Fire and rescue service is first fire service in UK to strike gold
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is
the first fire and rescue service in the UK to be awarded the
prestigious Gold Investor in People Award; one of the most widely
recognised and respected marks of good practice for organisations
and businesses in the UK.
Investors in People (IIP) is a national quality standard awarded
to organisations which demonstrate good management practice with a
strong emphasis on best practice in people management and
development. The Service had earlier achieved the standard IIP
award in 2007.
To qualify for the Gold Award, the Service had to meet a minimum
of 165 criteria, which required a rigorous assessment to be
undertaken, including interviews with a selection of staff from all
levels and areas of the Service. The assessment covered a wide
range of areas, including team working, innovation in learning and
development, and corporate social responsibility. The Gold Award is
only given to those organisations which are able to demonstrate a
degree of excellence in the way they develop and support their
staff.
In their report, the IIP assessors praised the organisation for
it's 'shared passion for the organisation's vision and values in a
workforce that is committed, motivated, enthusiastic and
proud.'
Areas highlighted as good practice include effective
communications across the Service, the excellent learning and
development opportunities available for staff, as well as well
developed learning and development strategies. Also praised were
diversity and equality being embedded as part of the Service, a
strong commitment to continuous improvement, partnership working
and evaluation.
Chief Fire Officer Iain Bathgate, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue
Service, said: "Just maintaining the standard IIP award is a
challenge given the current economic climate, so we are absolutely
delighted to have gone even further and achieved the top Gold
Award, and to be the first fire and rescue service to have done
so.
"I have always believed that we are one of the best fire and
rescue services in the country with some of the best staff; this
external recognition reinforces that view. Our people are our
greatest asset, without them we would not be able to achieve our
mission of creating the safest community. It shows the rest of the
UK what a good employer we are."
Alison Davies, Senior Business Solutions Manager for Investors
in People North East said: "The assessors commented in their report
that it was a genuine pleasure to work with Tyne and Wear Fire and
Rescue Service; all those interviewed firmly believe it is a great
place to work.
"We are delighted to see them using the Investors in People
framework to help them manage the change in their organisation.
They are a forward thinking, progressive organisation and their
Gold recognition highlights this," she added.