1. Case Study
Damien Borlase MIFireE
Year of gaining membership of the IFE: 2014
Membership Grade: Member (MIFireE)
Current Job Title: Staff Officer to the Chief Fire
Officer and Executive Board
Employer: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue
Service (DSFRS), UK
Please describe your current role:
I support the Chief Fire Officer and Executive
Board by scoping, researching and implementing
strategic and political arrangements to improve
staff safety, public safety and organisational
performance in line with corporate strategy and
financial efficiencies.
The role is very diverse, requires a range of
communication and project management skills as
well as an attention to detail. It is an excellent
opportunity to learn from the Executive Board and
Fire Authority to gain a holistic view of the
organisation, wider political influence and future
improvement strategies.
Please provide a brief outline of your career so
far:
I began my career in 2001 at Bridgwater Fire
station within Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Was a LFF in 2004 and became Watch Manager in
2008 within Area Training which included the
design and delivery of training modules and
competency stage reviews for newly appointed
Firefighters. I then progressed to the role of
Workforce Development Officer at the Service
HQ, scoping policies and procedures to improve
the development of staff as well as delivering
training in the form of development programmes
for newly appointed supervisory officers. In August
2012 I became a Station Manager and held the role
of a Local Risk Manager which required the
management and support of fire stations,
personnel and all associated performance
measures, before moving on to my current position
last year.
Have you worked on any unusual or high profile
projects?
I am a nationally recognised European Foundation
for Quality Management (EFQM) Assessor within
the British Quality Foundation (BQF) which is
Europe's largest corporate membership
organisation dedicated to performance
improvement. I worked within a team of six to
conduct an EFQM assessment on DSFRS from 2011
- 2013. We were tasked with planning, delivering
and publishing DSFRS EFQM assessments and
updates in line with the then “Towards 2014”
strategy.
What attracted you to gain IFE membership?
The opportunity to become a part of a wider
professional network, increase personal profile and
professional credibility.
How did you find the process and assistance you
received?
I found the process very enjoyable, challenging and
would like to note how useful the IFE website is to
support the route of Individual Case Procedure and
thank IFE head office and fellow ambassadors
located throughout DSFRS.
How has IFE membership benefitted your career?
Although having only gained my membership a
couple months ago, it is a little too early to say.
However, from the initial feedback of colleagues
and the available CPD opportunities, I anticipate
membership will benefit my operational knowledge
and managerial skills, whilst facilitating
opportunities to broaden my horizons.
Do you have any advice for potential members?
Contact the IFE head office and make the most of
people’s experience.
Look at the ‘Join’ area of the IFE website for
advice and sign up as an Affiliate member to start
your IFE member journey.
Damien Borlase MIFireE Complied Feb 2015