A Risk Management Policy in the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service - Essay Example

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: A RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY IN THE LANCASHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE Name: Professor: Institution: Course: Date: Executive Summary Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has moved forward to come up with activities and procedures that are designed to bring about change in the company’s operation and its mandate of working together as team in ensuring that safety is significantly achieved in Lancashire. To achieve this mandate, the company has been working towards having a comprehensive planning and better performance structure. This has enabled the management to be in a position of achieving the set objectives, meet the identified aims of the project, and come up with a comprehensible feedback, especially how achievements are being realized. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service management has been able to categorize the course or origin of fire cases, the implications of such fires, degree of impact to be caused, and precaution and safety measure that can be put in place. In this case, the management was able to identify different categories of fires, where there are fires taking place at home, in business premises, and in the community at large. In this way, they are able to determine measures and strategies to be initiated so that the whole Lancashire is safe. For example, to make a person’s home to be more secure, individuals are always encouraged to involve the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service team in carrying out a free home fire safety check. Table of Content Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction………………………..………………………………………………………...5 2.0 Project Life Cycle:…………………………………………………………………………...6 2.1 Mandate……………………………………………………………………………...7 2.2 Initiation……………………………………………………………………………...7 2.3 Implementation………………………………………………………………………8 2.4 Handover ……………………………………………………………………………9 3.0 Project Initiation Document…………………………………………………………………9 3.1 Aims of the project………………………………………………………………9 3.2 Objective (by using SMART Analysis)………………………………………...10 3.3 Benefits ………………………………………………………………………...10 3.4 Costs …………………………………………………………………………...11 3.4 Tasks …………………………………………………………………………..12 3.5 Precedence Chart ……………………………………………………………...12 3.6 Staffing ………………………………………………………………………..13 3.7 Business Case..………………………………………………………………...13 3.8 Risk Management Plan ………………………………………………………..14 3.9Documents Management Plan.…………………………………………………14 4.0 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………15 5.0 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………15 References……………………………………………………………………………………..16 1.0 Introduction A number of services are being made available to wide range individuals and various organizations in Lancashire, and this is being achieved in relation to an ever-changing environment of working. Therefore, Lancashire Combined Fire Authority is making a huge contribution in their fight towards achieving what it has been set in line with fire prevention, and thus making the whole of Lancashire safer. This has made the whole idea of disrupting the available services or even the damaging of assets from a huge range of risks to be inherent. Consequently, it is fundamental that the existing Authority considers indulging on appropriate activities that will help in reducing the current potential for damage or even loss by carrying out active risk management procedures. Through this policy created within the Combined Fire Authority, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service management has been able to categorize the course or origin of fire cases, the implications of such fires, degree of impact to be caused, and precaution and safety measure that can be put in place. In this case, the management was able to identify different categories of fires, where there are fires taking place at home, in business premises, and in the community at large. In this way, they are able to determine measures and strategies to be initiated so that the whole Lancashire is safe. For example, to make a person’s home to be more secure, individuals are always encouraged to involve the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service team in carrying out a free home fire safety check. As part of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service policy, the application of incident command has turned out to be one of the significant measures and strategies that are helping the company to achieve its set goals and objectives. Through this incident command procedures, the person in charge, who is an incident commander is believed to have a wide range of discretionary authority, especially when it comes to developing risk management assessments. As it is believed that when it comes to making judgment, the whole process is considered to be hard very involving, and therefore, the degree of coming up with such judgments varies with individuals. 2.0 Project Life Cycle: The aim of the project is all about the safety of Lancashire community, and its effectiveness is achieved through an identified planning framework of the company. Through this plan, the possible incident command officer is in a position to develop better risk management judgment, especially when it comes to fire rescue measures. One is also able to comprehensively develop a better establishment of experience, judgment and knowledge in relation to what is supposed to be achieved in the long run. The process is also initiated with an ability to envisage better results of the procedure and in the long run implement good judgment in the whole project, which is normally based on shared or even individual experiences in the field. 