IPDS...in or out???

[mh]

I have been a Firefighter within the RAF F&RS for the past six years and will soon be leaving.  I have been in contact with several LA Brigades that work under the IPDS framework and see FULLY competent Firefighters as those who have completed the NVQ Level 3 EFS Operations in the Community.  
I have enquired about possible Transfers and many Brigades although under licence from Edexcel the awarding body for the NVQ's, do not recognise my competency having gained the qualification.

Many LAFB's stipulate these competency terms and the generic recognition of the qualification within the Fire Industry, yet because I'm not employed within the LA my achievements are not valid when submitting a Transferee In Application?
Surely if a LAFB is signed up to IPDS a competent Firefighter is just a competent Firefighter???

Any Information or past experiences would be of great help!

Cheers.

[Cut Fire Service Pay]

IPDS in my experience has been a real let down, it is supposed to be a national framework of competencies but instead has just been implimented in the way most brigades want it to be. Its full of baffling buzwords and ideas but as you say some LAFB dont recruit from RAF etc.. even though you have NVQ 3 (which is what they ask for!)

I found this out when I transfered brigades from LAFB to DFS. I applied to contiue with retained duties in my new town as i had been retained previously as well. I had to wait SIX months for this new brigade to examine my competencies, skills and atributes! I had to take written & physical tests and pass an interview. I lasted two months and was so fed up with the nonsence that is rank to role and IPDS & IRMP that I went back to painting and decorating on my rest days!

the fire service hasn't been modernised its gone back in time! On a more positive note you might try some of the home counties FBs as they recognise the quality of DFS & RAF and are normaly quite helpful

[Pip]

ditto, try some of the larger brigades in the South and South East-they are moving faster than some in ths arena

[mh]

Cheers pete and thanks for the advice! Merry Xmas!

[geordie878]

MH,

I Did not transfer from the RAF but using my ten years worth of approved prior learning )training records etc..) I was made competent by mt brigade after 12 months service. To cut a very long story short I was supposed to be transferred in but due to an administration error I had to attend a full recruit training course!!! After the union got involved the brigade issued me with a written apology and signed me of as competent.

This all came about due to the transfer of 2 DFS firefighters to my brigade.

I do know a lad that transfered direct from the RAF to cambridgeshire with his NVQ this was only last month.

Just keep ringing round,

It is slowly happening but unfortunatly the RAF is still a bit of a grey area as Local Authority's lump you in with airport fire services and are a bit unaware of the training you do in relation to NVQ, home office standards, etc...

Good luck