Middle manager session launched our review of values
The momentum towards making a positive change continues at pace and exploring elements of organisation culture was the focus at the most recent middle managers sessions for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service this week. The session launched the values review and focused on embedding the code of ethics in culture and vision, mission and values.
Led by Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan, the group discussed how cultures are formed, and the things that impact it. From ceremonies and recognition, operational events, and day to day business, as well as commitments to diversity and inclusion, cohesion and equity, wellbeing and brand and identity.
With the aim of moving the organisation forward and making it a great place to be for colleagues and communities of South Wales, the session asked managers throughout the organisation their thoughts on the good and not so good and elements of culture, and how we can move forward and change, as well as how we use the code of ethics in all that we do.
“Culture is in essence ‘the way we do things round here’ and is made up of many things including ways of working, attitudes and assumptions, as well as policies, workstreams and operational response – this is proven to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency,” said Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan.
“Culture underpins excellent organisations. To serve the 1.5 million people of South Wales we seek to enhance our operational excellence.”
As part of this we must embed the well proven National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) service code of ethics in all of our work. We must also develop and agree on what our values should be. This will allow us to be confident in how we lead, work and carry out the whole range of our firefighting duties. This work includes people from across the whole organisation – we are a team of teams, each playing our part and working together to protect our communities.
Managers have been asked to take the work from the session back to their teams and gather colleagues’ thoughts and insights. We are asking our partner organisations in our communities and public sector in Wales for their insights, too.
Dominic Mika, Director of Strategic Change and Transformation added, “We know that our staff are key to making lasting change and taking part in this workshop gives everyone an opportunity to find out more and have their say. The core code of ethics is our roadmap for behaviours and how we operate and it’s our job to understand its relevance for the part that we play in protecting our communities.
“This is another milestone towards delivering the changes we have committed to making.
“The insight gathered will be combined and reviewed and shared early in the new year. We have asked all managers to take time before Christmas to discuss this with teams, so that everyone can have a say on how our future values will make sure we continue to improve and serve our communities to the best of our ability.”
Appendix
Code of Ethics
The principles should be embedded within everything that the Service does. We will ensure that the principles of this Code of Ethics are represented within policies and processes to ensure they are embedded and at the heart of day-to-day activity.