Legislation, Policy, Ethics and Professional Standards
This section covers Legislation, Policy, Ethics and Professional Standards: the legal duties and ethical expectations on a fire officer. The exam tests the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Fire Safety Order, equality and data law, and the Nolan principles.
Legal framework
- The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 sets core duties: extinguishing fires, protecting life and property, and other functions such as rescue.
- The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 sets duties for Category 1 responders, including risk assessment, planning and warning.
- The Fire Safety Order regulates fire safety in non-domestic premises in England and Wales.
- The Equality Act 2010, Data Protection Act 2018 and Bribery Act 2010 govern conduct, information and gifts.
Ethics and standards
- Nolan principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Declare conflicts of interest; keep confidence; use social media responsibly.
- Follow policy even when it is inconvenient; challenge unlawful or unethical instructions.
Worked example
A contractor offers a fire officer a valuable watch after an inspection. The officer declines, records the offer and informs a manager. Reasoning: accepting could create an obligation or the appearance of favouritism; declaration protects integrity and the service's reputation.
Traps
Confusing legal duty with policy; breaching confidentiality; accepting hospitality without declaration; ignoring equality duties; posting operational detail online.