Mt replies are not defensive at all. I am merely pointing out the truth, whether hsi service is operating as it should is another matter. The ADC does not, in itself lead to a reduction in technical expertise. That lies with the failure to test Ffs kowledge (As their role map requires) and the same of prosepctive managers, as the promotion process is suppoosed to require. The ADC is NOT a promotion tool, it merely identifies those who have the potential to be managers. The RRA examines this in terms of the suitability for roles. That you are writing a development program for your CMs, because the present system requires no firefighting knowledge' shows just how far off the mark your service has gone. A proper examination of the Ff role map (And thereby the NOS) and then that of the managers above will show you that it is SPECIFICALLY written that a FF has the responsibility for ensuring that their skills and knowledge are up to date and that it is their manager's responsibility to ensure that they are so assessed and developed that this can be proven. A lack of understanding of the role maps/NOS has often led to people blmaing the 'new systems' for their failiure to actually do what their job description says. Failing to examine these areas and ensure they are maintained is at fault, so the service should have in place systems to examine the knowledge and skills at every level. They have taken their eye off the ball, but the ball has never been off the court. We are implementing an online questionnaire, where all will take regular tests of knowledge and int he meantime all staff have to make personal statements that they have the neccessary knowledge, which we will sample on QA visits.
