DeHavilland Report – Fire Brigades Union
Monday, 20 September 2010

Mentions

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Fire Services

Central Government and Agencies

• Audit Commission – Fire services plan well for short-term loss of staff – but longer disruptions may risk public safety
• Oxfordshire County Council – Fire and Rescue Service commended for excellent service
• Oxfordshire County Council – Firefighter blows opposition out of the water

House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

• Crouch – Fire Services (Kent)
• Hunt, T – DCLG procurement (tyres)
• McDonnell – FiReControl Project
• McDonnell – FiReControl Project IT System
• McDonnell – Fire & Resue Service Funding
• Tomlinson – Faulty Electric Installation Fire Statistics
• Crouch – Fire Services (Regionalisation of control centres)

Regions

Northern Ireland Assembly

• NI Assembly – SDLP – Reilly condemns fire crew attack

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Fire Services

Central Government and Agencies

Audit Commission – Fire services plan well for short-term loss of staff – but longer disruptions may risk public safety

Wed, 15 September 2010 | Government Body Press Release

Contents

Audit Commission

Summary

1 This report examines how well fire and rescue services are able to deal with periods of disruption to their normal business.

2 Fire and rescue services plan well for short-term loss of staff, but longer disruptions may pose a greater risk to public safety.

3 Fire and rescue services are becoming more resilient. Since the inclusion of contingency planning for emergencies in the National Framework in 2005, significant progress is being made in improving national resilience. This is important because the government makes it clear that services cannot rely on military support in the event of disruption.

4 All fire and rescue services have satisfactory business continuity plans in place. And some services are good at business continuity management and can ensure their services can continue when disrupted. Those services having more experience with disruption are learning a lot and are better prepared for next time.

5 But services cannot cope with every situation indefinitely. If disruptions are sudden, involve high numbers of staff, last a long-time and are widespread, there is a higher chance the risk to public safety will increase.

6 Some fire and rescue services could further improve business continuity. Not all fire and rescue services: engage enough with local people to agree what is an appropriate level of service; fully consider the effects of a disruption to services on people living in vulnerable circumstances; test their plans to see if there is enough capacity and skills; do enough to make partners and staff aware of business continuity plans; make specialist equipment or specialist staff available during periods of disruption; do enough to improve the resilience of control rooms to deal with emergencies; and learn from other fire and rescue services and from other organisations outside the service.

Full Report – Fire business continuity – http://collateral.newsflashconnect.co.uk/RemoteStorage/Audit-commission/Releases/2408/Business%20continuity%20report.pdf

© Crown Copyright

Oxfordshire County Council – Fire and Rescue Service commended for excellent service

Tue, 14 September 2010 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Fire and Rescue Service commended for excellent service

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is providing a good, low cost, effective service and is striving continuously to improve, according to a recent review.

The Peer Review, part of a national programme, is designed to help fire and rescue services across the country assess their current strengths and achievements. It was conducted by: Des Tidbury – Chief Fire Officer at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Serviceand peer review team leader

Kay Hammond – Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Surrey County Council

Alison Davey – Corporate Services Manager at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Phil Allen – Group Manager at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service

Rick Palmer – Service Director for Community Safety and Drugs Strategy at Bristol City Council

Andrew Winfield, Local Government Improvement and Development Review Manager

Efficiency

The review commended the service for operating at low cost and maximising resources, while continuing to provide a high performing service. It has been praised for making efficiency savings that have not impacted on service levels.

The reviewers were impressed by the 365 Alive programme, which is a ten year initiative aiming to: Reduce serious injury road traffic collision numbers by 10%

Reduce non domestic fires by 15%

Reduce domestic fires by 20%

Deliver a safety message to 840,000 young people and adults

Achieve savings of £100,000,000 for Oxfordshire

The review says this innovative programme is on target and demonstrates a strong commitment to community well being.

Oxfordshire was the first Fire and Rescue Service in the country to receive the Customer Service Excellence award in March 2009, and was nominated for ‘Brigade of the Year’ at this year’s national Spirit of Fire awards.Hook Norton Fire Station won the Fire Station of the year award.

