Mentions

Scotland

• S4M-01529 – Fire Brigades Union Equipment from Dundee Arrives in Nablus (updated)

Fire Services

House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

• Parish – Sky Lanterns
• Ellwood – Fire Services Training
• Brady – Fire Services Finance
• Brady – Metropolitan Fire Services
• Jackson, S – Fire Services in the East of England
• Jackson, S – Eastern Region Fire Control Centre in Waterbeach

House of Lords

• Harrison – Fire safety (new housing developments)
• Harrison – Fire safety (domestic fire causes)
• Harrison – Fire Safety (Research Projects)
• Harrison – Fire Safety (Cigarettes)

Regions

Central Government and Agencies

• Wales Audit Office – Annual Improvement report on South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority
• Wales Audit Office – Annual Improvement report on Vale of Glamorgan Council
• London Conservative – Coleman calls for £500m saving by merging London’s blue-light fire and ambulance services

Scotland

• Audit Scotland – Central Fire & Rescue – Best Value audit

Political Party Press Releases

• SDLP – McClelland concerned by Glengormley Fire

Other

• National Statistics – Fire Statistics Monitor Wales, Quarters 2 and 3, 2011

Mentions

Scotland

S4M-01529 – Fire Brigades Union Equipment from Dundee Arrives in Nablus (updated)

Wed, 25 January 2012 | Scottish Parliament – Motion Lodged

Scottish Motion Tabled
*S4M-01529 Joe FitzPatrick: Fire Brigades Union Equipment from Dundee Arrives in Nablus

That the Parliament congratulates the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on successfully delivering…

…00 pairs of fire gauntlets, all of which were generously donated to Dundee’s twin city, Nablus; notes the vital role played by Jim Malone, Gavin Barrie, John Docherty, Dave Kay and Steve Harman of the FBU who made the 2,500 mile journey across Europe; acknowledges the role played by Adly Yaish, the Mayor of Nablus, in enabling the engine to complete its journey from Haifa to Nablus, as well as what it…

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Fire Services

House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

Parish – Sky Lanterns

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government is taking to limit the effect of sky lanterns on (a) crops, (b) coastguard and (c) fire services.[91411]

Richard Benyon: The Government recognise that there are problems with the release of sky lanterns, including fire risks or false call-outs to coastguards if people seeing the lanterns think they are emergency flares.
Our approach is to raise public awareness and ask people, wherever they are, to think before they use them, including contacting the Coastguard if they are planning to launch these lanterns near the coast.

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Ellwood – Fire Services Training

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to review the level of joint training undertaken by fire and ambulance services.[91064]

Robert Neill[holding answer 20 January 2012]
: My Department is working with other Government Departments and the emergency services to improve joint ways of working in response to particular identified risks.
In particular, in response to the Report of the Coroner’s Inquests into the London bombings of 7 July 2005, the Government agreed that it would co-ordinate a wider review of multi-agency considerations in single-service training.
The Cabinet Office are co-ordinating this review and will ensure that results are made available once it is completed.

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Brady – Fire Services Finance

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the percentage efficiency savings achieved in each fire authority area since 2004.[91600]

Robert Neill: On coming into power the coalition Government decided to cease the burdensome requirement on fire and rescue authorities to report to Government their efficiency savings.
As well as imposing an administrative burden, such notional figures were also potentially misleading.
As the delivery of fire services—including efficiency savings—are a local matter, determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, no formal assessment of efficiency savings since 2004 has been undertaken by the coalition Government.Fire and rescue authorities are accountable to their communities; they publish their expenditure so people can see how costs and savings are arrived at.

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Brady – Metropolitan Fire Services

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposed funding reductions for Metropolitan fire services on their capacity to secure (a) specialist equipment and (b) capability for national resilience.[91598]

Robert Neill: As the delivery of fire services—including national resilience—are a local matter, determined by individual fire and rescue authorities, no formal assessment of the effect on metropolitan fire and rescue services has been undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government.I also refer my hon.
Friend to my letter of 6 December 2010 to the hon.
Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality and breadth of services offered to their communities.

