Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sybil Fielding (substituted by Councillor Brian Grocock)

Councillor Roger Jackson (substituted by Councillor Gordon Wheeler)

None.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2016.

The minutes from the meeting held on 7 October 2016 were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Wayne Bowcock, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at NFRS updated Members on the trial collaboration with East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) on the implementation of an Emergency First Responder (EFR) Scheme at Carlton, Edwinstowe and Worksop fire stations.

The following information was highlighted:

(a)  the trial has harmonised the training standard, as well as the way NFRS respond to incidents;

(b)  EFR trial was a voluntary process for NFRS staff to engage with. 

NFRS would like to get involved with data and evidence and give the trial a more solid footing ahead of the National Joint Committee (NJC) meeting in February;

(c)  the trial has only been run at retained stations so far; once the results of the Harworth and Newark trial are known there is a possibility of it being run at wholetime stations;

(d)  there have been occasions where it has not been possible to get an ambulance to support the fire crew within the 8-10 minute guideline;

(e)  Red 1 and Red 2 are the most life threatening calls.  If the Fire Service are first on the scene, they can provide basic support to patients until EMAS arrive;

(f)  Carlton appears to be the busiest of the three locations;

(g)  the average wait time until the arrival of an EMAS resource at an incident for the Fire Service is 40 minutes. This is not impacting on the ability of the Fire Service to respond to fire incidents;

(h)  Emergency First Response incidents are very different to a fire situation or a Road Traffic Accident (RTA).  Emergency First Response is very personal and puts a set of different pressures on the crews.  Enhanced welfare is in place;

(i)  NFRS are talking to EMAS to enquire about their sickness levels and how that may affect the fire crews;

(j)  the EFR trial ends on 21 February;

After questions from Members, further information was provided:

(k)  the NJC commissioned the University of Hertfordshire last year to carry out a review of the trials.  The contract with the University of Hertfordshire is due to end and will produce a report back to the NJC.  Wayne Bowcock has asked for a copy of this report;

(l)  fire appliances turning up at locations that are in need bolsters the reputation of NFRS, and also offsets the reduction in demand for fire incidents.  However, it is clear that NFRS are not trying to stray into a different area of business, as fire incidents will remain the core business.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  note the report;

(2)  ask for a joint report of EMAS and NFRS to come back to the Community Safety Committee outlining the benefits of the trial.

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Dan Quinn, Head of Service Delivery at NFRS provided Members with an update on the development of performance reporting for Service Delivery Response.

The following information was provided:

(a)  it is not often heard in public how well the Service is doing; success should be celebrated and better communication with the public is needed;

(b)  NFRS is looking at preventative measures with other Blue Light services, such as the Winter Campaign video;

Following questions from Councillors, further information was provided:

(c)  there is no upward trend on vehicle fires through the data that NFRS has available.  On major road networks, lorry fires are generally because of a fire in the load, or something to do with the brakes of the lorry;

(d)  new vehicle technology is causing concern; for example, NFRS will have to stay up to date with advancing battery technologies;

(e)  highest level objectives will be in the Integrated Risk Management Plan; performance can ultimately be measured against these in this 2014-19 plan;

Councillor Wheeler left at 1104, shortly before the end of this item due to other County Council commitments.

(f)  some measures are used by NFRS to try and prevent fires in the homes of vulnerable people, such as issuing deep fat fryers and electric blankets;

(g)  messages about the services that NFRS offer are established under the Health agenda.  ‘Safe and Well’ will be one of the signposting agencies.

RESOLVED to note the content of the report.