About the IRS Project - Overview

In using the IRS system information on all incidents attended will be collected in the same way using the same core set of questions.

Using the information collected on all ‘incidents attended’ will lead to a greater knowledge and understanding of how FRSs operate and will help quantify the real effort involved in attending incidents other than primary fires . This reflects new statutory responsibilities such as attending Road Traffic Collisions.

Full training and guidance will be provided for staff on the use of the IRS system. There will also be an IRS Helpdesk available dealing with queries about the new system from 1 October 2007.

IRS - History

"The current fire data collection system...falls short of current business practices" Photo: Merseyside FRS

The current fire data collection system dates from 1994 and falls short of current business practices as the data collected is no longer current to requirements. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) currently collects data on serious fires and resultant deaths and injuries from the 59 UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs).

The IRS project will modernise the existing fire data collection system by radically changing methods of data collection to meet new business needs, replacing manual data input of paper records with a fully automated electronic data capture system and will also provide better data for the FRSs Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP) and Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs). The system will also supply the future data requirements of the Fire Service Emergency Cover project (FSEC), Fire Control, and Fundamental Research and Development. The FRS will also be able to use this better quality data for their own purposes.

Since the initial Katalysis review (Review of the National Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics Collection, Feb 2004) and the Informed Solutions scoping study (FRSD I.T. Fire Data Collection and Transfer Scoping Study, Mar 2005) which looked into the need for improved data collection, further work has taken place on identifying the precise information to be collected in the Incident Recording System (IRS). A data definition group of Fire and Rescue Statistics users was established and a series of meetings took place to discuss the content of the IRS. A full consultation on the data content for the new system took place (consultation on incident data to be collected from Local Authority (LA) fire and rescue services, March 2005).

Following the consultation process a competitive tendering process took place and after detailed scrutiny of the tenders Informed Solutions (www.informed.com) were appointed to implement the IRS system. They started work on the project in February 2006. The first phase of their work was to identify user needs and specify the technical architecture to be used to deliver the IT solution.

We worked with FRSs representatives throughout the project and FRSs were given options for providing incident data to CLG.

IRS Project - Aims

The aim of the Incident Recording System (IRS) is to provide Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) with a fully electronic data capture system for all incidents attended by the UK FRS to be collected electronically and verified at source, improving on the timeliness and accuracy of the current manual collection which is resource intensive. The project will also allow an improvement of data coverage.

The increased coverage of the data collection (all incidents in detail not just summaries) will allow more detailed and sophisticated analysis.

The IRS will replace the following returns - FDR1 Form, FDR2 Form, FDR3 Form, OPS 3 and OPS 4.

The IRS system will provide more robust, relevant, and timely data, therefore improving policy evaluation.

The IRS system will help to provide a better understanding and knowledge of how FRSs operate using the collection of core information on all incidents attended. This will help quantify the real effort involved in attending incidents other than primary fires which has been missing up to now. This reflects the new statutory responsibilities such as attending Road Traffic Collisions.

IRS - Benefits

Increased data collection, specifically in Special Service data will allow comparisons with other FRSs to improve operational performance.

Improved access to data for FRSs – more data will be available and improved timeliness of data. In effect this means FRS staff will be in a better position to inform CFOs on how to best deliver IRMPs in their area.

IRS will produce data required for FSEC and in the correct format.

Electronic completion of forms will improve accuracy meaning fewer forms are returned – currently 15% are queried.

Electronic completion will be quicker and easier. Collection has been designed so that all questions are answered by selecting from lists.

IRS will mean common report formatting.

IRS - Timescales

The Research and Statistics Division (RSD) will be operating a helpdesk from its Garston office to assist FRSs with the IRS system. Staffed by the existing FDR1 input team, the helpdesk will be the single point of contact for FRSs on all queries relating to the IRS system. Calls will be electronically logged by helpdesk team members in order to facilitate the quick resolution of queries and to allow RSD to offer feedback and further guidance to FRSs. The IRS helpdesk will be operational from 1 October 2007 when the IRS system goes live. You will be able to contact the IRS helpdesk by e-mail or phone 24 hours a day, with staff available Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 17.00. E-mail irshelp@communities.gsi.gov.uk