QUESTIONS FROM RCC VISITS

Building

Questions arose surround the locker rooms, shower room, tea points, catering etc.  The following statements are provided in response.

Will blinds be fitted to glass wall of locker room 2?

No mirrors above the hairdryer

No toilets in shower areas

Once the lease has been signed, there is a possibility for minor changes to be made to the building i.e. blinds fitted, lockers moved, mirrors fitted. However, the specification of the RCC building is standard across the country therefore there will be no major renovation works i.e. toilets moved to shower area etc.

Lockers are not big enough for uniform, will these be hot lockers or designated?

It is proposed to allocate lockers on a personal basis.  Lockers were specified by CLG as part of the build contract.

No lockable cupboards in tea points

Will everyone in the building use the tea point on the control floor?

Inadequate size of room for possible number of staff using the tea point.

Tea points ok but for limited use only, not adequate for providing meals

Tea points are for just that purpose and decisions are still to be made regarding catering and cooking facilities.

One fridge will not be big enough

This has been noted and consideration is being given to this fact.

Concern that all control facilities are not on one floor

Why are there no showers on the first floor?

Will everyone in the building have use of the shower facilities?

All control facilities are on the first floor, i.e. control room, training room, toilets, tea point.  The only facilities not on the first floor are the shower and locker rooms which it is envisaged will be used at the beginning or end of shift only and will be available to all personnel, not just fire control personnel.

When will decisions be made regarding catering facilities?

If no catering facilities what will be in place?

Major concerns over restaurant and catering for meals.

It will be a matter for the Local Authority Company to consider whether the catering facilities adjacent to the ground floor restaurant are contracted to a third party for the provision of hot meals. Once determined this will be subject to local negotiation, if required.

If no catering facilities will a delivery service be allowed?

A delivery service will be allowed, however due to the nature of the security at the building deliveries will be to the gatehouse only.

If doors deactivate when the fire alarm actuates - what happens in a power cut?

The Battery backup & generator power would take over allowing full facilities to continue.

Is there a tannoy/ PA system?

There is a PA/tannoy system installed within the building which at the moment is controlled by the security staff.  It is still to be determined how this will be accessed and utilised to meet the needs of the control environment.

Will staff have to pay for parking?

There will be no parking charges within the RCC site.

How many offices will be unoccupied?

Who could possibly be allocated these spare offices?

Will there be any other FRS staff working in the building from different departments

More privacy required for some offices 

Spare offices if any in the building will be allocated by the LACC and RCCD if necessary.

Will there be any gym facilities?

If no gym will there be exercise equipment provided

One FRS has arrangements with county council to use certain facilities at Aykley Heads will this still apply?

This is to be confirmed.

Will there be a possibility of arranging corporate membership to the local gym and soccer arena

It has not been decided as yet whether gym facilities will be provided, again this will be considered locally.   It is being investigated whether there is a possibility for a corporate membership to a local gym and soccer arena.

Control Room.

How will the air conditioning and heating work for individual work area

Will desk fans be available?

Heating and lighting mangement is still to be confirmed.

Why only one big main window in the room?

The design specification required natural light within the Control Room.  The window size was determined by the architects, planning authorities and developers and meets all the regulations and lighting standards.

Why are the UPS in this room? Why are they not partioned off?

The UPS have been situated part in the Control Room and part in the Technical area for resilience of the servers and Control technology.  The location was determined as part of the design specification.

When does the furniture/software/hardware arrive?

What colour will the consoles be?

It is again not known when furniture and equipment will be installed, but personnel will be informed as soon as this information is available from EADS, the prime contractor.

Can all carpet tiles be lifted indivdually? Concerns over lifting them and trip hazards.

Carpet tiles can be lifted individually and replaced if necessary.

How will the remaining unused consoles be utilised?

We do not know yet whether there will be any unused consoles within the Control Room.  This will be looked at once staffing levels have been decided.

Will there be an intercom system on consoles?

As no information regarding the IT solution has been forthcoming, it is not known as yet whether there will be an intercom facility.

How will the operators hear each other?

Ergonomic tests have been carried out in simulations prior to the buildings being constructed and this isn’t considered to be a problem.

Is there a recall facility?

As no information regarding the IT solution has been forthcoming, it is not known as yet whether there will be an recall facility.

Where does local terminology come into the mix when the database is done nationally?

The North East Regional team are currently working on local terminolgy and specific risks and these will be incorporated into the database.

Who will be responsible for updating all aspects of data?

This is a shared responsibility between FRS and RCC staff employed specifically for this purpose.  Finer points have not yet been finalised but there will be data input done regionally at the RCC.

Visitors/Reception Area

Questions over visitors and reception were raised and answered with the following statements

How will staff handle the personal issue of "handing over" of children/ cars etc in respect of the security system in place?

Due to security requirements, the handover of vehicles and/or staff drop off and pick up will, by necessity, take place outside of the site perimeter. However there will be facilities to accommodate visits that are urgent in nature, which are generally anticipated to be operational in nature. As all visitors require a sponsor and general access to the Fire Control building needs to be pre-arranged in order for the security process to be followed, it is anticipated that the gatehouse will be used as the initial reception/holding area until visitors can be collected.

HR/Personnel Issues

The following statements address the questions raised regarding HR:

What will the shift pattern be?

What will the start and finish times?

Will family friendly arrangements be taken into consideration?

Not happy that we will not hear until 2nd quarter of 2008 about HR issues

With regard to security checks to what level will these go down to?

Will we still wear a uniform? Who will make this decision?

Will I still stay Fire and Rescue?

Kevin Robson the RCC Director is planning to issue a high level time-line regarding the decision making process on HR issues and this will be released to all stakeholders when available.

Is the RCC on a public tranport route?

Where is the nearest bus stop?

Yes the RCC is on a bus route and the nearest bus stop is on the main road leading to the Belmont Industrial Park opposite the Broomside Park Inn . Go to the location page to access the timetables.

Could consideration be given to appropriate rest facilities in the event of an individual wanting to remain at the RCC between nights?

Will accomodation be available for staff unable to travel between nights when the weather is bad?

The issue regarding accommodation due to inclement weather or rest facilities between shifts have been brought to the attention of the RCC Director for further consideration.

How will operators’ competence be measured, assessed and structured on a Watch?

How will the roles transfer over into the new structure?

Issues regarding competence/roles etc are yet to be determined.

Will there be creche facilities available?

It is not planned to have any crèche facilities in the Regional Control Centre, however there is a private nursery available on the Belmont Industrial Estate.

Why is TWFRS coming in first?

This decision was taken by the Regional Project Board having regard to all factors affecting transition.  However, all FRS’s in the region need to be ready to cutover business at the same time in the event that any individual FRS experiences a delay.

How will the staff transfer over?

It is proposed that staff will be drawn from the four FRS’s to form the first watches within Control.  Details of selection and TUPE transfer are still to be finalised.  Other FRS staff will transfer on the cutover of their individual Control and following the appropriate training.