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Jackson, S – Fire Services in the East of England

Mon, 23 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the disposal of the Eastern Region Fire Control Centre building in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire; and if he will make a statement.[91008]

Robert Neill: I am due to meet Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Authority shortly, to discuss a number of issues including the future of the control centre building at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire.I note the observations of the National Audit Office report of 1 July 2011, HC 1272, on “The Failure of the FiReControl project”.
It states:“The FiReControl project was flawed from the outset because it did not have the support of those essential to its success—local Fire and Rescue Services.
The Department rushed the start of the project, failing to follow proper procedures.
Ineffective checks and balances during initiation and early stages meant the Department committed itself to the project on the basis of broad-brush and inaccurate estimates of costs and benefits and an unrealistic delivery timetable, and agreed an inadequate contract with its IT supplier.
The Department under-appreciated the project’s complexity, and then mismanaged the IT contractor’s performance and delivery.
The Department failed to provide the necessary leadership to make the project successful, over-relying on poorly managed consultants and failing to sort out early problems with delivery by the contractor.
The Department took a firmer grip of the project from 2009 and terminated the contract in December 2010 to avoid even more money being wasted.” (National Audit Office press release, 1 July 2011).Our aim is to achieve the best possible value for money for the tax payer from the control centre buildings.
Our preference is for fire and rescue authorities to use the buildings as they are purpose built for them.
The decision as to whether fire and rescue services use the buildings is entirely a local matter and where local fire and rescue authorities decide this is not the best way forward for their communities, then DCLG will market the buildings more widely, including to other emergency services.

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Jackson, S – Eastern Region Fire Control Centre in Waterbeach

Mon, 23 January 2012 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) revenue and (b) capital cost was of the Eastern Region Fire Control Centre in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire in each of the last three financial years; and if he will make a statement.[91007]

Robert Neill: The revenue costs for the East of England Regional Control Centre building in Waterbeach, Cambridge for 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 are shown in the table.
No capital costs for the Regional Control Centre building were incurred in these three financial years.In 2011 DCLG have reduced the facilities management costs for the buildings by 25% and utilities by 35%, and will look to make further savings where appropriate.

I note that the National Audit Office report of 1 July 2011, HC 1272, on “The Failure of the FiReControl project”, states:”The Department’s failure to manage the project as a whole has resulted in the creation of empty regional control centres.
The nine regional control centres were purpose-built to house the new computerised equipment and were designed specifically for that purpose.
The Department’s decision to prioritise the procurement of the centres over the IT system at an early stage meant that the first centres were completed in June 2007, just three months after the IT contract had been awarded.”full report, p.8.

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House of Lords

Harrison – Fire safety (new housing developments)

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Lords – Written Answer

Summary

The following question was answered on 24 January 2012.

Contents

Asked by Lord Harrison – To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment was made in the preparation of the 2010 Cost Benefit Analysis of Options to Reduce the Risk of Fire and Rescue in Areas of New Build Homes of the merits of requiring installation of automatic fire suppression systems in new residential premises with respect to (1) comparative evidence from other countries, (2) the effect on the environment of a reduction in the size of fires, (3) the effect on the economy of a reduction in the size of fires, (4) the effect on firefighter safety, and (5) the risk of fire for an ageing population.[HL14878]
- To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of the (1) economic, and (2) environmental, impact of a reduction in the size of fires due to a wider use of automatic fire suppression systems in domestic properties.[HL14879]

Baroness Hanham: The Cost Benefit Analysis of Options to Reduce the Risk of Fire and Rescue in Areas of New Build Homes report was published in 2010 and a copy has been placed in the Library.
The report includes an assessment of the economic, and environmental, impact of a reduction in the size of fires due to a wider use of automatic fire suppression systems in domestic properties.

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Harrison – Fire safety (domestic fire causes)

Tue, 24 January 2012 | House of Lords – Written Answer

Summary

The following question was answered on 24 January 2012.

Contents

Asked by Lord Harrison – To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the primary cause of each fire in a domestic dwelling in England for each of the past five years.[HL14822]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The numbers of fires in dwellings by source of ignition for the past five years are shown in the table below.

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Harrison – Fire Safety (Research Projects)

Mon, 23 January 2012 | House of Lords – Written Answer

Summary

The following question was answered on 23 January 2012.

Contents

Asked by Lord Harrison – To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 1 December 2011 (WA 93), which relevant research projects are currently being considered by the Department for Communities and Local Government.[HL14820]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): My department is considering research on the incidence and impact of fire in the future, in particular in relation to an increasingly ageing population, and the relationship between mental health and deliberate and accidental fires.

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Harrison – Fire Safety (Cigarettes)

Mon, 23 January 2012 | House of Lords – Written Answer

Summary

The following question was answered on 23 January 2012.

