Welcome to the 'Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project' for the fire service in Ontario - the first of its kind in Canada.
This project, which is now in a pilot-testing phase, is the product of a
partnership initiative that began in February 2002 between the Office of the Fire Marshal,
Ontario municipalities, fire departments, and the Ministry of
Municipal Affairs. In addition, the system benefits from
close working relationships with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
(OAFC), and the Ontario Municipal CAO's Benchmarking Initiative (OMBI).
The specific objectives
of Ontario's fire service performance measures and benchmarking project include:
The framework for performance measurement and benchmarking in this system will allow fire departments to align their strategic directions with measurable outcomes, assess more quickly the adequacy of their strategies, and make decisions more easily with respect to the targeted allocation of resources.
Most importantly, the framework makes it easier for fire departments to identify and meet changing community needs. Operational advantages also include an ability for departments to incorporate a continuous improvement strategy that focuses on user satisfaction and employee involvement.
Collectively, the performance management process will support fire departments in optimizing their services and learning from the best practices of others, leading to improved service delivery everywhere in the province.
As you can see, the benefits of this project for the fire service in Ontario are significant, and I thank the project participants for their valuable contribution to the realization of this important fire service management tool.
Bernard A. Moyle
Fire Marshal of Ontario
In February of 2002, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), in conjunction
with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, the Ontario Municipal CAO's
Benchmarking Initiative, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
initiated a 'Performance Measurement and Benchmarking Project' for the fire
service in Ontario. The project, currently in progress, was set up to
develop and test a performance management process which Ontario fire
departments and municipal decision makers can use to review and/or establish
appropriate performance measures and best practices for the planning and
delivery of fire protection services.
The project is made up of a steering committee (representing municipalities
and the province), three teams representing fire departments, and a support
team of OFM managers and senior staff. This mix of representatives is to
ensure that the diverse needs and circumstances of municipalities is
appropriately recognized and is accommodated within the project scope.
Project objectives include: supporting municipalities to meet mandatory fire
prevention and public education responsibilities; developing performance
measures that are relevant and meaningful for local decision making and for
meeting high-level reporting requirements; and identifying best practices
that can help improve municipal service quality across the province.
Once in place, the frameworks for performance measurement and benchmarking
will allow fire departments to align their strategic directions with
measurable outcomes, assess more quickly the adequacy of their strategies,
and make decisions more easily with respect to the targeted allocation of
resources. Most importantly, the framework makes it easier for fire
departments to identify and meet changing community needs. Operational
advantages also include an ability for departments to incorporate a
continuous improvement strategy that focuses on user satisfaction and
employee involvement.
Collectively, the performance management process will support fire
departments in optimizing their services and learning from the best
practices of others, leading
to improved service delivery everywhere in the province.
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