OK let us think of both sides of the requirement for a firefighter. Every RDS firefighter needs to fulfil their contract of availability but also manage this within their family and other-employment life. We do have a system developed over many years but it has proven itself fallible many times - control turn out a station only to find out after a few minutes sufficient crew are not available.
Imagine a world where you could book yourself on and off the run remotely anyplace and anywhere. Where control and your OIC know the current status of availability both now and over a short period ahead. These are not just plain numbers either but fire fighter types be they drivers, BA, in development etc. This is the automated Retained Management System.
HFRS are currently looking at evaluating a system to discover how well such a system could work.
STOP PRESS:
We are now able to report that Gartan Technologies Inc. have been confirmed as the provider for the RMS, as they scored highly on both the quality of their service and value for money. Their system, FSi UK, is also currently being used in three other brigades, Gloucestershire, Highlands and Islands and Lancashire, and they have reported positively on their experiences with the company and their product. We hope to contact our RFU colleagues in these services to get their first hand accounts of the system and report back soon.
RFU Note
One thing is very clear with this system; irrespective of the management advantages, and advantages to control if the system is not user friendly, free and suitable for every RDS firefighters and the skills they have the system will not be properly used and will fail. The RFU have been invited to be part of this project and we will make every effort to represent the wide variety of RDS firefighters throughout HFRS.
Service Orders
In essence the RFU fully support this new system and look forward to working with HFRS on ensuring its success. Obviously the current Service order for the RMS sheet will become useless when you receive the new RMS system. On the day you ‘come on line’ we have agreed with replacing the Service Order with an ‘interim protocol’. This will allow HFRS the flexibility to fully evaluate the system and make dynamic changes if deemed necessary without having to go through the usual long winded consultation process. This protocol is yet to be finalised but will offer HFRS more flexibility without compromising the Grey Book or Health and Safety, however if you have any questions do not hesitate in contacting us.
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