Reference:
Request detail:
I am undertaking some research into on call fire firefighter staffing and related issues in connection with the 'people' element of HMI inspections, and would greatly appreciate information from your fire service in response to the following questions please?:
How many firefighters are currently employed by your fire service?
How many of your firefighters are on call?
How many hours are your on call firefighters (if any) contracted to per week as a minimum?
Do all your on call firefighters have an annual appraisal?
Are their appraisals conducted on a one to one basis?
Who conducts the appraisal and do you have an example of the form used?
Are there any other forms of acknowledging good performance/achievements by on call firefighters?
What, if any, equipment (other than clothing and pager/alerter) are your on call firefighters provided with?
Are email bulletins/updates sent directly to all on call firefighters? If so, how regularly?
What is your HMI inspection rating?
Response detail:
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please see responses below.
How many firefighters are currently employed by your fire service? 447
How many of your firefighters are on call? 317
How many hours are your on call firefighters (if any) contracted to per week as a minimum? Firefighters are contracted to one of two contracts 1-minimum of 120 hours per week , 2 – minimum of 84 hours per week.
Do all your on call firefighters have an annual appraisal? Yes , all have an individual personal development review (IPDR)
Are their appraisals conducted on a one to one basis? Yes
Who conducts the appraisal and do you have an example of the form used? Line manager . Please see attached screenshots of the Pre-IPDR Self-Assessment and the IPDR completed by the line manager
Are there any other forms of acknowledging good performance/achievements by on call firefighters? Yes ,we hold celebration of successes every year to acknowledge this. We also have various awards for new recruits (Top recruit ,team player and most improved)
What, if any, equipment (other than clothing and pager/alerter) are your on call firefighters provided with? Stations are issued with a number of tablets to assist in remote working if required.
Are email bulletins/updates sent directly to all on call firefighters? If so, how regularly? We have a weekly newsletter that is sent to all personnel .We also distribute bulletins ,safety flashes and training notes to all relevant personnel as and when required.
What is your HMI inspection rating? Good across all three pillars of the inspection programme
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can complain or request an internal review of the decision. This must be done within 40 working days of receiving this response. You can do this by writing to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, St. Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2HJ or email: enquiries@shropshirefire.gov.uk.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
