National review of community risk methodology across UK Fire and Rescue Service

The financial role of RMP has been raised in some FRS submissions made into NTU, whilst financial planning is a factor in this process for the purpose of TWG narrative, this was only highlighted where there was clear evidence in the submission that a FRS makes decisions around its RMP methodology based in the first instance on finance as opposed to risk. How this has been differentiated by the TWG is the weight finance is given within the methodology approach and where in the RMP methodology it appears. For example, where finance is the starting point of a RMP methodology then the methodology is considered to be driven by finance not risk whereas where the methodology determines the risk then applies a financial layer to it then this is considered part of the strategic planning process and finance not being a driver for the methodology.

In total 7 responses specifically stated that finance restrictions did not influence the RMP methodology, with the TWG unable to form a view on 29 submissions due to insufficient detail. 4 submissions made explicit reference to finance driving decision making around the RMP methodology and 1 submission made some reference to finance. The relevance of this question to the findings of this report would be that the NFCC advocates suitable funding for FRS and that RMPs should be funded based on risk, ensuring that financial restrictions are not the primary decision factor around all aspects of RPP activities and planning.