Personnel Department

The Personnel Services Department is one of three departments which come under the Service Support business stream, providing, human resource, training, health & safety and occupational health expertise to the other departments. These activities are mainly co-ordinated from Headquarters at Blackness Road under the leadership of the Head of Personnel Services and managed by section heads who take responsibility for their own areas of expertise.

Human Resources

Our Human Resources Section advises management and personnel on best practice and organisational requirements relating to Employment Law, which includes employee relations, recruitment and selection, attendance management and many other fields. Policies are developed, reviewed and communicated to all employees. In addition the Section has an Equality and Policy Adviser whose focus is on promoting a culture of diversity and fairness within the organisation. Click here to view a copy of our Equality Scheme.

Training and Development

Within the Personnel Department is a dedicated Training and Development Section which affords all uniformed personnel within the organisation to have the opportunity to attain and maintain the highest levels of competency. In order to assist in achieving this Tayside Fire and Rescue have adopted two main training systems; Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS) which is used for career development, and a computer based personal development recording programme (PDR Pro) which records individual training records. Both of these systems are devised and assessed to ensure that standards are continuously attained.

The Training and Development Centre is located at Perth Fire Station. All aspects of training within Tayside Fire and Rescue can be carried out at this facility. The facilities include two lecture theatres with computerised presentation systems, male and female changing facilities and an extensive Breathing Apparatus servicing area. A new Fire Behaviour Training Unit was built in 2003/04 to allow firefighters to train in more realistic ‘hot’ fire conditions and to enable them to practice firefighting techniques in a controlled and safe environment. The training centre houses a silo which is used to teach specialist rescue techniques using Working at Heights equipment and also a breathing apparatus training block which allows different scenarios to be developed to enhance search and rescue capabilities. This facility not only simulates fire situations but also allows for specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training to take place by simulating incidents involving collapsed structures.

Within the confines of the site the Training and Development Centre also encompasses a small section of motorway which provides an excellent site for Road Traffic Collision training and facilitates ongoing fire appliance driver training and testing within Tayside Fire and Rescue.

Occupational Health and Wellbeing

We have a professionally qualified Occupational Health Adviser and Fitness Advisor. Their primary role is to ensure the health and well-being of employees at work and to promote the return to duty of injured or sick employees. Each uniformed employee is given a regular fitness test and at the same time given advice on how to improve their fitness. Our Occupational Health Advisor carries out medicals and works with staff who have medical conditions or returning from sick leave in order that they can achieve their full potential in the workplace without jeopardising their health. Aiming to be at the forefront in best practice in health, safety and well-being, this section is consistently considering smart and innovative approaches to its work. An example of this is the achievement of a Bronze award for the organisation for its involvement in the ‘Healthy Working Lives’ initiative.

Health & Safety

Our Safety Manager is responsible for providing professional Health & Safety advice throughout the organisation by ensuring compliance with legal requirements and ensuring best practice is adopted across all activities. Compliance is measured by a series of performance indicators and through the results of inspections and audits. The function of this section is to monitor and review relevant organisational policies and procedures whilst pro-actively ensuring that the organisation provides an environment and culture which supports and encourages safe working and a healthy workforce.

Associated Links
Safe Person Concept
Safety Statistics

For more information about the Personnel Department please telephone 01382 322222 and ask to speak to the Personnel Watch Manager. For more information regarding Training and Development contact 01738 622226 and ask for the Training and Development Co–ordinator.

Personnel Services Organisation Chart