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 4.  (Copy attached.)

(v)           Strategic Plan Consultation

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/consultations/

https://firescotland.citizenspace.com/planning-and-performance/draft-strategic-plan-2022-25/

LSO Hilary Sangster

3.            Progress Reports/Updates on Service Matters - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

3.1         There had been circulated copies of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service performance report 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. Area Commander Hilary Sangster explained that in terms of staff resources, Firefighters who were over the age of 50 years and had 25 years service could retire.  This was being managed through national recruitment, changing shift patterns, transferring staff and streamlining promotion pathways.  The ongoing consultation was highlighted and those present were encouraged to complete it.

3.2         Group Commander Girritty advised that the priorities contained within the Local Fire and Rescue Plan and the strategies for service delivery were clearly aligned to the Community Planning Structure, which supported the delivery of Community Planning Partnership priorities and activities in the Scottish Borders.  The priorities in the Local Fire and Rescue Plan also contributed towards Scottish Government National Outcomes.

3.3         Group Commander David Girritty presented the report and provided context to the key figures contained within. SFRS had responded to 1636 incidents in the Scottish Borders during the reporting period, an increase of 140 incidents compared to the same period in the previous year.  59% of emergency call outs were for false alarms.  There had been 75 dwelling fires recorded, compared to 80 for the same period last year.  Deliberate fire setting continued to be a priority for the SFRS in the Scottish Borders. 92 deliberate fire incidents had been recorded, a decrease of 26 in comparison to the same reporting period of the previous year. Road traffic collisions attended had seen an increase of 17 on the previous year to 69, although this should be considered in the context that last year, due to Covid related lockdowns, there was far less activity on local roads.  Two people died within the reporting period, a total of 4 in the reporting year.  There had been 86 special service casualties during the reporting period, an increase from 2020/1, during the Pandemic and associated lockdowns.  24 casualties injuries appeared to be serious and required hospital treatment, 34 casualties injuries were slight but attended hospital and on 6 occasions first aid provided by Ffs was sufficient to deal with the injury.    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. In terms of Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS), the SFRS were committed to working with partners and other stakeholders to reduce UFAS and the introduction of new procedures and mobilisation to UFAS was planned for April 2023 which would reduce the burden on SFRS crews and create capacity for community safety and training opportunities.

3.4         In response to a question with regards to new fire regulations, Mr Girritty advised that there had not been an increase in calls since the implementation of the new legislation in February 2022 and an increase was not anticipated.  The Fire Service had been fitting alarms in homes where the occupants were considered high risk, however they would not be policing this in terms of compliance with the legislation.  Insurance Companies may investigate if the appropriate alarms had been fitted.  There appeared to be a problem with the availability of alarms and concern was expressed with regard to the financial burden of fitting the alarms for low income families.

DECISION

AGREED to note the Report.