SWOT Analysis - strengths

Public opinion surveys of local government services consistently show high levels of satisfaction with the fire and rescue service. We seem able to ‘engage’ the public in our activities.

We need to maintain and exploit this enviable position.

We could do more to publicise the many expressions of appreciation we receive; doing so may help to further motivate our personnel.

It is pleasing to note, the results of the Public Opinion Survey conducted in the Autumn of 2003, shows 66% of respondents continue to be very or fairly satisfied with the way the Authority performs. A further 31% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied.

We have explained this support to promote St Mary's Fire Station in Southampton as a community resource, such that it now hosts a range of community activities.

Fire Station Open Days are always very popular – and we use these as golden opportunities to promote fire safety awareness. Under our IRMP we recognise that we can promote other personal safety messages (ie. not only fire safety) in partnership with other agencies.

Our personnel are very proud to work for the fire and rescue service. There is a strong sense of camaraderie. We take very seriously the welfare of our employees. Staff turnover is generally very low.

We consider that we are generally a caring and fair employer.

We have recently strengthened our occupational health and welfare service.

We are committed to improving diversity and equality in the workplace.

We operate a ‘workplace partnership’ to ensure that there is a sound process for consultation and negotiation with representative bodies at local level.

The Service will be going through a significant period of change as it seeks to modernise. Effective ‘change management’ processes need to be established to help ensure that staff morale does not suffer unduly and our workforce feel part of the change.

Effective internal communication and consultation with staff will be essential – especially during this period of major change to working practices and expectations. As such, we have strengthened our marketing and communications team

Our practical resources for dealing with incidents (vehicles, operational equipment and personal protection for firefighters) are generally very good. The resources are mobile – with specialist vehicles/equipment strategically located to ensure that we can achieve excellent speed of response to incidents throughout Hampshire.

The investment by the Authority in our vehicle replacement programme since 1997 has meant that we have significantly reduced the average age of front-line vehicle fleet to 12 years. We now need to find a funding methodology to sustain this programme in a more cost-effective way. The current operational leasing of vehicles is not considered to offer best value.

Firefighting technology is continually being developed to improve safety – the Authority is mindful of the need to continue its investment in this important area.

Our IRMP will underline the need to continue to maintain modern levels of equipment to deal with the increasingly wide range of emergency incidents; and to collaborate with neighbouring fire authorities; emergency services and other agencies (eg the Environment Agency) to ensure ready access to resources.

We are generally very good in partnership working.

We rarely take a passive (back seat) role when we commit to partnership working.

Our action-centred, 'can do', culture means that we tend to pursue practical outcomes and results from our alliances and collaboration with other bodies. For example: the Service frequently takes the initiative (or a leading role) in setting up joint emergency training exercises; also, in the local strategic partnership with Portsmouth City Council to improve safety in domestic dwellings, the Service has carried out home visits and installed smoke alarms.

Our ‘prevention’ strategies and activities under our IRMP are likely to demand increasing use of partnership working. Pooling/sharing ideas and resources with other partners will enhance our capability and capacity to make a greater impact on reducing emergencies/accidents.