firefighting Firefighting: how do men do it and can women do it too?

"There is a serious danger that fire policy will be developed on the basis of work carried out in the context of the market place rather than being underpinned by research which has been subjected to full process of academic rigour and peer review" Professor D Drysdale (European Vice-Chair, International Association of Fire Safety Sciences) and D T Davis (Chair of the Executive Committee, Institution of Fire Engineers). Fire Engineers Journal 61, 10, 6-7

Expanding Equal Opportunities into Dorset Fire and Rescue Service

- An Independent Study.

R.P. Boniwell Technical Support Officer Dorset Fire & Rescue Service Colliton Park Dorchester

R. Boniwell BA (Hons) GIFireE DMgt

1. Executive Summary

This project report has been commissioned to satisfy the assessment criteria set by the Institute of Management for completion of Modules one and two of the Diploma in Management course syllabus. This work began in September 2000 and was completed in June 2001.

This project will achieve this by addressing management responsibility issues (criterion 1.1), cultural issues (criterion 1.3), support required (criterion 1.4), conflicting objectives (criterion 2.2) and strategic objectives (criterion 2.4).

Primary research and methodology has been carried out incorporating comprehensive questionnaires that consolidate qualitative and quantitative data, together with structured interviews to support the findings and offer in depth analysis. The author has selected a broad range of groups within the organisation as the basis for his research, the purpose of which was to ensure he gained diverse and realistic feedback to support the analysis. Research design and method are discussed in further detail in this project.

Secondary research has been sourced from a number of fields, including the internet, college and university libraries, prior related research projects and studies, journals, newspaper cuttings and college handouts. Details regarding secondary research can be found in the bibliography. In addition the author has applied his own anecdotal experience, where necessary, to support the discussion.

The main body of this project aims to critically analyse the data and information consolidated from both primary and secondary research, combined with the author’s own anecdotal experience in this complicated area, offering logical arguments for and against certain issues. In highlighting and drawing out particular arguments, the author will provide a basis for the reader to ascertain the problems that face the fire service, in particular, the issue of culture, which, as we shall see, serves as a severe constraint for making forward progress in a 21^st century local authority run organisation.

This project will conclude with a summary of the salient points, together with recommendations for future consideration and/or implementation by strategic managers of the Personnel and Training Department. The author also intends this research to made available for all personnel intending to conduct further research into this area and therefore a copy of this project will be retained by the Service.