Agenda item

(To receive a report by Simon York, Area Manager – Planning, Protection and Prevention, which informs the Committee of the of the Prevention and Protection activities undertaken in support of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's Prevention and Protection Strategies which engage with the community with the aim of preventing fires occurring)

Consideration was given to a report which aimed to inform councillors of the Prevention and Protection activities undertaken in support of the Prevention and Protection Strategies.

It was reported that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue had a number of strategies for reducing the risk to the communities of Lincolnshire.  Prevention and Protection were the two strategies which engaged with the community with the aim of preventing fires occurring.  It was noted that these areas of service delivery rarely made the headlines and members of the community were not always well informed about the extent of the activities delivered to support the strategies.

The Local Government Association Peer Challenge had taken place in September the previous year, and one of the main observations was that councillors would benefit from a clearer understanding of the Prevention and Protection work carried out by the Service.

Members were advised that the Integrated Risk management Plan set out the Service Prevention and Protection Strategy, the Annual Service Plan and Service Policy identified how the strategy would be delivered and within that, the Community Safety Framework set out the main activities undertaken.. key fire safety targets and activities were also set out in the Annual Service Plan.

Members were guided through the report and provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report, and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was noted that 47% of fires nationally were due to arson, and it was queried whether this figure was the same for Lincolnshire.  Members were advised that the figure was slightly lower for Lincolnshire, but it was still a significant problem.

·         It was noted that the success rate for prosecutions for arson was very low as the Service did not have the sufficient level of resources.  Although if there was a high profile incident, officers would find out the details of the action taken by the Police.

·         It was noted that trends were monitored and activities co-ordinated to catch perpetrators.

·         It was queried whether something similar to 2fast 2soon could be developed in relation to arson, and members were informed that Fire and Rescue did deliver education to year 7 pupils about arson and the consequences of these types of fires.

·         It was noted that arson was one issue that the Service did not focus on as much, as more people would die from accidental dwelling fires than any other type of fire.

·         It was queried whether insurance premiums would go down for those organisations that signed up for the prevention scheme, and it was expected that insurance companies would require some form of assurance.

·         It was queried whether chip pan fires were still an issue, and it was confirmed that they were, but they were not as prevalent as they used to be.  It was noted that for the most vulnerable people, where they were still using things which could be hazardous, such as chip pans, the Service had a small budget which could be used to replace items with safer versions, such as deep fat fryers.

·         Unattended cooking was still a problem, with 56% of dwelling fires being related to cooking.  There was a need to educate people on the safest way to cook.

·         It was noted that the Service had highly trained call handlers who could identify a malicious call.  However, if there was any doubt resources would always be sent out.

·         It was queried how much false fire signals cost the authority, and members were advised that this information was available but officers did not have it at the meeting and would circulate.  It was noted that the average cost and the number of false alarms attended would be circulated to the committee.

·         In terms of fire prevention equipment for non-domestic premises, it was queried whether Fire and Rescue had any control over the maintenance of the equipment, and it was noted that whilst Fire and Rescue could recommend the best equipment, it could not tell people what to buy.

·         It was queried how Fire and Rescue reached the most vulnerable people who were living in very rural locations.  Members were advised that work was underway to reach those vulnerable people by working with doctors surgeries, and GP's would be able to refer people to Fire and Rescue.  The Service would then work with a range of partners depending on the type of advice required and the appropriate agency would then provide the appropriate support.  It was noted that this approach was already working well in some areas and still developing in others.  Close working with the NHS was taking place to identify the best routes for this.

RESOLVED

            That the reports and comments made be noted.