Agenda item

The Deputy Chief Fire Officeradvised that the report updated on the actions taken for enhancing the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS).

Progress in Business Continuity Management (BCM) was as follows;

E-Learning Module Development

An interactive Business Continuity (BC) e-learning module had been developed for all LFRS staff. This was done on behalf of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) BC group and had become a template for BC e-learning across the fire sector. The module was designed to increase awareness and understanding of BC principles, and ensured that every member of the team was equipped with the knowledge to contribute to continuity efforts.

Higher-Level BC Training

Over 80 staff members from LFRS and the North West Fire Control (NWFC) with BC responsibilities had received higher-level BC training. This training focused on advanced BC concepts and practical skills required to write and effectively manage continuity plans.

Operational Level Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

Comprehensive BIAs had been conducted at the operational level throughout the service. These BIAs identified critical functions, assessed potential impacts of disruptions, and prioritised resources to ensure swift recovery.

Strategic Oversight and Operational Implementation

Business Continuity (BC) had been added as a standing agenda item to the Senior Management Team (SMT) Corporate Planning Board (CPB). This ensured strategic oversight of the LFRS BCMS.

A newly established Business Continuity Group bridged the gap between strategic oversight and operational implementation. This group ensured that BC strategies were effectively translated into actionable plans at the operational level.

BC Integration and Support Structure

BC had been integrated into the daily operations of all stations and departments, with BC champions/reference holders nominated to support Business Continuity Plan (BCP) owners. These champions played a crucial role in the BC process, they provided expertise and ensured plans were maintained and updated.

BC Integration with Risk Management

The new LFRS risk management procedure had been fully integrated with BC planning. Risks identified through risk management processes fed directly into the BC plans and ensured a cohesive approach to resilience. This integration allowed us to prioritise and address risks comprehensively, making the services BC plans more robust and aligned with the overall risk landscape.

Future Developments were identified as follows;

Standardised Operational BCP Templates

Two standardised BCP templates had been created: one for stations and one for departments. These templates would ensure a consistent approach to business continuity across the service, simplifying the planning process and ensuring all essential elements were covered.

Exercise and Testing Suite

A comprehensive suite of exercises, including pre-made injects and scenarios based on the highest BC risks, had been developed. These exercises would be used to test and refine the new BCPs, ensuring they were robust and effective in real-world scenarios.

Exercising Tactical and Strategic BCPs

In the second half of the year, we would conduct an exercise for tactical and strategic BCPs. The scenarios for this exercise would be determined by the current risk profile of LFRS, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. These exercises would test the services preparedness at both the tactical and strategic levels, providing valuable insights and opportunities for improvement.

Policy and SOP Updates

The Business Continuity Policy and SOPs would need to be updated to reflect these changes. This would ensure all documents were aligned with the latest BC practices and strategies, providing clear guidance to all staff.

LFRS had continued to strengthen its BCMS. Through comprehensive training, strategic oversight, and operational implementation, the service was building a resilient organisation capable of maintaining critical services during disruptions. The future developments outlined would further enhance capabilities, ensuring the service was well-prepared to face any challenges.

County Councillor Hennessy requested that it may be nice for officers involved in the reports to be invited to future meetings.

Resolved: That the Planning Committee:

i) Endorsed the detailed progress and achievements outlined in the report

ii) Supported the outlined future plans for BC, including the implementation of standardised BC plan templates for stations and departments, and the development and use of a comprehensive suite of exercises to test and refine these plans.