2.1 Mandate The mandate Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is to provide firefighting services to the identified individuals, and this could range from homes, communities, to business premises. Through their commitment in this project has a significant impact to the overall service delivery and product differentiation. The management is able to develop structured processes that will enable the targeted individuals to realize the need of ensuring safety in their environments. 2.2 Initiation of the Project The initiation of this project is supposed to be carried out after the consultation process has already been accomplished. In this case, the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service management team will be in a better position to foresee any further changes to be implemented within the project. The consultation process is believed to take about two months, of which it is categorized into two phases. The first phase will constitutes of pure consultation, where no alterations are initiated within the project. The second phase, which will last for three weeks will constitutes of implementation of identified changes, and this is put in place once the alterations have been approved by the committee in process. 2.3 Implementation of the Project Implementation of the project will put in consideration the assistance that is required beyond the setting up of policies and procedures in the overall system. This will consist of staff training and development, system installation, and community sensitization. This process will take duration of four months, and it is during this period that the support team will be initiated to foresee all the events taking place. A duty management system will installed for the purpose of ensuring that everything identified is affectively put into consideration. To achieve the supposed impact of the project, several measures have been identified to foresee the process of monitoring and evaluating the progress of the project. In this case, the feedback achieved during evaluation of the project will assist the management team in coming up with possible changes to be implemented within the project. As discussed, the consultation process will take about two months, of which it is categorized into two phases. The first phase will constitutes of pure consultation, where no alterations are initiated within the project. The second phase, which will last for three weeks constitutes of implementation of identified changes, and this is put in place once the alterations have been approved by the committee in process. 2.4 Project Handover The project handover will consist of the following activities; a. Concluding on all services that are officially contracted. This will include any item or issue that has not been resolved within the initial stages of the project. b. Ensuring that documents about the project are compiled and officially handed over to the management team. c. Carrying out an exhibition about the significance of the project in place, and this is supposed to be presented to the stakeholders of the company. This step is considered to be of importance since in so doing the expectations of stakeholders are clearly met. d. Organizing for a project commemoration and this will be in attendance with the stakeholders and the working project team. 3.0 Business Case As discussed earlier, the aim of the project is all about the safety of Lancashire community, and its effectiveness is achieved through an identified planning framework of the company. Through this plan, the possible incident command officer is in a position to develop better risk management judgment, especially when it comes to fire rescue measures. The following are some of the aspects covered within this case. 3.1 Aims of the project The following are aims designed for this project; a. Reducing the identified risk b. Develop on the resilience in the services offered c. Modify the existing services to align with the known community needs d. Ensure that equality and diversity is promoted within the services of the company e. Improve on the value of money for services delivered. 3.2 Objective (by using SMART Analysis) The project has tailor made objectives that are specific to identified aims of the project; measurable in accordance to determined policies; achievable within the stated framework; realistic towards the mandate of the company; and run within a specified time frame. The following are the identified objectives of the project: a. The project is designed to help in reducing the current level of tragedies and their effects. This reduction is estimated to be at 15% after six months, and 26% another six months. With new acquired equipment and better mode of operation, such impact is estimated to be effective. b. The project is also designed to enhance a workforce in the company that is competent and well represented. Employees will undergo a programmed training about the initiated changes, thus giving them a chance to improve on their knowledge and skill levels. The training of employees is supposed to be initiated two months before the implementation phase is initiated. c. The project is also designed to enhance a workforce in the company that is safe. This will consist of a process that will help in reducing workplace injuries by 20%, by six months after implementation of the project. 