Fire Service Circular (FSC) 20/2003 and FSC 9/2003 in Scotland, describe the recording methodology that will complement the Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS). A methodology that should withstand the scrutiny and rigour of audit, will produce consistent records that will aid transferability within and across organisations but most importantly one which indicates where and how competence has been achieved or where development needs have been identified.

The Recording System should be career based and role-related whereby the development needs of an individual can be described and the route by which they can be addressed is agreed and tracked. Such systems should be non-bureaucratic, should save management time, encourage people to feel that they “own” their development and in the collation of information and statistical data, help to inform the performance management process on a personal, group and organisational level.

In order to meet with the aforementioned criteria and to secure a capability of recording across a number of organisations, a bespoke browser based system is required. This system requires that all users have Internet access via a Personal Computer (PC) and a telephone line.

pdrpro is a system developed with the Scottish Executive on behalf of all (eight Fire & Rescue Services) Fire Organisations in Scotland.

The Specification Matrix of the System can be viewed by clicking here.