Purpose of the report
This independent quarterly report provides observations on the progress of CFA and FRV against their respective outcomes-based fire services performance indicators.
Background
The Victorian Government has embarked on a significant 10-year reform agenda to enhance fire services reform in Victoria. In 2020, the Victorian Government released its Year One Fire Services Reform Implementation Plan (Year One Plan). The Year One Plan outlines a shared course of action for fire services agencies over the first year of reform to start to implement the vision set out in the 2017 Fire Services Statement (Fire Services Statement).
Fire Services Implementation Monitor (FSIM)
The Implementation Plan included an action to establish the Fire Services implementation Monitor (FSIM) under amendments to the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 (the Act).
FSIM’s function is to assess the effectiveness of agencies in delivering against Implementation Plan actions and provide independent assurance to government and the community on the progress made towards modern fire services providing for a safer Victoria. FSIM is required to prepare and publish quarterly reports on CFA and FRV Outcomes Frameworks measures under s141 of the Act.
The role of Outcomes Frameworks in monitoring and evaluation
Outcomes frameworks are a monitoring and evaluation tool linking a vision to a set of outcomes, indicators (including targets), and measures. They help demonstrate the value and achievements of the fire services and can be used to identify change. They can also determine whether the services are moving towards intended outcomes and an agreed vision while also identifying areas for improvement and help focus monitoring and evaluation activities on potential high-risk issues.
Outcomes frameworks can be used to track an organisation’s progress or function at a sector level to measure the progress of multiple organisations towards a shared vision and a common set of outcomes.
FSIM’s approach
This report provides commentary where possible, on progress made towards the reform outcomes and on operational performance against the emergency sector’s vision for safer, more resilient communities.
FSIM has reviewed CFA’s and FRV’s quarterly results and provides a summary and analysis of the data from Q1 and, where possible, trend data across the first year of reformed operations, taking into consideration Implementation Plan priorities and the operational performance of both agencies.
Limitations on data
CFA and FRV have finalised their Year Two to Five Outcomes Frameworks, however both agencies are yet to fully finalise and transition to their new indicators. This report therefore continues to provide commentary against indicators from CFA and FRV’s Year One Outcomes Frameworks. FSIM intends to report against Year Two to Five Framework indicators in Q2 2021-22.
Publication of reports
FSIM publishes quarterly reports on this website. Publishing these quarterly reports promotes transparency and provides meaningful benchmarking that can measure the impact of the government's reform agenda on the fire services agencies, other emergency services stakeholders, and the broader community over time.
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