Agenda item

Performance Report (Copy attached)

Update on Service Matters

Draft Strategic Plan 2019-2022 Consultation (Copy attached).

LSO Stephen Gourlay.

There had been circulated copies of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) Local Plan Performance.  Local Senior Officer (LSO) Gourlay began by giving an update on new appointments to the service, including the new Chief Officer, Martin Blunden.  He also advised that he had submitted a business case for two additional retained support officers; one to be based in Peebles, the other in Hawick.  LSO Gourlay then referred to the national negotiations around pay and conditions, explaining that the National Joint Council had recently met and as a result a formal offer was being discussed.  Hopefully, this would allow the continuation of the transformation agenda and the developing role of firefighters across Scotland.   Referring to the Newbridge Training Centre project, he advised that owing to issues with Scottish Power, completion of the facility had been delayed.  However, train the trainer events would commence late summer.

5.2       Station Manager (SM) Steve Mitchell then presented the SFRS Local Plan Performance report for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. 

5.3       Reduction of ‘Dwelling Fire’ – There had been 102 dwelling fires compared to 100 for the same period last year, 12 of which had been started deliberately.    Cooking accounted for 36 of these fires with a further seven attributable to careless disposal of smoking materials. 

5.4       Reduction of ‘All fire casualties (fatal & non-fatal)  - There was 20 casualties during the period, two more than the same period last year.  There was one fatal casualty over the period.

5.5       Reduction of ‘All Deliberate Fires Excluding Dwellings’ – There had been 135 incidents during the period, a 10% decrease.    Many of these cases were linked to anti-social behaviour, with 23% occurring in the Galashiels and District Ward.  With regard to prevention activities SFRS continued to target risk areas and worked with community partners when appropriate.

5.6       Reduction of ‘Special Service – RTCs’ – The SFRS attended 86 RTCs which represented a decrease of 6% compared to last year.  Hydraulic rescue equipment was used on 31 occasions to extricate persons trapped in vehicles. 

5.7       Reduction of ‘Special Service Casualties – All’ - There had been 94 Special Service Casualties during the reporting period, a 7% decrease in since last reporting year. 

5.8       Reduction of ‘False Alarm – Equipment Failure’ – There had been 951 false alarm signals, of which 645 related to equipment failure – an increase of 41 since the precious year.  With regard to the SFRS’ enforcement policy for UFAS, LSO Gourlay explained that the SFRS had a multi stage approach, including enforcement correspondence, visits and audit of the premises. 

5.9       In response to a question regarding the Out of Hour’s Cardiac Arrest scheme, LSO Gourlay advised that firefighters were committed to this scheme and it was hoped to reinstate and roll out the pilot across the Scottish Borders.   It was noted that the Community Planning Strategic Board had congratulated the SFRS on this scheme and their partnership working which provided a valuable resource to the community.  Regarding deliberate fires, LSO Gourlay advised that following incidents, a joint investigation with police was carried out.  There had been a number of prosecutions as a result, information could be provided to the Board via Police Scotland.        

5.10     The Board acknowledged that second anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Mr Coyle advised that following the tragedy, Scottish Borders Housing Network (SBHN) in partnership with the SFRS, had sent out a communication, in terms of assurance to tenants.   LSO Gourlay added that the SFRS had carried out an evaluation of dwellings in the Scottish Borders and no issues had been identified.  Scottish Government legislation was being introduced which would have an impact on landlords in terms of providing fire safety measures in properties, for example installation of sprinkler systems.

5.11     SM Mitchell then went on to discuss the Prevention and Protection activities.  Copies of a report detailing figures from Quarter 4, (1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019) had been circulated with the agenda.   The report explained that due to new staff joining the team and not being fully trained the annual targets had not been achieved.  This would be addressed over the coming months. The main focus would be providing Home Fire Safety Visits to those at greatest risk of fire.    With regard to partnership working, the SFRS Community Action Team had delivered Fire skills programmes in the Scottish Borders. The Local Authority Liaison Officer continued to attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference meetings and successful actions from these have been delivered.  Future work stream priorities included reducing the number of UFAS calls they attended.  In response to a questions, LSO Gourlay explained that the majority of UFAS were from educational establishments, followed by hospitals.   The policy relating to UFAS was currently under review and involved working with partners in schools and hospitals.  NHS Borders had introduced the Take 5 initiative which was having a positive impact on the number of calls.   The SFRS had suggested a number of options for schools.  However, they required the Council’s support to pilot these options across one or two schools.   With regard to the use of artificial intelligence, LSO Gourlay explained that the technology existed but there was a cost implication.   Regarding staffing levels, LSO Gourlay explained that there would a further national station reviews, retained recruitment had improved and members of staff provided a high level of cover.  Concluding the report, LSO Gourlay advised that the copies of the draft strategic plan had been circulated with the agenda.  Any comments were required by 18 July.  Mr Scott advised that the Plan was in line with Council policies with its emphasis on prevention and working in partnership with communities, the public and private sectors.  

DECISION

(a)  NOTED the report.

(b)       To request officers facilitate discussion between SRFS and SBC’s Education Department in relation to Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals.