From 1^st January 2009 there will be one approved model scheme that all authorities will need to adopt.  As part of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has produced the new model Publication Scheme  that has been approved by the Information Commissioner.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 there is a duty on all public authorities to issue a publication scheme.

One of the aims of the FOIA is that public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public. To do this they must produce a publication scheme, setting out:

• the classes of information which they publish or intend to publish;
• the manner in which the information will be published; and
• whether the information is available free of charge or an payment

We must release the information as described in our publication scheme.

The purpose of a publication scheme is to make sure that a significant amount of information is routinely made available, without the need for a specific request.  Publication schemes are intended to encourage organisations to publish more information proactively and to develop a greater culture of openness.  The scheme brings together the many different types of information available to the public in a structured way and provides details as to how it can be obtained. This aims to save you time and effort.

South Wales Fire & Rescue Authority’s publication scheme consists of information already published and held by the Fire Authority, or information that is to be published in the future.

Information contained within the scheme is available in a number of ways but not necessarily made available in all of these ways.  Generally information is available for downloading from our website, by email, by post and by personal inspection free of charge or, for a nominal charge.

The publication scheme will state whether the information is available free of charge or whether a charge would be payable.

The Freedom of Information Act sets out exemptions, that in some circumstances allow public authorities to withhold requested information.  Some information that we hold may not be made public some of which are under data protection: for example, information need not be released if it would prejudice national security or law enforcement (court records).

If you want to make a request for information that is not currently available in our publication scheme you can make a separate request whereupon we will deal with your application as quickly as possible.

We will make information available in most languages upon request.

We will also make information available in different formats for people with disabilities upon request.

Please note environmental information can be accessed through the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.  Information about yourself can be obtained under the Data Protection Act 1998. Personal data about other people cannot be released if doing so would breach the same Act.