Contents

Asked by Lord Harrison – To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 29 November 2011 (WA 49), what research was carried out by the Department for Communities and Local Government to calculate the life-saving impact of cigarettes that comply with the new safety standards; and whether they will place a copy of the research findings in the Library of the House.[HL14821]

Baroness Hanham: In 2004, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned research on the comparison of the propensity of fire safer cigarettes and conventional cigarettes to ignite textile materials used in a domestic environment.
The report produced was published in 2006, and is available on the DCLG website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/160414.pdf
.A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.

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Regions

Central Government and Agencies

Wales Audit Office – Annual Improvement report on South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority

Fri, 27 January 2012 | Government Body Press Release

Contents

Summary report 1

Each year, the Auditor General must report on how well Welsh councils, fire and rescue authorities, and national parks are planning for improvement and delivering their services.
Drawing on the work of the Wales Audit Office and relevant Welsh Inspectorates, this report presents a picture of improvement over the last year. The report is in three main sections, which cover the planning, delivery and evaluation of improvement by South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (the Authority).

2 Overall the Auditor General has concluded that the Authority has put good arrangements in place to deliver improvement and does well in the areas it focuses on; but planning, evaluation and reporting of performance is not sufficiently balanced or outcome based.

3 We found that the Authority is generally making good plans and putting appropriate arrangements in place to deliver improvement. We have concluded this because the Authority: • has arrangements in place to address priorities and respond to previous suggestions for improvement; • is well placed to address its financial challenges, although the scale of change required will continue to require clear leadership and direction; • information management is supporting improvement but there are some weaknesses in governance and performance; • current arrangements for developing, using and supporting technology are likely to support improvement but need stronger corporate focus and governance; and • it is meeting its statutory obligation with regard to the Welsh Language Act.

4 We also found that the Authority has achieved much of what it set out to achieve in its identified priorities: • overall the Authority made good progress towards achieving its Improvement Objectives in 2010-11; • it is helping to prevent some fires and road traffic collisions; fatalities remain low but the number of people injured in fires has increased and deliberate fire setting remains a concern; and • the Authority is actively developing more innovative and efficient ways to respond to a wide range of events and incidents.

5 Finally the report sets out our views on the Authority’s own assessment of its performance and arrangements. We have concluded that the Authority has mechanisms for monitoring performance but needs to become more balanced in the evaluation and reporting of performance and focus on improvement objectives. There are some shortcomings in the quality and accuracy of reported performance indicators and although the use of a web-based Improvement Plan means that the public can access information in a more flexible and interactive way the information itself needs to give a clearer picture of the Authority’s progress against its improvement objectives.

5 Annual Improvement Report – South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority Proposals for Improvement Proposals for improvement P1 Continue to implement previous proposals for improvement including: • broadening the diversity of the workforce; • consistent use of the Performance Development Review process for both uniformed and support staff; and • strengthen improvement objectives and associated performance measures and reporting to be more outcome focussed, identify the impact of its activity for its community, clearly show the Authority performs now, its targets and how it compares with other fire and rescue authorities.
P2 Implement areas for improvement identified in our Information Management review.
P3 Implement areas for improvement identified in our use of Technology review.
P4 Address the accuracy and completeness of data issues arising from our performance information audit, particularly recording of fire deaths, treatment of ‘over the border incidents’ and compliance with Welsh Government timetables and guidelines.

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Wales Audit Office – Annual Improvement report on Vale of Glamorgan Council

Fri, 27 January 2012 | Government Body Press Release

Contents

1 Each year, the Auditor General must report on how well Welsh councils, fire and rescue authorities, and national parks are planning for improvement and delivering their services.
Drawing on the work of the relevant Welsh inspectorates, and the audit work of the Wales Audit Office and the Appointed Auditor this report presents a picture of improvement over the last year. The report is in three main sections which cover the planning, delivery and evaluation of improvement by the Vale of Glamorgan Council (the Council).
2 Overall, the Auditor General has concluded that the Council has strong corporate management arrangements in place and is securing improvement across a range of services. Refining performance review arrangements will enable the Council to establish a clearer view of the outcomes that it has achieved.
3 We found that effective financial management, good use of information technology and strengths in people management were ensuring the Council was using most of its resources but that it still had much to do to improve the management of its land and property.
4 We also found that the Council can demonstrate improvement in most key service areas but performance for delivering disabled facilities grants remains poor despite improvements in recent years, because children and young people wait on average 1,139 days and adults wait on average 544 days before a grant is delivered. We based this conclusion on the following: • the Council is working effectively with partners to improve community safety; co-location of staff has improved local services and speeded up response times; successful action has been taken against illegal sales of alcohol and improved support has led to a reduction in re-offending by young offenders; • the Council has made good progress in delivering improvements in social care; • while the delivery times for disabled facilities grants have improved, children and young people are still facing lengthy waiting times; and • pupil attainment results in schools are good although there has been a decline in attendance in secondary schools.

