The Fire Standards Board (FSB) has announced the launch of the twelfth professional Fire Standard; Data Management. The Data Management Fire Standard focuses on ensuring fire and rescue services can deliver excellence to the public by maximising the value of good quality and reliable data.

A desired outcome of the new Standard is that services will use data to inform their community risk management planning and other key activities which will contribute to a reduction in risk, and improvements in community safety.

The area of work was led by Chief Fire Officer and Project Executive for the Digital and Data Programme, Andrew Hopkinson. The standard’s development was also supported by the NFCC Data lead, Apollo Gerolymbos, the Digital and Data Programme team and colleagues in the Home Office and Police Digital Service.

From the active network of data practitioners, a group of subject matter experts and representatives from services were also drawn together to support development of the standard.

One of the anticipated benefits of achieving the Data Management Fire Standard is that services will deliver an improved quality of service to the public because of their effective use of high quality and robust local, regional and national data to evidence their considerations and decision making.

There is also a corresponding Fire Standards Implementation Tool, designed to support services in assessing how well they already meet the standard and what they may need to consider and act on in terms of their working practices. It aims to act as a way to self-assess helping them to build an action plan that will enable to achieve the standard in time.

Fire Minister Jeremy Quin said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the Data Management Fire Standard, which sets clear expectations fire services should meet. Using data effectively will ensure our fire and rescue services make evidence-based decisions that best protect their communities.

“The Fire Standards Board (FSB) is instrumental in setting the strategic direction for the sector and the creation of this new standard is a continuation of its vital role.

“This new standard is also in keeping with our Fire Reform White Paper’s aim to ensure fire services are modern, flexible and fit for the challenges of the 21^st century.”

Chair of the Fire Standards Board, Suzanne McCarthy said: “The Board welcomes the launch of the new Data Management Fire Standard and recognises the contribution it will bring to fire and rescue services and the communities they serve by reducing risk.

“As well as the development of new standards, we are working collaboratively with services to support the implementation of the standards delivered so far.”