Workingin your own patch is an outrageous conflict of interest. I keep hearing of Inspecting Officers dropping business cards with people asking for advice. This has got to be stamped out.
I must say I’ve never heard of I.O's dropping business cards. all the I.O's I know are far to concerned of the consequences (it is a sackable offence). but i do agree with wee Brian that it is an outrageous conflict of interest to carry out RA's within your authorities area. the list of possible complications is endless.
However, I do not see too much of an issue with serving FRS employees who do not work within a fire safety capacity, carrying out RA's in other authority areas.
If they are not an I.O, or working within Fire Safety, and its not their area, then in my opinion there's no conflict of interest.