5 Finally, the report sets out our views on the Council’s own assessment of its performance and arrangements. We concluded that the Council has good arrangements in place for setting its objectives and monitoring delivery of actions and is in the early stages of improving the way in which it evaluates the impact of what it is doing.
5 Annual Improvement Report – Vale of Glamorgan Council Proposals for improvement Proposals for improvement Improve performance assessment by P1 Continuing the development of outcome focussed measures by moving from reporting arrangements that focus primarily on performance indicators and on the completion, or otherwise, of an action and ensuring that: • intentions are expressed in a way which allows progress to be measured; and • reporting arrangements consistently provide members with an evaluation of performance in the context of the objective that the Council is aiming to achieve.
We have also separately provided the Council with feedback about specific service areas P2 Implement specific proposals for improvement arising from the following reviews.
Human Resources • Introduce regular, formal performance reports assessing key elements of the HR function to enable more routine and systematic scrutiny of the service, by the senior management team and members.
• Prior to any reconfiguration of the HR service, evaluate the current service and options for change to help to ensure that best practice and ‘what works’ can be perpetuated and that any new model addresses acknowledged weaknesses.
• Ensure that all services consider how skills and learning within their areas can be documented and passed on to other staff to help learning to be retained within the organisation and the development of appropriate succession planning arrangements.
Asset Management • Ensure that the Corporate Asset Management Plan is updated and clearly demonstrates how assets will support the delivery of corporate objectives.
• Ensure that all assets are mapped and understood in terms of whether they need to be retained as they are, their use changed, or disposed of.
• Develop appropriate performance management arrangements around the use of assets.
6 Annual Improvement Report – Vale of Glamorgan Council Proposals for improvement Disabled Facilities Grants Improve performance by: • Refining processes in accordance with detailed proposals for improvement in Appendix One of our separate report on this subject.
• Introducing modern methods of procurement to develop framework agreements and partnered contracts for Disabled Facilities Grants services.
• Finding out more about what customers think of the Disabled Facilities Grant process and making alterations as necessary.
Improve scrutiny, oversight and strategic management by: • Adopting Internal Audit recommendations for improving administrative and financial controls and by introducing regular internal audit testing.
• Developing a wider range of quantitative and qualitative measures to enable Cabinet and scrutiny members to evaluate the delivery of the service and the outcomes for applicants.

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London Conservative – Coleman calls for £500m saving by merging London’s blue-light fire and ambulance services

Thu, 26 January 2012 | Greater London Authority Press Release

Contents

London Assembly member, Brian Coleman said today that half a billion pounds could be saved by merging London’s fire and ambulance services.

Speaking as the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) prepared to examine proposals on the future of the capital’s ambulance service, Mr Coleman, who chairs LFEPA, said:

“I believe that up to £500million could be saved by merging London’s fire and ambulance services thus creating blue-light synergy.

“The ambulance service is based at 70 dedicated stations across London. This is completely unnecessary and a total waste of money because they could be housed in under the same roof as the fire service. Merging most of them would end duplication and create synergies thus raising hundreds of millions of pounds.”

Mr Coleman also drew attention to the collapse in the ambulance service during public sector strikes on November 30.

“When the fire service last striked in 2010 management ensured that London was kept safe by organising cover. However, during the public sector strikes on November 30 last year the ambulance service collapsed under weight of calls and poor planning and was forced to rely on the police to keep it going. This was both a failure of management and planning in an organisation completely lacking any public accountability.

“Bringing the blue light functions of the ambulance service under LFEPA control would restore democratic accountability as it used to be when it was under the control of the London County Council.”

He added:

“Fire and ambulance services work as one in France and the United States, and it must happen here. An independent ambulance service makes no sense no matter how you slice it and reforming it must surely be a matter of “when” not “if”.

