Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004

Overview

8. The Act covers various aspects of the Fire and Rescue Service and is in seven Parts:

• Part 1 - Fire and rescue authorities (sections 1 to 5): determines which body is the fire and rescue authority for an area, and provides for the combination of two or more fire and rescue authorities by order.

• Part 2 - Functions of fire and rescue authorities (sections 6 to 20): sets out the duties and powers of fire and rescue authorities.

• Part 3 – Administration (sections 21 to 31): provides for the preparation of a Fire and Rescue National Framework setting out the strategic priorities of the Fire and Rescue Service, and for the supervision of fire and rescue authorities. It makes supplementary provision for the Secretary of State to provide equipment and training centres for fire and rescue authorities.

• Part 4 – Employment (sections 32 to 37): deals with employment by fire and rescue authorities, in particular the creation of negotiating bodies to determine the terms and conditions of employees, and pension schemes.

• Part 5 – Water supply (sections 38 to 43): imposes duties on fire and rescue authorities and water undertakers to ensure an adequate supply of water for fire-fighting activities.

• Part 6 – Supplementary (sections 44 to 54 and Schedules 1 and 2): concerns the powers of fire and rescue authority employees to undertake rescue work and investigations, as well as a number of consequential provisions and repeals, including the abolition of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

• Part 7 – General (sections 55 to 64): makes general provision in relation to pre-commencement consultation, interpretation, statutory instruments, territorial extent etc.

9. The term ‘brigade’ does not appear in the Act - this reflects a community service structured on the roles of individuals rather than adherence to a rank structure.