FIA REGIONAL UPDATE
he Association’s interest in serving the previous sessions. In particular, they have
T
the specific needs of its members precipitated a range of actions involving local
in Scotland, Northern Ireland and stakeholders and aimed at promoting the
Wales stems primarily from the core values of the FIA and its members.
increasing devolution of their In Scotland, FIA representatives met in
legislative powers, not least in the field of fire January with representatives of the newly-
safety. While Wales is under the jurisdiction of formed Scottish Chief Fire and Rescue
the English Fire Safety Order, building control Advisory Unit, the session covering third
appears likely to take a divergent path. party certification, the Fire [Scotland] Act
Scotland has its own Fire [Scotland] Act 2005 2005 and its enforcement, and the possibility
that differs from the English model while in of establishing a Business and Community
Northern Ireland, the imminent Fire Safety Safety Forum equivalent in Scotland. Also, with
Regulations [Northern Ireland] 2009 again Scotland moving away from independent
place it closer to the Scottish regulations. third party certification schemes, the point
While FIA training and the apprenticeship was made that enforcers should recognise
scheme [with Belfast Metropolitan College] and support the BAFE-adopted schemes held
remained active, the long-standing Northern by our members.
Ireland Section was in abeyance for much of We met also with Scottish Building Standards
the past year but became active again from and are establishing contact with several
May in order to respond to the forthcoming Scottish FRSs that are adopting the CFOA False
legislative changes. As well as offering its Alarms Policy, these being a useful starting
contribution to the formal consultation, it seeks point for encouraging uptake of the Policy
to maximise opportunities to highlight FIA by the other Scottish Services. Also, the IOSH
members and third party certification as part held a Fire Risk Management Group Seminar
of the promotion of the new regime to owners on the requirements of the Fire [Scotland]
and occupiers having fire safety responsibilities. !CT!NGUS3TONEOFTHE&$!#OUNCILIS
There is work to do also in educating those thanked for presenting on behalf of the FIA.
bodies that will enforce the legislation. In Wales, there remains engagement with
The first Regional Meetings of the FIA in the Welsh Fire Risk Reduction Committee and
Scotland and Wales took place just over a a meeting is sought with Paul Young who is
year ago with the aim of updating members newly-installed as the Chief Fire and Rescue
on the major work items being undertaken Advisor for Wales. At the time of writing a
by the FIA and, most importantly, providing session is also being arranged with Allan
a focus on issues particular to their own Bond, who is Operations and Technical Team
national fire legislation and the regional fire Leader at the FRS Branch of the Community
protection market. Although attendance at Safety Division within the Welsh Assembly.
these initial meetings could have been better, Further contact with our Scottish, Welsh and
they nonetheless assisted in achieving a better Northern Irish members is planned over the
mutual understanding between the Association coming year and, of course, with the relevant
and its regional members and defining a stakeholders, we look forward to progressing
sharper picture of how the FIA may act on our interests in these countries.
behalf of its members in Scotland and Wales.
Further meetings in April this year were better David Smith
attended and built on the groundwork laid at FIA Business Development Manager
FIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009 17
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