3.3 Benefits of the Project The following are some of benefits that will be derived with the implementation of this project; a. Implementation of this project will foresee the reduction of human impact on all the existing environments, and in the process, safety and healthy measures will be achieved. This is estimated at 22% reduction of human impact, to be achieved in one year. b. A stronger, more sustainable and significantly healthier community will be build, and the impact of this is estimated to be felt eight months after the implementation of the project. c. The project will also assist in delivering significantly reasonable value for the finances spent in the process of impacting on the immediate communities. The amount spent on this project will rise by 2%, to about 61 million in the first year of project operation. 3.4 Costs incurred in the Project For the purpose of determining requirement of the future budget, there is need to approve 2011/2012 budget as a continuation of the approved 2010/11 budget. The following table represents a summary of changes within the budget: 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 £m £m £m £m Preceding Years Budget Requirement 62.254 61.810 62.561 63.596 Removal of drawdown from reserves in previous years 0.258 0.031 0.075 - Inflation (0.038) 0.337 1.238 1.506 Other Pay Pressures 0.061 0.548 0.069 0.072 Committed Variations 0.592 0.401 (0.097) (0.023) Growth Items 0.233 0.106 0.106 0.108 Efficiency Savings (1.519) (0.597) (0.357) (0.005) Draft Budget Requirement 61.841 62.636 63.595 65.255 Drawdown from reserves (0.031) (0.075) - - Gross Budget Requirement 61.810 62.561 63.595 65.255 Budget Change (0.7%) 1.2% 1.7% 2.6% 3.4 Tasks designed in the Project The following tasks have been identified within the overall operation of the project: a. Provision of training courses b. Working inside and outside, and this should take place in all weather conditions. c. Maintaining records d. Foreseeing the overall running of the project e. Research consultation 3.5 Precedence Chart Initiation Phase 2 months Implementation Phase 4 months Sustenance Phase Control and Evaluation Stage 3.6 Staffing for the Project To be in a position of achieving the identified aims of the project, the company needs to come up with a profile of individuals who are supposed to initiate the project and see it through its implementation stages. It is through the determined plan that the possible incident command officer will be initiated. The incident command officer is the one supposed to develop better risk management judgment, especially when it comes to fire rescue measures. One is also able to comprehensively develop a better establishment of experience, judgment and knowledge in relation to what is supposed to be achieved in the long run. For the purpose of ensuring that the project is running within the required standards and policies, an overseeing committee is supposed to be developed. 3.8 Risk Management Plan The Risk Management Plan has been developed with an aim of setting out the main strategic focus to the provision of the required services, which considers the objectives of the project. This will also include the aspect of measuring and achieving the set objectives, and also the main strategies developed. The project will be conducted within the structured policies of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, and all fire management standards. The following table represents risks available in the project, their rating, and how they are supposed to be managed. Risk Rating Score (Points) Risk Grading Risk Definition Types of Risks Management Measures Form of Management 76 and above Very High It guarantees a very high level of fire cover Incompetent staff members. Develop a training and development program on specific incidents Treat 56 - 75 High It guarantees a very high level of fire cover Failure of partnership agreement from stakeholders. Make continuous follow-up on the acquired agreements. Tolerate 35 - 55 Medium It guarantees a medium level of fire cover Inadequate fire fighting equipment. Ensure enough equipment are available before initiation of the project. Tolerate 34 and below Low It guarantees a minimum level of fire cover Inadequate incident control staff members. Enough staff should be incorporated in the company’s system before project initiation. Treat 3.9 Documents Management Plan A management plan for the documents is significant in the overall controlling measures for document creation, reviewing, publishing, and their disposal or retaining measures. To ensure that efficiency and effectiveness is achieved in the whole process, the existing document management plan specifies the following: a. The types of documents to be developed b. Template to be utilized by each type of document c. Metadata provided for each type of document d. Location for storing the selected documents, especially at each stage of their life cycle. 4.0 Recommendations For the purpose of effective delivery, the following suggestions are made in relation to this developed project. a. Ensure that proper policies are implemented in line with the project so that its progress is measured and controlled significantly. b. Being a dynamic process, the management should foresee changes that can be incorporated within the project. Conclusion Since Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has moved forward to come up with activities and procedures that are designed to bring about change in the company’s operation, this indicates that its mandate of working together as team in ensuring that safety is significantly being achieved. This means that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Company is actively moving forward to enhancing its service delivery, and this project once initiated and implemented it will bring drastic changes that are required in the modern world. References Cleland David, and Ireland Lewis, 2006, Project management: strategic design and implementation, New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, pp. 78-124 Read More