Murray, Ian Mills, Niall Hayden, Alan Jenvey, Andy Needham, Binzy Reynolds and Sue Brumitt.

2

Introduction

2.1

Dave Curry thanked Basingstoke for hosting the meeting and for the good turnout. He then introduced DO Andy Bowers.

3

Guest Speaker

3.1

Andy Bowers gave a presentation on the new Firefighter Selection Tests (FST) and ran through the main elements of the process.

3.2

The audience raised the following questions :-

3.3

How were the fitness tests different from the present system?

Andy Bowers explained that the tests were now defensible as they were based on scientific evidence

3.4

Will the Retained do the same selection tests?

Yes

3.5

Will these tests form part of the selection process at higher ranks?

It was confirmed that there will be a different process for each level but this had not yet been determined.

3.6

Will the interview process not be biased against younger applicants due to lack of experience?

It was not felt that this would be the case.

3.7

Will there be specific questions relating to ethnicity?

The questions will cover all aspects of equality and diversity.

3.8

Will there be scenario based questions in the interview?

There will be no hypothetical questions as these do not give a good indication of a person's abilities.

3.9

Must a candidate pass all the elements of the selection test?

Yes

Dave Curry thanked Andy Bowers for an excellent presentation.

4

Equality Impact Assessment Development

4.1

Dave Curry explained what Equality Impact Assessments were and advised that all Functions were undertaking these. The first stage had been that every action in each Function had been judged against the Race Relations Act and prioritised. The second stage had been to judge the same actions against the other five aspects of the Equalities Agenda and to look at what changes need to be made, if any. This work was being monitored and supported by the Local Diversity Group and the outcome will take a number of years to complete resulting in a reduction of barriers so that the people we employ and the service we provide will be available to all the community across Hampshire.

5

Equality and Diversity

5.1

The Service now had clear leadership on Equality and Diversity issues and were moving forward positively. An Equalities and Diversity Project Board had been formed which had agreed to the employment of three Outreach Workers, an Equalities Trainer and Administrative support. The Outreach Workers will be a direct resource for the Stations to forge links within the community.

5.2

Legislation on the Disabilities Discrimination Act had recently changed which will impact on the Service.

5.3

Equality and Diversity training on all the stations was continuing and more structured training courses for Authority Members were planned.

5.4

A team was continuing to attend Careers Fairs and other initiatives were planned throughout the year to promote positive action.

6

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

6.1

A Race Equality Scheme had been revised over the last few months and would be distributed and published on the Website shortly. Managers need to be aware of the contents of this document. Dave Curry thanked Andy Kettle and Shanti Waas for all their hard work in producing this document.

7

Any Other Business

7.1

There was no other business.

8

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 14 July at St Mary's Fire Station

Dave Curry thanked everyone for their attendance.