Editor’s notes

Below are two reports into the future of the ambulance service in London.

http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/Documents/FEP1863.pdf

http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/HPS_Future%20of%20the%20LAS_final%20report.pdf

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Scotland

Audit Scotland – Central Fire & Rescue – Best Value audit

Thu, 26 January 2012 | Scottish Government Press Release

Contents

Central Scotland Fire & Rescue service is effective but further improvement needed to provide Best Value

Central Scotland Fire & Rescue provides an effective, low cost service. But it would be better placed to provide Best Value if it had stronger performance arrangements. Many of the basic building blocks are not yet in place. It needs to develop a culture of continuous improvement, with the board being more proactive in its scrutiny role.

The Accounts Commission’s findings say that the service is effective and low cost, with a sound approach to budgeting and financial control. There are good aspects to how it manages staff, as can be seen in consistently low sickness absence rates.

But the Commission is concerned that many of the building blocks which would help the service meet its Best Value duties are still not in place, compromising the service’s understanding of its strategic role and ability to improve. It is especially important to have good management practices at times of financial challenge and change such as this.

Its approach to performance management and assets is underdeveloped and there also needs to be a more effective approach to risk management, with a clearer focus on prevention. The Fire Board is passive rather than proactive in its role and should be doing more to scrutinise and challenge the service on its strategy and performance. The councillors need more support to be better able to do this.

Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said: “Central Scotland Fire and Rescue provides an effective service and it is encouraging to know that it wishes to improve and change. It still needs to do more to ensure that it is providing Best Value. There needs to be a stronger focus on management of performance and risks and councillors on the fire board need to do more to scrutinise and challenge strategy and performance.”

The Commission also emphasises the need for Central Fire and Rescue to keep its focus on improving its service to the public whilst fire and rescue services are being restructured on a national basis.

Notes to editors

1. The Accounts Commission’s findings comment on the audit report prepared by Audit Scotland. 2. This is the first Best Value audit of fire & rescue. The Accounts Commission will review its findings from this audit alongside those of the forthcoming audits of all other fire and rescue services in Scotland. Later in 2012 it will produce a national overview commenting on the overall messages from these audits. This audit work will form a useful information resource ahead of the creation of a single fire service. The Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. 3. Best Value is the duty placed on local authorities to demonstrate their on-going commitment to providing better services to local people. The Audit of Best Value is undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission. It responds to the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Local authorities in Scotland, including fire and rescue, have a statutory duty to deliver best value in their services. This requires them to establish management arrangements, aimed at securing continuous improvements in their performance while maintaining an appropriate balance between quality and cost. Since 2004, Audit Scotland has carried out audits of Best Value in each of the 32 councils in Scotland and in most police authorities. These audits have helped to improve performance and accountability in local government and have brought unsatisfactory performance to the public’s attention through the public reporting process.

4. The responsibilities of fire and rescue services have changed significantly over the past decade. In 2003, all Scottish services were required to produce Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP), identifying the level of local risks and determining the appropriate allocation of resources. The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 introduced further changes, placing a strong emphasis on prevention rather than simply emergency response. 5. The Accounts Commission for Scotland checks how well Scotland’s councils, fire and police boards perform. It operates independently of local and central government. For more information about the Accounts Commission see http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/about/ac/ 6. Audit Scotland provides services to the Accounts Commission for Scotland and carries out work as directed by the Accounts Commission. Its reports are available at www.audit-scotland.gov.uk

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Political Party Press Releases

SDLP – McClelland concerned by Glengormley Fire

Thu, 26 January 2012 | Northern Ireland Political Party Press Release

Contents

McClelland concerned by Glengormley Fire
Thu 26th January

SDLP Antrim Councillor Noreen McClelland has expressed her concern about a house fire, which broke out in Holly-brook Avenue early on Thursday morning.

Cllr Noreen McClelland said “This fire could have easily claimed the lives of this young family and has undoubtedly caused much distress to all those involved.

“I would like to commend the swift action of their neighbour Mr Paul Lamb, who raised the alarm. He was able to rescue the baby and calm the mother, whilst the Fire and Rescue service could carry out their duties.

“I would like to commend those Fire officers who risked their safety to rescue young mother trapped on first floor. Thankfully the consequences of this fire were not more serious and both the mother and baby are well recovering in hospital.”

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Other

National Statistics – Fire Statistics Monitor Wales, Quarters 2 and 3, 2011

Thu, 26 January 2012 | Report Publication

Summary

The National Statistics has published a report titled ‘Fire Statistics Monitor Wales, Quarters 2 and 3, 2011’ today.

