This website represents the views of Hampshire Retained Fire Fighters Union
The Retained Management System
On Wednesday 23rd February we were very kindly invited to an audience with SDO Kevin Butcher the project sponsor and instigator of the new Retained Management System. Our notes from our discussion are here :
Why the new RMS System?
The current system does not help anyone, its data is not accurate and it fails to correctly ensure Firefighters and station availability. The fundamental reason for the new RMS is to help HFRS achieve 8/80 and to correctly monitor its employees. This is the first stage of a development within HFRS to allow more flexibility for its employees and to help ensure 8/80 is achieved.
The new RMS will be able to challenge the current Grey Book structure and argue for more flexibility outside of its current fixed retained employment structure. In keeping with most businesses we warmly welcome any efforts to make a more flexible and user friendly employment environment and support efforts to make a more efficient RDS fire service. We will however be closely monitoring changes to ensure current RDS standards or job security does not fall.
The RMS was tested for a year by a number of stations. Some stations have provided feedback saying they find that the many colours being used are confusing. It is suggested that this is because the system is new and utilising all the colours will allow everyone to understand the sheet better when it has been properly bedded in.
Requirement or Request?
The question that many have been asking, is if the new RMS system ‘requires’ or ‘demands’ a Firefighter to keep the RMS sheet updated after drill night following unexpected changes. Firstly, we have been assured that there is no change to the current Grey Book consequently; the fire service cannot demand you go to the station except on drill nights and in response to an emergency call. Fundamentally, there is no contractual requirement for you to make your way to the station to complete the RMS outside of drill nights. (In response to a specific question on the point, he has said that if an employee has an accident whilst attending the station outside of the two above proviso’s to update their RMS then HFRS will offer the same support as if they were ‘under employment’.
However, this does not remove your contractual obligation to inform your line manager if you cannot fulfil your duty obligations.
Failed Rollout
Kevin admitted that the rollout for the RMS system was much too hasty and should never have occurred without policies in place. In the eagerness to distribute the system some fundamental issues were not considered, most importantly the policy supporting it. We have been assured that lessons have been learned from this and it will not happen again. The HFRU have offered our help in future systems to help identify questions which will be raised so solutions can be discussed and offered before launch.
The Future
The RMS is the first of a two- part system, the second stage will be a new RDS (Rota Duty System) which will ensure equal opportunities for all Firefighters. As those of you who have seen the graphs in previous newsletter publications, RDS stations most often fail to meet 8/80. This is not a criticism; merely an observation of the facts such as the time it takes to get to the station, time to turn out and larger fire grounds etc.
Interestingly, the data identifies that many miss achieving by less than a minute, so shaving off these 59 seconds from alerter to ‘in attendance’ will make a big difference. How will this be achieved? I have been assured that input from stations will be sought – so you have an opportunity to consider how you can turn out quicker. Don’t let this catch you out – be proactive and start considering options now!
We thank SDO Butcher for his time and in his admission of guilt for the appalling rollout.
Many of you want to know our advice with regards to this system so we are happy to comment as follows:
The need for a system to ensure effective and efficient emergency responses for stations and to ensure that our payments are fair and auditable cannot be criticised.
However, no changes to the Grey Book have been introduced, it is therefore not necessary under any circumstances for you to go to your fire station and keep the system updated outside of normal drill nights. You are however contractually obliged to inform your line manager if you cannot honour your contracted cover.
Due to the rather ‘grey area’ of insurance cover (accepting SDO Butchers comments’) and the worry we have of creeping expectations for retained Firefighters to solve management problems non efficiently, we would recommend you complete the RMS sheet as accurately as you possibly can on drill nights, but on drill nights only.
We appreciate that this recommendation effectively ensures the RMS will fail to deliver on its benefits to HFRS however until a user friendly, efficient system is properly presented to us, we cannot support the current system as it stands.
