Training Upper & Middle Management

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please find responses below

1. Is there a unified system of professional training in your area? For example, courses by skill and topics?

Training specifications are set out in the National Operational Guidance (NOG) https://www.ukfrs.com/ . NOG is a framework covering practical application, knowledge and understanding of a wide variety of fire service operational activities. NOG is considered good practice and each fire and rescue service are encouraged to align their training with the guidance. In conjunction with this the guidance complies with fire and rescue service National Occupational Standards (NOS). NOS are the practical and knowledge based criteria that support firefighter development and once demonstrated to an acceptable standard prove that individuals are competent to in their role as a firefighter.

Some training is also determined by legal requirements, other guidance such as health and safety or local requirements in response to local risks.

2. Is the system uniform for all or do you also have special courses for middle and upper management?

The aim of the above is to provide a standard approach to all training, however it is only guidance and individual fire and rescue services can decide what training to undertake based on their own risk assessments.There is additional training for middle and senior managers. Some of this is uniform, such as incident command. The training required for middle and senior managers will depend upon their role, whether they carry out any specialised functions and the local requirements.

3. Does your system also allow individual training for members of a certain level of management or not?

There is a National Development framework which provides guidance for training at all levels of management. Individual fire and rescue services will set out their own requirements for career development at all levels. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service do encourage and provide for individual learning but this may not be standard across all fire and rescue services.

4. Does your education system also allow foreign language learning?

All our training and development activities are in English. Bilingualism is considered to help learners understand technical information, however it is expected that all assessments are carried out in English.

5) Is there a concept in the field of education for a given period or is it created operatively?

Training periods are determined locally based on the risk profile of the local community and the risks associated with activities. There is national guidance on training frequencies for some fire and rescue service activities, such as 2 yearly assessments for breathing apparatus training.