NFCC launches new Data Management Framework to support fire and rescue services

The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Hub has launched a new Data Management Framework (DMF) to support fire and rescue services (FRSs) in complying with good data management practice and, where appropriate, associated legal obligations.

It complements and supports the implementation of the Data Management Fire Standard, which was launched last year, and has been written through consultation by subject matter experts from across the fire and rescue service sector. The new framework supports everyone working within a fire and rescue service, from senior leadership to operational and non-operational levels, and not only those in data-related roles.  To improve data management within Service all staff will benefit from reading and understanding it.

To assist in understanding the importance and relevance of the framework a short animation has been developed explaining the impact of good data practice, and the benefits of solid data-management processes. All FRS staff are also invited to register to attend one of two NFCC online Implementation Workshops taking place on 21 and 28 February.

Andy Hopkinson, Chair of the NFCC Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Committee, said: “Data is one of the most valuable assets of a fire and rescue service. It underpins decision-making and activity at all levels and across all areas of the service, and good management of data is important if a service is to maximise the data’s potential. Services are also expected to have well-documented, high-quality, and robust data at local, regional, and national level that can be used effectively to aid improvements for the community.

“The launch of the recent Data Management Fire Standard, now followed by the Data Management Framework, will help fire and rescue services to enhance their professionalism and data capabilities, delivering improved consistency across the sector.”

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Note to editors:

This framework is not a step-by-step instruction manual for implementing the Data Management Fire Standard. The operating context and governance arrangements of fire and rescue services can be very different, and so this guidance is not intended to prescribe the approach that a fire and rescue service adopts. Where appropriate, good practice from trusted and reliable sources has been recommended for further reading and consideration.

As well as statutory data protection requirements being identified, the framework also includes information about data competencies and associated resources, a set of document templates, and a reference library of established free national and regional data sets that a fire and rescue service might find useful.

In addition to this framework, NFCC has published a number of specific guidance documents that relate to data management, which are listed below.

• Corporate guidance for operational activity: Data and information management, which covers the legal responsibilities placed on fire and rescue services regarding the use of data and the need to develop a data and information strategy
• Data and Business Intelligence Guidance, which helps strategic managers and those working with data to create a robust evidence base to underpin a risk management plan
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Data Toolkit, which provides guidance on collecting, analysing and reporting equality, diversity and inclusion data
• Standard Data Requirements for the Person-Centred Framework Guidance, which provides guidance on collecting data about home fire safety visits undertaken by a fire and rescue service