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If you are having problems accessing this report please paste the following into your browser: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/statistics/2012/120126sb62012en.pdf

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Mentions

• No relevant items

Fire Services

Non-governmental and International Organisation Press Releases

• Chief Fire Officers Association – Lancashire Fire Deaths

Other

• DCLG – Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Aircraft Incidents

Regions

Central Government and Agencies

• Police Ombudsman – Office To Look At PSNI Response To GAA Clubhouse Fire
• Oxfordshire County Council – Touch screen technology boosts fire service
• Oxfordshire County Council – Fire in Fuse box
• Oxfordshire County Council – Acetylene Knightsbridge Farm
• Oxfordshire County Council – Car Fire in Workshop, Banbury
• Oxfordshire County Council – Saved by Smoke Alarm
• Oxfordshire County Council – Fire at Castle Quay Centre, Banbury
• Oxfordshire County Council – Shed fire in Ruscote, Banbury

Political Party Press Releases

• Sinn Fein – McCann slams West Belfast arson attack

Mentions

No relevant items

Fire Services

Non-governmental and International Organisation Press Releases

Chief Fire Officers Association – Lancashire Fire Deaths

Sun, 8 January 2012 | Campaign Organisation Press Release

Contents

Press Release

Following the tragic loss of life in Lancashire last night Lee Howell, President of the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) said today, “I am incredibly saddened to hear the tragic news that four people have died in a house fire in Lancashire. Whilst smoke detectors do not prevent fires, they do give precious seconds for escape. We would again urge everyone to install, test and maintain smoke detectors. They really do save lives”.

All Fire and Rescue Services provide Home Fire Safety Checks and smoke detectors to vulnerable people within their communities. More information is available on the CFOA website athttp://www.cfoa.org.uk/12247

Members of the public are advised not to try to tackle fires but to get out, stay out and call 999.

Notes to Editor:

To arrange interviews or for further information, please contact: Jackie Findlay
Communications Team at CFOA
Tel: 01827 302370

Mobile: 07870 160379

Email:jackie.findlay@cfoa.org.uk

The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA)

CFOA is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service, supporting its members to fulfil their leadership role in protecting our local communities and making life safer through improved service delivery. CFOA provides professional advice to inform government policy and is committed to developing both strategic and technical guidance and sharing notable practice within the wider FRS.

Membership of the Association comprises almost all the senior management of fire and rescue services in the United Kingdom. CFOA is the driving force in managing change and implementing reforms in the service. 8 January 2012

Jackie Findlay
Communications and Business Manager
01827 302309
07870 160379
jackie.findlay@cfoa.org.uk
www.cfoa.org.uk

The professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service

The Chief Fire Officers Association
Registered in England as a Limited Company: No 3677186 Registered Charity No: 1074071 VAT Registration No: GB902195446 9-11 Pebble Close, Amington, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 4RD

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Other

DCLG – Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Aircraft Incidents

Thu, 5 January 2012 | Report Publication

Summary

DCLG has published a report titled ‘Fire and Rescue Service Operational Guidance – Aircraft Incidents’ today.

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If you are having problems accessing this report please paste the following into your browser: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/fire/pdf/2056940.pdf

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Regions

Central Government and Agencies

Police Ombudsman – Office To Look At PSNI Response To GAA Clubhouse Fire

Wed, 4 January 2012 | Government Body Press Release

Contents

The Police Ombudsman’s Office is to investigate the response of the PSNI to the arson attack on a GAA clubhouse in Co. Londonderry last week.

Following the original decision to describe the fire as accidental, as a result of concerns raised the PSNI revised their assessment and announced it was treating the fire as arson. A senior officer was called in to review the police action from the first call about the fire, and the decision was taken today to refer the matter to the Police Ombudsman’s Office for independent investigation.

Investigators from the Office will now conduct enquiries in relation to the police handling of the incident and the quality of the investigation. The PSNI will continue to investigate the arson attack itself.

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Oxfordshire County Council – Touch screen technology boosts fire service

Tue, 3 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has upgraded its control room to enable staff to handle emergency calls even more effectively than before.

The control room, at the headquarters in Kidlington, now has new touch screen technology allowing operators to access all of the service’s telephone and radio systems through one computer. This enables them to deal with 999 and calls from the public and communicate immediately with fire crews and other emergency services.