Strong Leadership

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been praised for having a strong sense of leadership, a diverse workforce, with staff who feel valued.

The service won the national Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Awards for Leadership earlier this year, and in 2009, had a higher proportion of women firefighters than other fire and rescue services in the country.

The review acknowledges that it’s‘Walk the Talk’ employment strategy provides an excellent platform in attracting women andpeople from diverse backgrounds to a career in theOxfordshireFire and Rescue Service. The strategyincludes targeted advertising and ‘Have-a-Go’ days, whichoffer the opportunity for anyone who is interested in becoming a retained firefighter to try out some of the physical tests recruits have to pass such as climbing ladders and equipment drills.

David Etheridge, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’sChief Fire Officer, said: “There is a real ‘can do’ approach within the team, and staff not only feel pride in the fire and rescue service, but also feel valued by it. This is an essential basis in providing an effective service to the people in Oxfordshire.

“This is a very positive report and recognises Oxfordshire as a leading Fire and Rescue Service. Our goal will be to learn from the experience and continue, as part of the County Council, to improve our services and maintain our low cost and high performance.”

The Fire and Rescue Service is also striving to become even more effective by redirecting resources to support the retained (part time) fire stations in the county. 18 of the 24 fire stations in Oxfordshire are retained.

Council’s ambassadors

The Fire and Rescue Service has been praised for working well within the Oxfordshire County Council, making good use of resources, while developing effective internal partnerships. The council Chief Executive described the service as a seamless part of the council who acted as its “ambassadors”.

Road safety is a priority of the Fire and Rescue Service, and one of many successful partnerships has resulted in the ‘Safe Drive, Stay Alive’ campaign. The Fire and Rescue Service has been involved in the Thames Valley Police Road Safety Partnership, working with the Driving Standards Agency and the County Councils Road Safety Team. This work has contributed to a reduction on road traffic fatalities from 68 in 2006, to 28 in 2009.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “Oxfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service is a County Council service, and it has clearly gained from this integrated working and close partnerships. The reputation of the Fire and Rescue Service is highly regarded and we will continue to provide the best possible service to Oxfordshire’s residents.”

Note to media

Contact: Colin Thomas, Deputy Chief Officer, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service -01865 855206

Oxfordshire County Council – Firefighter blows opposition out of the water

Tue, 14 September 2010 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Firefighter blows opposition out of the water

An Oxfordshire firefighter won eight gold medals and six silver medals at the recent World Firefighters Games.

Firefighter Chris Aust, who is based at Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire Service’s Kidlington Fire Station, travelled to Daegu in South Korea to compete for the UK Fire Service Swimming Team at the games, which were held at the end of August.

Alongside his medal haul, Chris, 28, also raised over £2,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity, which offers help and support to firefighters injured in the line of duty.

Impressive medal haul

Despite suffering from jet-lag, Chris regained his World Firefighter Champion title in the 50m breaststroke category – which he had lost at the 2008 World Firefighters Games – and also took gold in the 50m freestyle race, the 50m butterfly and in the 100m breaststroke contest. He also won gold in four relay events.

He got silver in the 50m and 100m backstroke events, the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle races and in the 200m individual medley.

Chris, who is the Oxford county 50m breaststroke champion and former county record holder, said: “I have been swimming all my life and these games were tough, what was difficult was the time difference, when I was racing my body clock thought it was 1am. Unfortunately I lost my 50m breaststroke title in the Liverpool 2008 World Firefighters Games and was keen to get that back. I trained hard prior to the games and was delighted to win gold.

“The games are a great way to meet new people and strengthen International relationships within the fire service, and also an opportunity to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity, which does an amazing job in helping firefighters all over the country.”

Chris is now back in the UK and is preparing himself for the 2011 World Police and Fire Games, which will be held in New York.

Note to Media

Attached is a picture of Chris Aust with his medals. Standing left to right: Chris Battle, Andy Smallwood, Darran Hookway, Chris Barber, Nick Bateman, and kneeling Chris Aust.

