Agenda item

Update on Service and Operational Matters.

Performance Report.  (Copy attached).

LSO Stephen Gourlay.

With reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute of 5 February 2021, Local Senior Officer Stephen Gourlay introduced Group Commander Tony Collins, explaining that Mr Collins had been an integral part of his team for a number of years managing training across the area.  A third full time Watch Commander had also been appointed and all retained fire stations now had a full-time support officer.   With regard to Covid-19, protective measures had to be introduced in a couple of retained stations but this had not adversely affected availability.   In terms of the Chief Fire Officer’s vision for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, a report would be considered by their National Board at the end of February, followed by consultation on a number of options in the early summer.   LSO Gourlay went on to advise that the Local Fire Plan priorities have been reviewed after the new SFRS national strategy was published. A refreshed Scottish Borders plan will be drafted for board approval.   LSO Gourlay further advised that the Smoke Detection legislation for Domestic Dwellings had been deferred until 2022.  However, they were continuing to provide and fit detection equipment, which met the standard, to owner occupiers deemed to be at high risk.    LSO Gourlay concluded his report by advising that the SFRS were in discussion with NHS Borders about the potential to provide support for asymptomatic testing.  They had also been approached by a foodbank in Galashiels to provide assistance.   

4.2       Group Commander (CG) Tony Collins then presented the SFRS Local Plan Performance report for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020, copies of which had been circulated with the agenda.    GC Collins advised that there had been decreases in all six key indicators:  Dwelling Fires; All Fire Casualties; Deliberate Fires, Road Traffic Collisions (RTC); Special Service Categories and Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS).  During the period the SFRS responded to 1104 Incidents, a decrease of 138 compared to the same period last year.   False alarms accounted for 64% of emergency calls during the period (down 39 from the previous year).  There had been no major incidents for the year to date.   Regarding dwelling fires, the SFRS had attended 62, three less than last year, six of which had been started deliberately.  63% of incidents had originating in kitchens.   There had been 11 casualties in the period, a reduction of 5% per year.   There was also a reduction in deliberate fire setting to 96 incidents in the year to date.  The SFRS had attended 35 RTCs, a significant decrease of 35 compared to last year.  Hydraulic equipment was used on seven occasions to extricate people trapped in vehicles.   There had also been 27 Special Services, a significant decrease of 44 compared to the same period last year.  The decrease was linked to the reduction in road traffic due to Covid-19 restrictions.

4.3         GC Collins then went on to discuss SFRS Prevention and Protection activities, explaining that inter personal activity had been curtailed so there was a drop in figures.   Road safety remained a priority and they were involved in planning a Drivewise initiate which would be delivered remotely with a range of options for schools and head teachers.  Mrs Simpson advised that she would forward details to LSO Gourlay of the five young coordinators who would be able to circulate information on the scheme to schools.

4.4         In response to question regarding road traffic collisions in Berwickshire, LSO Gourlay advised that this might have been because of freezing weather conditions prior to Christmas.  However, it was difficult to quantify as the numbers were so low.   Regarding mud on roads from building sites/farms which could cause accidents, LSO Gourlay explained that the SFRS was not involved in collision investigation and this was an area where the Police had responsibility.   Chief Inspector Fisher added that they looked at causations, such as road conditions when investigating accidents.   Councillor Moffat was asked to forward details of the site concerned to Chief Inspector Fisher following the meeting.   Mr Dickson requested more details on arrest referrals to be included in future scrutiny reports.

DECISION

NOTED

(a)          The report; and

(b)          Further statistics on referrals to be included in future reports.

ADJOURNED

The meeting was adjourned between 10.50 am to 11.00 am.