Oxfordshire is the second Fire and Rescue Service in the UK to use the updated system.

Control Room Manager Phil Baskerville said: “I am delighted with the upgraded system. The installation has gone very smoothly and was both on time and within the budget provided by the County Council. The system provides all the functionality of the original but uses the latest technology.

“It gives us the potential to exploit new and modern features that will allow us to improve the effectiveness of the control room while allowing for future options for expansion and collaboration. Our operators are very pleased with it.”

Improving resilience

The upgrade is part of ongoing improvements planned for the control room and its supporting systems to ensure that the performance and resilience of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service remains among the best performing services in the UK.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “This upgrade allows us to build on the already excellent control room service provided by the Fire and Rescue Service. The improvements help staff to deal more effectively with the public, manage the response of firefighters and liaise with other agencies.

“Our aim is always to provide the best possible emergency service for the people of Oxfordshire.”

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Oxfordshire County Council – Fire in Fuse box

Thu, 5 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service were called to a developing house fire at at Birch Grove, Madley Park, Witney, Oxfordshire at 18.09 on Monday the 2nd of January 2012.

Three Appliances, from Witney and Oxford, attended the incident.

On arrival the initial crews were faced with a developing fire in an electrical fuse box in a downstairs cloakroom, Fire-fighters wearing breathing apparatus used a Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher to put out the fire.

Watch Manager Glen Lee from Witney Fire Station said “The quick actions of the fire crews meant the fire damage was limited to the downstairs cloakroom. We would advise anyone with any concerns regarding their electrical wiring or fuse box to have it checked by a competent electrician.”

The property was fitted with working smoke alarms and thankfully there were no injuries. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind you to fit smoke alarms in your property and test them regularly to ensure they are in working order.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Oxfordshire County Council – Acetylene Knightsbridge Farm

Fri, 6 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Acetylene Fire, KnightsBridge Farm, Yarnton

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called at 10:53 to reports of an Acetylene Cylinder on fire at Knightsbridge Farm, on the A44, near Yarnton.

Around thirty five firefighters on five rescue pumps from Rewley Road (Oxford), Woodstock, Kidlington & Eynsham, along with 3 specialist support vehicles attended the incident, with initial crews in attendance within ten minutes of the initial call.

On arrival crews were faced with a fire involving an acetylene cylinder located within a workshop on the site. Acetylene is a potentially explosive hazardous material and specialist officers deployed a tactical plan to resolve the incident.

The swift actions of the first attending crews evacuated the site and implemented safety cordons to ensure the safety of all the members of the public.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using specialist thermal imaging and digital remote thermometers assessed the scene and extinguished the fire making the cylinders safe.

The Incident Commander, Station Manager Chris Wilson commented:

“Crews have worked hard to tackle this fire, it was a challenging site with a major road and rail network passing close by. Fire fighters continue to work through the day following national procedures to deal with cooling phase of the incident”

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Oxfordshire County Council – Car Fire in Workshop, Banbury

Sat, 7 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Serious Fire in Car Workshop, Banbury

Crews from Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service were called just after 05.15 this morning to a fire at a car workshop on a Banbury industrial estate. Security staff were alerted by a fire detection system in the building and backed up the automatic call to the Fire and Rescue Service with a ‘999’ call.

Four fire engines from Banbury, Hook Norton and Deddington fire stations were sent to the fire with approximately 20 firefighters involved. Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire using high pressure hose jets. The fire was brought under control by around 6am.

Station Manager Chris Wilson said, “On arrival, the fire was threatening to take hold and spread through the building but the speed and weight of our response meant that we were able to hold it back and control it in relatively short order”.

The cause of the fire is not yet known and fire investigators are trying to establish the exact cause.

This press release prepared by Station Manager Chris Wilson 07747 472670

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Oxfordshire County Council – Saved by Smoke Alarm

Sat, 7 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Saved by a Smoke Alarm

Crews from Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service were called just before 7am this morning to a flat fire in the Barton area of Oxford. A man was alerted to a fire in his cooker by a smoke alarm in his flat at William Morris Court enabling him to escape and call the Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire engines from the Slade and Rewley Road fire stations arrived on the scene rapidly and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were able to deal with the incident safely. Watch Manager Greg Bishop from Blue Watch at the Slade Fire station said, “This incident again highlights the importance of having working smoke alarms in people’s homes”.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Oxfordshire County Council – Fire at Castle Quay Centre, Banbury

Mon, 9 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

Fire at Castle Quay, Banbury

Crews from Oxfordshire County Council Fire & Rescue Service were called just after ten past one yesterday afternoon to a fire at an electrical transformer within the centre’s main power hub. Security staff were alerted by the fire detection system in the building and backed up the automatic call to the Fire and Rescue Service with a ‘999’ call.

