Section 3 Car Schemes and Provision of Cars for Official Duties

3.1 Provision of Cars For Official Duties

Guidance: Staff using their own vehicles should ensure that their motor insurance covers Fire Service (business) use.

Staff using private vehicles for official Service business duties are expected to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and maintained in a good condition.

Guidance notes on car users taxable benefit are provided in appendix A



Applicable to	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref	Parts 2.12, 3.6

3.2 Car Lease Scheme

Guidance: Allowance: Staff may apply to the Hampshire County Council Car Leasing Scheme. Details of the scheme can be found on Hantsnet under ‘Finance’ on the main Hantsnet menu.



Rate:	See rates in 3.1
Applicable to	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref	Parts 2.12, 3.6

3.3 Assisted Purchase Scheme

Guidance: Staff may apply to the Hampshire County Council Assisted purchase scheme. Details of the scheme can be found on Hantsnet under ‘Finance’ on the main Hantsnet menu



Rate:	See rates in 3.1
Applicable to	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref	Parts 2.12, 3.6

3.4 Conditions Applicable to Cars Used by FDS Officers

Guidance: The following conditions will apply to officers providing cars for FDS duties:

Predominantly single colour
In a good state of repairAble to be fitted with blue light, audible warnings and radio equipment
Able to carry more than one passenger
Able to carry necessary equipmentAble to be adequately secured
Fitted with at least 4 road wheels
Fuelled by petrol, diesel or LPG
In case of doubt guidance should be sought from the Deputy Chief Fire Officer (CFS/Ops)
There is no upper age limit for vehicles, but cars used must reflect the professional image of the Service

Officers whose transfer to the flexible duty system has been substantiated and, exceptionally, at the discretion of the Chief Fire Officer, certain non uniformed members, must permit the fitting of:

A 2-way Service radio systemWarning horns or sirens
Magnetic blue flashing beacons
Headlamp flashing system

And when on duty carry:

A first aid kitFire extinguisherMapsOperational information filesProtective clothingOther equipment which may be specified from time to time.
Note: Radio operation must be fully compatible with the vehicles electrical/electronic systems, see appendix D.
In certain circumstances particularly vehicles may be deemed as unsuitable
Officers considering purchasing any vehicle other than conventional saloon or estate models should discuss with the DCFO (CFS /Operations) before purchase.



Rate:	See rates in 3.1
Applicable to	All
SAM ref
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref

3.5 Essential User Scheme

Guidance: Staff who are required, in the performance of their duties, to have a motor car available to them at all material times, may elect to be placed on the essential car user scheme. 'Material Times' in the case of an uniformed member shall be whilst that member is on duty and in the case of non-uniformed members shall be whilst that member is carrying out official duties of the HFRS.

Staff in a post in which the annual mileage of the post holder normally exceeds 8,500 miles shall, if the member is on the casual car user scheme, be transferred to the essential car user scheme.

Officers whose transfer to the flexible duty system has been substantiated shall, under normal circumstances, be placed on the essential car user scheme.

Responsibility for the designation of staff as ‘essential users' rests with Heads of Department.

Staff transferring to the essential users scheme need to contact the HR Department in the first instance to arrange the necessary authorisation.



Rate:	See rates in 3.1
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	1-10
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref	Parts 2.12, 3.6

3.6 Casual User Scheme

Guidance: Staff who are authorised to undertake business travel and are in a post in which the annual mileage of the post holder does not normally exceeds 8,500 miles shall be classified as casual users

Staff in a post that would normally require the post holder to provide a car on either the essential or casual car user scheme may, particularly if the holding of the post is of a temporary nature, elect to be provided with Service transport.

Under such circumstances, the use by the member of a car on the casual car user scheme shall be the exception rather than the rule and the member shall not be entitled to move on to the essential car user scheme without the express approval of the member's Head of Department.



Rate:	See rates in 3.1
Applicable to	All
SAM ref	1-10
Grey book ref	Sec. VI para 6 Sec. IX para 20
Green book ref	Parts 2.12, 3.6