Agenda item

(i)            Update on Service and Operation Matters

(ii)           Performance Report.  (Copy attached.)

(iii)          Local Plan Performance Report.  (Copy attached.)

(iv)          Prevention & Protection Activities, Quarter 3.  (Copy attached.)

LSO Hilary Sangster

3.1         There had been circulated copies of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service performance report 1 October to 30 December 2021. Area Commander Hilary Sangster introduced Group Commander Keith Langley who was formerly station commander of Galashiels Community Fire Station.

3.2         Area Commander Sangster advised that the Scottish Government was in the process of completing its new Fire and Rescue Framework, which would define the 7 priorities that the service would focus on. Work was ongoing to assess how that would impact upon plans in the Scottish Borders. Significant work had gone into reducing unwanted fire alarm signals, with an evaluation process undertaken and a reduction strategy expected to be implemented in April 2023.  New domestic smoke detection legislation went live on 1 February 2022, with significant communications and resource deployment ongoing to ensure that homeowners would be in compliance with the new rules. In response to a question from the Communities and Partnerships Manager regarding public consultations, the Area Commander welcomed agenda invites to meetings such as the Area Partnerships. In response to a question regarding recruitment and retained Firefighters the councillor corrected himself to the gender neutral and modern reference, and the Area Commander explained that the Service looked to be as flexible as possible with its new and retained staff, and to remove barriers that would hinder recruitment where possible. 

3.3         Group Commander Keith Langley presented the report and provided context to the key figures contained within. SFRS had responded to 1260 incidents in the Scottish Borders during the reporting period, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in the previous year. 58% of the call outs were for false alarms.  61 dwelling fires had been recorded, a 3% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. 59 of those fires were accidental, with 54 contained to their room of origin. Deliberate fire setting continued to be a priority for the SFRS in the Scottish Borders. 75 incidents had been reported within the period, a decrease of 21 compared to the same reporting period of the previous year. 51 road traffic collisions had been attended, an increase from 36 in the previous year. Taking into account the impact of Covid lockdowns on road behaviour the rise was expected, however, disregarding 2020/21 the incidents had decreased year on year. Special service casualties had increased by 22 to 66. Prevention and Protection activities were below target, attributed to Covid impacts and retirements, however, visits were increasing each quarter. The Community Action Team were now resuming partnership work to restart fire skills programmes. The Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) project had concluded, with further engagement ongoing with local stakeholders, and the new response model expected to be implemented in April 2023.

3.4         In response to a question from Councillor Robson with regards to UFAS, Area Commander Sangster acknowledged the area as a key priority, with opportunities to work in partnership with key stakeholders to make real improvements. Regarding road traffic incidents due to storms, Group Commander Langley explained that in depth analysis had not been carried out to ascertain such figures, but that there was a perception that guidance was adhered to by the public to stay at home and avoid travelling during storms. In response to a question regarding the potential impact of the new legislation on interconnected alarms, Area Commander Sangster outlined that the new alarms would have a positive impact to improve the safety of the public, but were not expected to increase call outs disproportionately.

DECISION

AGREED to note the Report.