The work of the Practitioners' Forum

The Practitioners Forum advises ministers, ensuring that they take into account the views of Fire and Rescue Service practitioners during the development and implementation of policy.

The Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA) plays a pivotal role in this forum, providing the Chair and the Secretariat.  This ensures that the strategic direction for the service is developed in light of practical considerations; and that specific policy initiatives are deliverable, and are consistent with working practices on the ground. 

The Forum advises ministers on: 

• Driving forward the national implementation of fire policy and reforming agenda.
• Delivering the National Framework in partnership with all fire and rescue stakeholders, and providing a consistent approach to the practical implementation of policy change and operational reforms.
• Ensuring that the vision for the Fire and Rescue Service remains current and relevant.
• Developing the Fire and Rescue Service, in particular, through a Centre of Excellence.

The Forum provides professional advice, guidance and support to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and fire and rescue authorities regarding policy implementation, constitutional reform, and the improvement programme.

It promotes the involvement of the Fire and Rescue Service in the community safety agenda, and ensures that the interests of the Service are recognised and used to achieve the Governments community well-being agenda.

The Forum allows the Fire Service College to contribute to the National Strategic Framework, to support the development of IPDS and to play a part in the future leadership of the Fire and Rescue Service.

The Forum has a role in promoting equality and diversity within the Fire and Rescue Service, and amongst the wider stakeholders.

Terms of reference

Advise ministers on those matters on which ministers request advice and on other matters
so as to ensure that Ministers take account of the views of those engaged in operating the
Fire and Rescue Service when they make decisions on the development and
implementation of policy.   In particular, the Forum will advise ministers on how to:

• drive forward the national implementation of fire policy and achievement of a reform agenda;
• deliver the National Framework in partnership with all fire and rescue stakeholders
  both internally and externally and provide a consistent approach to the practical
  implementation of policy changes and operational reforms;
• ensure that the vision for the Fire and Rescue Service remains current and relevant;
• develop the Fire and Rescue Service, in particular through a Centre of Excellence.

Provide professional advice, guidance and support to the DCLG and fire and rescue authorities in respect of the practical implementation of specific policy initiatives,
constitutional reform, and the improvement programme.

Promote the involvement of the Fire and Rescue Service in the community safety agenda
ensuring that the interests of the Service are recognised and used for the achievement of
the Government’s community well-being agenda.

Provide the “User Group” for the Fire Service College supporting its contribution to the
National Strategic Framework, the support and development of IPDS and the future
leadership of the Fire and Rescue Service.

The Forum will ensure that in conducting business it will take every opportunity to promote
equality and diversity within the Fire and Rescue Service and the wider stakeholders.

See http://www.pforum.fire.gov.uk/ for more information.

Click here for a list of Practitioners' Forum Members and Organisations.