Operational discretion policies

Following the introduction of the FBU’s Operational Discretion Policy to aid FBU offi cials in
discussions locally, many Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) have now sought to introduce
policies which interpret operational discretion as meaning that policies and procedures can be
ignored at will.

We have witnessed too many fi refi ghter fatalities and near-misses both on the incident ground
and during training where this mistaken, unprofessional and dangerous approach has been
introduced and/or applied.

Following the tragic death of Bro. Stephen Hunt and the subsequent Regulation 28 report made
by the coroner at his inquest it is now, more than ever, absolutely critical that any local policy
(by whatever name) which subverts the principles of operational discretion in this way is resisted
and challenged.

Conference therefore calls upon all FBU Offi cials to challenge locally any operational discretion
or similarly named or intended policies that include or allow for a reduction in the application of
effective command and control procedures and safe operational practice particularly, but not
solely, when Breathing Apparatus is required to be used at an incident.

NORTH YORKSHIRE