Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee Item 8

15/03/200519 November 2008

Initial evaluation of Error! Bookmark not defined.mobile working technology for staff in the Community Safety Protection Department

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: Brian Neat, Group Manager Telephone: 023 8064 4000

1

Summary

   

1.1

Some positive and encouraging results have emerged from the use of mobile technology by staff engaged in carrying out fire safety enforcement work. During the trial year, there was a 15% increase in the number of fire safety audits completed and a 13% reduction in the levels of sickness absence.

   

1.2

It is anticipated that further productivity and efficiency gains will be achieved when the next stage of technology roll-out (the provision of mobile printing) is implemented.

   

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

   

2.1

That the benefits arising from the use of mobile technology in the Community Safety Protection Department be noted.

   

3

The trial

   

3.1

The purpose of the `mobile working' trial was to establish whether there would be significant tangible benefits from the use of mobile technology by fire safety inspectors and managers when carrying out fire safety enforcement work.

   

3.2

A business case was put to the Service's `e-focus Group' and funding was allocated for the provision of the equipment and some associated software development. The technology hardware included laptop-style or `tablet' personal computers (PCs) with mobile communications capability. Data captured at the point of delivery of the audits would be electronically fed to the Community Fire Safety Management Information System (CFRMIS). The cost of supplying tablet PCs would be partly offset by an equivalent reduction in the number of desktop computers.

   
   

3.3

The anticipated benefits were to:

· improve the speed and quality of service to those receiving fire safety audits

· improve the accuracy and consistency of legal documentation

· increase productivity in the number of fire safety audits carried out

· provide flexibility for individual inspectors and managers to plan workloads

· make more efficient use of limited resources

· simplify and clarify administrative tasks

· reduce travel between office bases and audit locations

   

3.4

A pilot scheme was started in April 2007 with mobile technology issued to a small team of six fire safety inspectors and four office managers. This was gradually rolled-out during 2007 to all inspectors and office managers. A total of 40 personnel.

   

4

Benefits achieved

   

4.1

The total number of audits carried out during the trial was 225. This was 30 (15%) above the planned programme for the period. However, we need to be mindful that the duration of audits (time spent at premises by inspectors) can vary considerably depending on the construction, use and size buildings. So, while this increase in productivity is certainly encouraging, we will continue to evaluate whether this level of improvement will be typical and sustainable.

   

4.2

There is growing evidence that people working in more flexible ways tend to be better motivated, more productive, have a better work-life balance and take less time off for sickness and other reasons. In 2006/07 the number of days lost to sickness in the Community Safety Protection Department averaged 12.4; in 2007/08 this reduced to 10.7 days - 13 % improvement. This reduction will have been a significant contributory factor in the increase in productivity.

   

5

Potential future benefits

   

5.1

An essential requirement for full mobile-working is the means for inspectors to print documentation (Notification of Fire Safety Deficiencies and Article 31 Prohibition Notices) at clients' premises. So, further efficiency gains are possible once an acceptable solution for mobile printing can be implemented. This will enable inspectors to reduce further some aspects of travel such as journeys to office bases to produce the statutory documentation.

   

5.2

This will be worth pursuing because the 30 inspecting staff engaged in carrying out on-site audit-related work travelled a total of 32,588 in 2007/08. It is estimated that this will have produced 11,273 kg of carbon dioxide - enough to fill six hot air balloons. This will provide a benchmark for evaluating reductions in travel and carbon footprint for the future.

   

5.3

Alternative means of transport will also be considered including the use of motorcycles. The South East Group is planning to conduct a trial using bicycles for some journeys.

   
   

6

Contribution to corporate aims and objectives

   

6.1

The use of electronic technology to improve the quality of service delivery and increase the efficiency of our fire safety audit programme was introduced in our IRMP 2006/2009 as PR05 E-fire safety and continued into the IRMP 2007/2010.

   

7

Risk Analysis

   

7.1

Failure to make further progress with the implementation of a mobile printing solution would mean that the full benefits of mobile working would not be realised.

   

7.2

Health and Safety aspects of the Directive on `Display Screen Equipment' will continue to be addressed during the further roll-out of the project.

   

8

Financial Implications

   

8.1

The provision of mobile technology hardware was funded from within existing budgets - provided as a pump-priming sum from the `e-focus' budget. Provision will need to be identified in future budgets for the mobile printing solution and future replacement/upgrading of the equipment.

   

9

Equality Impact Assessment

   

9.1

A People Impact Assessment has been completed with no adverse elements identified.

   

9.2

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

   

10

Consultation

   

10.1

Representative bodies will be consulted on the new Service Order covering the day-to-day management of mobile working.

   
 

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

 

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

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