The Institution of Fire Engineers Background, Overview and Objectives

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The Institution of Fire EngineersBackground,
Overview and Objectives
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• John Judd QFSM BA FI Fire E
• Chairman, Board of Directors

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Introductions

• Andy Hickmott, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue
  Service
• Tony Proctor Andy Brookes, Greater Manchester
  Fire and Rescue Service
• Dr Jim Marsden, Board member,The Institution of
  Fire Engineers
• Louise Craig, General Manager, The Institution
  of Fire Engineers

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The Institution

• Formed in 1918 to improve the professional
  standing of fire fighters to that of other
  professional engineers
• International body with 11,000 members in in 21
  countries, 32 branches -19 in UK
• Governance Registered Charity, Ltd Company, 12
  person board and International General Assembly
• Our object and vision

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Object

• To encourage and improve the science and
  practice of Fire Extinction, Fire Prevention and
  Fire Engineering and all operations and
  expedients connected therewith, and to give an
  impulse to ideas likely to be useful in
  connection with or in relation to such science
  and practice to the members of the Institution
  and to the community at large.

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Vision

• Our vision is to establish an international
  platform that
• Is inclusive of all fire professionals
• Sets and maintains professional standards
• Provides personal value and opportunity to
  members
• Facilitates a global learning network
• Has technical, regulatory and social influence
• Is recognised as an independent voice for the
  profession
• And through all of this, work towards a society
  safe from fire.

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Examinations

• Delivering fire service examinations since 1924
• International sittings in March each year
• Emphasis on understanding not recall
• Foundation on which to build with CPD
• Standards not negotiable
• Ability to relate content to role
• Specialist papers

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The projects

• Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue
• Greater Manchester initiative
• Operational focus, but enquires about fire safety
  under discussion
• Way forward, open for discussion
• Seeking views and expressions of interest
• Memorandum of understanding

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Setting and Marking Timetable
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Specialist Input Professional Development
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• Eur Ing Dr J Marsden BEng(Hons) CEng FIFireE MEI
• IFE Board member, Education

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Introduction

• The importance of knowledge and understanding
• Increasing uptake of IFE examinations
• Cross mapping to roles
• Specialist input

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The Importance of Knowledge and Understanding

• Can Explain (Facts and data)
• Can interpret (Tell a story! Translate)
• Can apply (Use and adapt)
• Has perspective (See the big picture)
• Can empathise (Find value)
• Have self-knowledge (Perceives style)

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Increasing Uptake in IFE Exams

• Steadily increased
• 2006 15 increase
• 2007 25 increase
• 3,204 bookings for exam papers in 2008
• Exams delivered in 87 centres worldwide
• Additional papers for Greater Manchester,
  Merseyside and Northern Ireland 241
  Intermediate papers 194 Graduate papers

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Cross-Mapping to Roles

• Intermediate exams Crew Manager
• Graduate exams Watch Manager
• Membership exams Station Manager

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Specialist Input
Examiners
Examiners
Examiners
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Examination Structure

• Questions encourage candidates to express
  themselves.
• All questions are set by experienced Senior
  Examiners coordinated by the Chief Examiner and
  IFE professional team.
• The examination panel reviews and audits the
  examination process.

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QA, Costing Models Project Response
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• Louise Craig BA (Hons) TQFE MSc
• IFE General Manager

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Quality Assurance Criteria

• Plan of provision
• Corporate governance
• Administration
• Assessment instruments that are
• Valid
• Authentic
• Current
• Reliable
• Sufficient QCA, ACCAC, SQA, CCEA,

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Costing Models

• Individual Membership of IFE
• Student
• Technician
• Graduate

Affiliate Organisation
Exam Fee(s)
Possible Local Charge (dependant on support of
branch)
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Costing Models
CENTRAL VARIABLE (Candidates)
CENTRAL FIXED (Exams)
LOCAL (Exams Candidates)
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Project Response

• Bucks FRS highly tailored, based on local risk

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Project Response

• GMFRS, NIFRS Merseyside 435 papers
• Intermediate pass rate 83 (Int1) gt
  International average
• 63 (Int2) lt International average
• Graduate pass rate
• 87 (Fire Safety) 82 (Operations)
• 68 (Fire Eng.Science) 57 (HRM) all
  Graduate papers gt International average

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Vocationally-Related Qualifications

• Award
• Certificate
• Diploma
• e.g.
• Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Emergency
  Fire Services Operations in the Community
• All units are assessed individually there is no
  holistic assessment of the qualification.
• Centres are responsible for implementing quality
  control procedures (internal verification).
  These procedures are supported by an Edexcel
  External Verification system of quality control
  and National Standards Sampling

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Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Emergency
Fire Services Operations in the Community

• Community Safety Awareness task-based
  controlled assessment
• Personal Organisational Development for Fire
  Fighters task-based controlled assessment
• Hazards Risks in Operational Incidents
  portfolio
• Fire Operations portfolio
• Incidents Involving Buildings Structures
  portfolio
• Supporting the Effectiveness of Operational
  Response portfolio

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Defence FRS Approach

• Own exam board following national syllabus for
  promotion exams with added airfield fire rescue
  paper
• 3 year window ended Feb08
• Exams written into development programmes (Ops
  Fire Safety) for Crew/Watch/Station Managers
• Incident management exams for Watch Manager
  Station Manager

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Defence FRS
This is a very deliberate move due to our
serious concern over lack of assessment of the
underpinning knowledge requirements within IPDS
as originally introduced. Things have moved
onthe Institution may provide us with an
alternative to producing and managing our own
examinations. Mr G P Knight Acting Assistant
Chief Officer, Head of Human Resources
Development
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Awarding Body for Fire Professionals

• Desktop review
• Dialogue via phone e-mail
• Vocational Awarding Body Pilot event
• Formal dialogue meeting
• Sector support
• Submission of banking documents
• QCA panel

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Questions of Clarification?
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING
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Future Options
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• Delegates and Panel

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Expressions of Interest
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• Delegates and Panel

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Next Steps and Timetable
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING
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Tea and Close
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING

• Thank you