Abstract

For fire prevention activities, the aim is to decrease the number of emergencies and fire casualties. In order to analyse, whether the undertaken fire prevention activities have the assumed effect in pursuing their aim, an impact assessment is needed. The aim of the project is to develop a comprehensive performance measurement system (PMS) to assess systematically the fire prevention activities in the rescue services in Nordic and the Baltic Sea States. These are Frederiksborg from Denmark, South West Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The PMS consists of three interlinked components: 1) the population survey, which characterizes the general knowledge and development level of fire prevention in a country; 2) impact component, which will characterize the impact of each fire prevention activity; 3) general statistics component, which will characterize the long-term impact of fire prevention and development of society.

The descriptions of fire prevention activities were collected from each country. The activities were analysed and classified into bigger groups as follows: personified activities, such as consultations; standardized activities including teaching groups; event-based activities and general information provision. A standardized assessment approach was developed for each group and based on that, independent assessments for each and every prevention activity were carried out. Population survey served as background information.

As a result of this study, a PMS was developed to assess comprehensively the fire prevention activities. To give an assessment of prevention activities as a whole, impact evaluation of the system was carried out. The unified evaluation model required for the efficient prevention planning has been developed and implemented. At the time of abstract submission, the results were not yet readily available as the project is ongoing, but the results will be provided in the final form of the presentation.