Agenda item

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Mick Sharman, temporary Assistant Chief Fire Officer, presented the report which provides a brief overview of the Serious Violence Duty and the Fire Authority’s responsibilities as defined by the ‘Duty’.

The following points were highlighted and members’ questions responded to:

a)  This is a new legal duty which will commence from the end of January 2023 and is aimed at preventing and tackling serious violence, for which the Fire Authority is named and responsible for intervention, particularly with regard to young people;

b)  Whilst the Fire Service is a named authority, the PCC have taken a lead role, even though not a named authority, as it is best placed to facilitate and implement the duty;

c)  The PCC is working with partners to inform awareness of the duty and how it will be implemented. This is being facilitated by the Serious Violence Reduction Board and the Serious Violence Implementation Group which includes representative of the Fire and Rescue Service;

d)  Whilst the duty is new, many elements of activity are already undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service, such as working with vulnerable people, visiting people in their homes and schools, visiting buildings that house vulnerable people, and schemes such as the fire setters programme;

e)  The Service will continue to provide complimentary activities, whilst continuing core duties and look at serious violence within a different context;

f)  It’s important that frontline individuals understand requirements of the duty and are able to use the referral pathways to report concerns regarding serious violence;

g)  A gap analysis has been conducted, but there are areas for improvement, including the way the Service receives and shares data, including interventions. This is being considered by the subgroup, including consideration of how data can be shared with other partners to better enable an intervention and prevention;

h)  All staff undertake safeguarding training annually and although initially some were reluctant, saying they were not social workers, since working with partners and occupational therapists, many have seen the value;

i)  Data sharing is a big issue. Potentially, there should be a greater appetite for risk on behalf of the victim. There is still cultural learning to take place but partners are committed;

j)  Fire is not commonly used as a weapon, but more usually as a method of concealing a crime. Fire investigation is not a standard duty of the Fire Service. Standards are changing around forensic requirements if a case is likely to go to court. As a result, some fire services will not be investigating fires, meaning the ability to share information and data will be further restricted. There are challenges with regard to assurance, but work is ongoing.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Caroline Henry, congratulated Service staff on the amount of work they have done to achieve the current status, being instrumental in establishing the Reduction Board and ensuring readiness for implementation at the end of January. It is noted that some funding is available from the PCC to support investigation into effective data sharing.

Members commented as follows:

k)  Violence is an increasing problem in society and the Police do a good job in difficult circumstances, but we are seeing an increase in violence against firefighters, which is appalling. Emergency workers don’t go to work to be attacked;

l)  It might be helpful to share the data with the courts as it’s frustrating how leniently violent crimes are dealt with, which doesn’t necessarily support our staff if they are targeted;

m)  The Police do a very good job on the triage for mental health of potentially vulnerable citizens, which may be beneficial if linked with the Fire Service;

n)  Data sharing has been an ongoing issue, but where overcome, can provide invaluable information to benefit services and their communities, including financially if resources can be targeted where most required;

o)  To be able to address problems effectively, data needs to be shared between all partners to enable a full picture of situations;

p)  Following the recent tragic deaths in Clifton, is noted that the references to serious violence don’t specifically include the potential for fire as a method of serious violence, so assurance is sought that it is fully incorporated;

q)  This is an excellent example not only of collaboration, but good partner relationships, for which Mick Sharman and all involved are thanked.

Resolved to note the Fire Authority’s responsibilities under the Serious Violence Duty, and the progress being made by the Service in its preparation to meet the duty.