A Guide for Managers Fire Service Guide Volume 2

By its very nature the work of the fire service has always been hazardous. Firefighters are frequently exposed to risks, whether it be in operational situations or during training.

It is a reality that each year a number of firefighters are injured, some seriously, and occasionally some make the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the public.

Whilst some fire brigade officers may see health and safety as another bureaucratic burden that gets in the way of doing the job, there is no doubt that fire brigade officers care for those under their command.

This guidance has been prepared with a view to better enabling fire brigades to meet their moral and legal obligations or 'duty of care' to all their employees and other persons who may be affected by their work.

• The policy and objectives set by the Chief Officer, Firemaster.
• The commitment of individual managers throughout the brigade to achieving those objectives within the brigade management plan.

• Like any other command or management fi~nction, the main responsibility for health and safety rests with them as managers.
• The responsibility should not be delegated to advisers, despite the importance of their role as professionals in the field.
• Managers can be held personally responsible for failures to control health and safety.