Agenda item

(To receive a report by Sean Taylor, Area Manager – Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, which invites the Committee to consider Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) for 2020 – 2023)

Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Fire Officer, which invited the Committee to consider the aspects contained in this report as part of the consultation period for LFR's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) for 2020-2023.

Members were advised that the IRMP was a long term plan which outlined LRF assessment of key risks to both our communities and the organisation itself. The IRMP sought to engage with the public about LFR's priorities and achievements, as well as identifying an overview of community risks.

Members were referred to Appendix A to the report, which set out LFR's IRMP. The IRMP highlighted the community risks, corporate risks

Members were referred to Appendix B to the report, which detailed LFR community risk profile. The Community Risk Profile was a live document and was updated regularly to ensure the public understood the LFR's assessment of risk throughout Lincolnshire.

Members were invited to formally comment on the IRMP as part of the consultation process. Members discussed the report and the following points were noted:

·       It was explained that the types of incidents that LFR responded to had expanded significantly, particularly with the introduction of the co-responder function. There were now significantly more flooding incidents responded to and an increase in collaboration work with partners which meant responding to events that would not have previously been responded to.

·       It was clarified that the number of fires had reduced nationally which was mainly due to educating people on prevention; campaigns; improvements in home fire safety and changes in materials. 

·       Members were pleased to see that climate change was being acknowledged as it posed a significant amount of future challenges for Lincolnshire.

·       In response to a question, the Chief Fire Officer explained that LFR had spent the last four months of 2019 dealing with flooding incidents in Lincolnshire. Flooding incidents were becoming much more regular and officers were investigating the most appropriate set up of teams to respond to incidents. 

·       It was confirmed that half of domestic fires were a result of cooking, but many of these were not large fires. Officers visited schools to educate children on the safety around smoke alarms.

·       LFR had obtained funding to commission an evaluation study purely to determine the effectiveness of prevention activities.

·       LFR would be consulting with the public on the IRMP via social media and the council's website. Officers would also be visiting communities in an attempt to engage them with the consultation.

·       70 responses had been received during the first week of the consultation, which was higher than usual.

·       It was agreed that the Chief Fire Officer circulate details of the content of the FM Global Heritage Fire white paper.

·       In response to a question, the Head of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity advised that the risk posed by the Coronavirus was being monitored by Local Health Authorities and the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum. Guidance was expected to be received in due course.

·       LFR were working with other agencies to try to reduce the number of malicious calls received. It was noted that the prosecution rate was minimal.

·       Officer agreed to circulate a breakdown of male and female employees at senior management level. Members were advised that there were female officers present in every operation level including strategic management. Compared to other Fire Services, Lincolnshire were performing well. However, the recruitment team were working hard to make improvements to attract more people to the service.

·       There were currently no vacancies for full time fire-fighters as these had recently been filled.

·       Community safety advocators worked with young people and schools to educate students on the time wasted by hoax calls. Call centre staff were also trained in call screening and challenging people on the validity of their call if they felt it was appropriate.

RESOLVED:

          That the comments made by the Committee be considered as part of             Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's IRMP 2020-2023 consultation.