NIFRS effectively evaluates risk to life, property and the environment from fire and other emergencies in accordance with guidance issued by the Department for Communities & Local Government.

 

In 2003 Central Government introduced a programme of reform and modernisation for fire & rescue services across the UK.  Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP) was introduced to ensure that fire & rescue services had the right resources in the right place at the right time.  All Fire Authorities were made responsible for developing local standards of Emergency Cover with the previous National Standards of Fire Cover being removed in April 2004. 

 

During 2005 NIFRS carried out a review of risk from dwelling fires across Northern Ireland using nationally recommended Fire Service Emergency Cover methodology. 

 

Risk areas are defined using NIFRS historical incident data and area profile statistics, and mapped using a Geographic Information System.  This includes researching the optimum requirements for the provision of fire & rescue stations, appliances and equipment throughout Northern Ireland to deal effectively with all levels of identified risk. 

 

The following Emergency Response Standards detailed below were introduced on 1 April 2006.