Agenda item

(To receive a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer and Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, which provides the Committee with an annual progress report on the Integrated Risk Management Plan 2020-2024)

The Committee considered a report from Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer, which provided a progress update on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2020/2024.

Ryan Stacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer presented the report to the Committee, referring to end of performance update, which included community fire safety, community fire protection, the performance management report for 2022/23; and the Integrated Risk Management Plan – Mid-Term Review.

The Committee were advised of the proposed reporting areas for scrutiny, details of which were shown on page 91 of the report pack.  Page 92 of the report pack also highlighted the proposed changes to the attendance standard, to make them clearer to communities.  It was noted the measures would be going out for public consultation for the remainder of the 2020/2024 IRMP.  Some comparison attendance standards data was provided on pages 92 and 93 for the Committee to consider.

The Committee was invited to comment on the report and to agree on the improvement actions required highlighted within the report. During discussion, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       Some concern was expressed to the proposed attendance standard ‘We will respond to all other incidents within an average of 15 minutes for the first fire engine’. A question was asked as to how current response times compared to those in 2010.  It was reported that the difference between the proposed other incidents and dwelling fires was dwelling fires got worse minute by minute, and that in terms of survivability there was a requirement to have that attendance standard a lot quicker (11 minutes for the first engine).  In the case of a road traffic collision whilst it was very important to get there quickly, it was a static incident, and it was about getting the person to medical care, hence why there was a difference in attendance standard.  With regard to response time pre-2010, it was reported that at that time there had been seven whole time stations; and that in 2013 investment from the Council had enabled this to increase to nine whole time stations, and as a result, this had improved the service attendance standards.  It was highlighted that with the commitment of On-call officers getting to the station, there had not been a significant difference regarding attendance standards.  A further concern was expressed as to how the proposed attendance standards would be explained to people in more rural communities so that they could be assured. The Committee was advised that what the proposed attendance standards were seeking to achieve was a reduction in deaths and injuries.  It was also noted that the prevention strategy was focused on rural areas with regard to educational awareness and that there were teams working in local communities to help keep people safe in the first instance;

·       Clarification was sought as to whether the workforce and the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) had been involved in the process. It was reported that the FBU were involved in the Integrated Risk Management Plan and the informal consultation process, and that the FBU would be involved in the current development of the 2024-2028 Integrated Risk Management Plan;

·       Community Fire Protection information at the bottom of page 84. One member enquired whether there was a data base of at-risk properties.  It was reported that there was a data base, the service used, the National Land Premises Gazette, which identified all domestic and non-domestic premises in the County.  It was noted that this information was then checked to understand what the built environment looked like, and it was then developed into the IRMP and the risk-based inspections.  It was noted that when visits were made, generic and specific risks were identified.  This information was then made available to fire crews on their mobile data terminals.  It was noted further that for specific risks, there would be a specific risk based operational risk inspection, which would then alert the operational crews.  The Committee noted that an element of pre-planning could be done in advance of the attendance of crews at an incident;

·       Clarification was sought as to the co-operation of the service with airfields in the County and their independent fire services. The Committee was advised that the service worked continually with the Ministry of Defence, and smaller stations, to help them mitigate risk and to train with them in aspects of fire safety; and

·       The SHERMAN campaign, identifying risks that made people vulnerable to fire: S – Smoking, H – Hoarding, E – Elderly, R – Reduced Mobility, M – mental health issues, A – alcohol/drug misuse, and N – needs care or support.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman extended his thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

1.      That the information contained in the end of year Integrated Risk Management Plan performance update be noted.

2.      That the changes proposed to the reported measures be agreed.

3.      That a public consultation be approved for a change in the way the attendance standard is expressed in the Integrated Risk Management Plan.