Agenda item

(To receive a report from the Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection which seeks approval of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), to cover the period 2020 to 2024)

(1)  That the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan, to cover the period 2020 to 2024, in the form of the documents attached at Appendices A to H of the Report be approved in principle, subject to the following amendments being incorporated:

-       reference to the student population, particularly in Lincoln, being included;

-       reference to joint activities with the Trading Standards Service, for example on illegal tobacco products being included;

-       reference to arrangements with neighbouring fire and rescue services being included;

-       the section entitled: "Pandemic Flu" being redrafted to reflect the potential impact of any pandemic or other effects arising from extensive health emergencies; and

-       reference to the recent extension to the caravan / tourist season into the winter period, including the potential impact on the service, being included.

such amendments to be determined by the Chief Fire Officer, in consultation with the Leader and the Executive Councillor: Culture and Emergency Services.

(2)  That the Integrated Risk Management Plan, (and associated frameworks) be published following the incorporation of the amendments set out in (1) above.

A report by the Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection was introduced by Councillor C N Worth, the Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency Services, which invited the Executive to approve a new Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).

The Director of Fire, Rescue and Public Protection presented the report, which provided a full update on the development of a new IRMP, for the period 2020 - 2024 and sought approval for the IRMP and associated documents, including the community risk profile and five supporting framework documents for: people; response; prevention and protection; resourcing; and evaluation.  The Fire and Rescue National Framework for England 2018 required the adoption and publication of an IRMP and enabled the service to focus its plans and resources on the basis of a thorough assessment of the risks facing its communities.

The Chairman of the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the Committee supported the recommendations in the report and referred to the Committee's additional comments, detailed on pages 39-40 of the report pack.  The comments included the low consultation response rate; the exclusion of students from the population figures; trends in the use of alcohol, illicit drugs and illegal tobacco and joint working with Trading Standards; and neighbouring fire and rescue services responding to emergencies in Lincolnshire.

During discussion the following points were confirmed:

• It was requested that in future documentation would be simplified, which would in turn encourage responses to the consultation from members of the public. In addition, there would be more activity focused on seeking responses from organisations, such as district councils.
• The Scrutiny Committee had explored the procedures for staff raising concerns.   

·         Reference to the student population, particularly in Lincoln, many of whom reside in houses in multiple occupation, should be included.  

·         Reference to joint activities with the Trading Standards Service, for example on illegal tobacco products should be included.

·         Reference to arrangements with neighbouring fire and rescue services should be outlined in the documents.

·         The section entitled: "Pandemic Flu" should be redrafted to reflect the potential impact of any pandemic or other effects arising from extensive health emergencies.

·         The number of fire incidents in the county was declining.    

·         Reference to the recent extension to the caravan / tourist season by East Lindsey District Council into the winter period, including the potential impact on the service, should be included.  Business continuity plans for each fire station included consideration of the risk of flooding and the movement of assets to another location.  It was requested that the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee would consider the impact of a coastal inundation on the Fire and Rescue Service's resources, particularly in the light of the decision to extend the tourist season.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan, to cover the period 2020 to 2024, in the form of the documents attached at Appendices A to H of the Report be approved in principle, subject to the following amendments being incorporated:

·           reference to the student population, particularly in Lincoln, being included;

·           reference to joint activities with the Trading Standards Service, for example on illegal tobacco products being included;

·           reference to arrangements with neighbouring fire and rescue services being included;

·           the section entitled: "Pandemic Flu" being redrafted to reflect the potential impact of any pandemic or other effects arising from extensive health emergencies; and

·           reference to the recent extension to the caravan / tourist season into the winter period, including the potential impact on the service, being included.

            such amendments to be determined by the Chief Fire Officer, in consultation with the Leader and the Executive Councillor: Culture and Emergency Services.

(2)  That the Integrated Risk Management Plan, (and associated frameworks) be published following the incorporation of the amendments set out in (1) above.