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House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

Crouch – Fire Services (Kent)

Tue, 14 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority on plans to regionalise fire service control rooms. [15159]

Robert Neill: In August I visited Kent and Medway fire and rescue authority and discussed the FiReControl project as one element of a wider discussion on fire related issues.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
Hunt, T – DCLG procurement (tyres)

Tue, 14 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies take into account rolling resistance as a performance criterion when purchasing tyres. [13551]

Robert Neill: The Department does not directly purchase tyres.

Fire Service College do not take account of rolling resistance when purchasing vehicle tyres. Their purchasing criteria are based on best value for money.

Planning Inspectorate and Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre do not purchase tyres.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
McDonnell – FiReControl Project

Wed, 15 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent submissions he has received on the future use of the (a) estate and (b) IT system constructed as part of the FiReControl project. [15023]

Robert Neill: One recent submission from EADS has been received specifically on the future of the estate and IT system constructed as part of the FiReControl project.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
McDonnell – FiReControl Project IT System

Wed, 15 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had on the future use of the (i) estate and (ii) IT system constructed as part of the FiReControl project since 25 May 2010; and which organisations (A) requested and (B) attended such meetings. [15024]

Robert Neill: The Government are becoming increasingly concerned at the inability of EADS to deliver on its contractual obligations to a sufficient quality and time and we have made this clear to them in no uncertain terms.

Since 25 May 2010 my officials have had one meeting with EADS, specifically at their request, to hear their alternative ideas for the future use of the estate and IT system constructed as part of the FiReControl project. 15 Sep 2010 : Column 1062W I have met with EADS recently, at their request, when they offered to deliver a system with reduced functionality by June 2011. We have made it clear that none of these plans is under consideration and EADS must deliver the contracted solution by the contracted date(s).

The Government are committed to ensuring value for money for the taxpayer, improving resilience and stopping the forced regionalisation of the fire service.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
McDonnell – Fire & Resue Service Funding

Wed, 15 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of his Department’s in-year budgetary savings for 2010-11 will come from the central Government grant to fire and rescue authorities in England; and if he will make a statement. [15021]

Robert Neill: There has been no reduction to the formula grant allocated to local authorities for 2010-11, which includes grant payments to fire and rescue authorities in England.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
Tomlinson – Faulty Electric Installation Fire Statistics

Wed, 15 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fires in private rented properties (a) in North Swindon constituency and (b) England and Wales were attributed to faults in electrical installations and products in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available. [14793]

Robert Neill: Fire incident data are available up to the end of March 2010, but only to Fire and Rescue Authority level, and dwelling tenure details are not collected under the Fire and Rescue Incident Recording System. Therefore the data in the table are for all dwellings, and for Wiltshire rather than for North Swindon.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
Crouch – Fire Services (Regionalisation of control centres)

Thu, 16 September 2010 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the merits of proposals for the regionalisation of the control centres; and if he will make a statement. [15158]

Robert Neill: The Government are becoming increasingly concerned at the inability of EADS to deliver on its contractual obligations to a sufficient quality and time and we have made this clear to them in no uncertain terms.

FiReControl, as with all Government projects, is being reviewed, to ensure value for money for the taxpayer. We are not going to provide additional public funding to bail out this contract.

The Government are committed to ensuring value-for-money for the taxpayer, improving resilience and stopping the forced regionalisation of the fire service.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
Regions

Northern Ireland Assembly

NI Assembly – SDLP – Reilly condemns fire crew attack

Mon, 20 September 2010 | Northern Ireland Assembly Press Release

Contents

SDLP – A Better Way to a Better Ireland

Immediate Release – Immediate Release – Immediate Release

REILLY CONDEMNS FIRE CREW ATTACK

SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly has condemned Saturday night’s attack on a fire crew attending a call-out after a petrol bomb was thrown through the window of a car on Fountain Hill.

Cllr Reilly said: “I strongly condemn this cowardly attack on fire service personnel.

“Any right-minded individual will be outraged at this attack on our emergency services as they try to carry out their vital and often lifesaving duties.

“It is shameful that small groups of people can engage in such reckless and mindless activities. Indeed, it is important that they are given the clear message that they have no support in the local community.

“It is also important we crack down on the perpetrators of these types of attack before someone is seriously hurt or even killed.

“I would therefore urge anyone with information about this attack to contact the police immediately.”

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