I am writing this column during the LGA Fire Conference in Bristol. In many ways, it is remarkable the fire and rescue service remains part of the local government family, particularly as both police and health services become distinct authorities in recent decades. In some ways the governance of the fire service is a strange mixture – a regional authority for Greater London, stand alone fire and civil defence authorities in the former metropolitan county conurbations, combined authorities in those council areas re organised since 1995 and the service remaining part of county councils in the rest of the country. However, the essential thread of local democratic control runs through all these systems. After more than 50 years of relative stability, the fire service faced major conflict and challenge in the early part of this decade. In response to a union demand for a substantial increase in fire-fighters pay, the government and local authority employers stood firm in demanding that any substantial increase had to be linked to a more comprehensive modern role for the service with far more flexible working practices. This led to the most difficult and in some ways bitter industrial strife of recent years. The fire service has always rightly been held in high public regard. Its standards, professionalism and bravery are second to none in the world. Since the dispute, the emphasis has increased on prevention, community safety and public protection, alongside the essential intervention response to fires and other disasters. Fire fighters are prominent in dealing with road accidents, terrorist threats, the effects of extreme weather and other emergencies. They risk their lives in the protection of communities, so public respect is well deserved. It is perhaps not surprising that planned change to fire cover facilities in Windsor are rumoured to cause concern from royalty. Problems remain to be solved in the organisation and delivery of the service, the diversity of the workforce and the future of control centres amongst them. But at the conference I sensed a real commitment to shared endeavour, ensuring that community value was expressed appropriately in democratic accountability. Those of us who experienced the confrontations of a few years ago can really look forward to a brighter, safer future.