Two fire appliances from Banbury fire station were sent and ten firefighters were involved. Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire using compressed carbon dioxide extinguishers as the fire involved electrical switchgear at a high voltage. The fire was brought under control by around half past one.

Station Manager Chris Wilson said, “On arrival, the fire was discovered in an underground section of the switch room and involved some very high voltage cabling, fortunately our prompt response meant that we were able to extinguish the fire quickly and allow specialist electrical engineers to isolate and repair the affected cabling. This meant minimum disruption to the traders in the centre and the shopping public”

The cause of the fire is not yet known and the electrical supply engineers are trying to establish the exact cause.

This press release prepared by Station Manager Chris Wilson 07747 472670

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Oxfordshire County Council – Shed fire in Ruscote, Banbury

Mon, 9 January 2012 | Local Authority Press Release

Contents

At 7.34pm on Sunday 8 January, Oxfordshire County Councils Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a shed fire on the Ruscote Estate in Banbury.

Two fire engines from Banbury were called to the incident and on arrival were faced with a large fire in a brick built shed.

Fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately tackled the blaze using high pressure hoses which prevented it spreading to the house and neighbouring properties.

WM John Callaway said, “ Luckily we were able to tackle the fire quickly, otherwise it could have spread to other buildings.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Political Party Press Releases

Sinn Fein – McCann slams West Belfast arson attack

Mon, 9 January 2012 | Northern Ireland Political Party Press Release

Contents

West Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann has condemned those responsible for an arson attack on a home of a family in Poleglass.Speaking today Ms McCann said:

“This was a cowardly attack which clearly set out to murder a mother and her young child in their home. A number of men poured flamable liquid through the family’s letter box and set it on fire. Only the quick actions of neighbours to put out the fire saved this family being burned to death.

“This incident was attempted murder as those responsible clearly set out to kill the occupants of this house. Anyone who could sit down and plot to burn a young child of just 7 years old to death in her bed are clearly very dangerous and need to be apprehended.”I would appeal for anyone that has any information in relation to this incident to please contact the PSNI.”

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For immediate release:  Monday 21^st November

Firefighters Demand Senior Officers Come Clean On Axing Bucks Emergency 999 Fire Control

The Fire Brigades Union is demanding a full public consultation over fire authority plans to axe Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service emergency 999 fire service command and control centre.

At its meeting on the 28^th September the Fire Authority took the decision, behind closed doors, to commence the process of outsourcing the Aylesbury based emergency 999 control room to Cambridgeshire, over 50 miles away.  A number of other options were dismissed without the evidence being made public or any consultation taking place.

Regional FBU Control official Andy Cooper said “The Fire Authority decision was taken behind closed doors, in secret, with only a handful of principal officers aware of the reason behind the recommendation.  There has been no strategic, outline, or full business case presented to the public or to firefighters.

“At every public meeting where the future of the command & control function has been discussed, instead of councillors showing a commitment to promote their democratic principles through an open and transparent discussion of the issues which directly impact the public, the press and public have been excluded.  Local firefighters have even been asked to leave so senior officers and elected representatives can talk in secret.

He added “These cuts will see the firefighters and managers working in the Aylesbury command & control room given the choice of either moving their families to the east of England, where they will most likely face redundancy, or object to the transfer and face the sack.

FBU Control representative Makyla Greaves said: “The closure of the local emergency fire control room affects the safety of firefighters and everyone who lives, works, travels through, or visits Milton Keynes & Buckinghamshire.   The Fire Authority decision should be in the public domain.  There is no reason for secrecy when we are talking about people’s lives being put at risk.

“The firefighters working in Aylesbury in the command & control room are essential to the efficient functioning of our service and an essential part of the Fire Service Team.  Any cuts here threaten the level of service provision to the public and the level of essential support provided for our fire crews at incidents.  We are the front line of the front line.

Senior officers are so keen to keep this information out of the public domain that they still haven’t responded to a freedom of information request made by the fire brigades union on the 5^th October seeking all supplementary information relating to the decision including any council papers, information, presentations and recommendations that were provided to the Authority to enable them to make an informed choice.   This far exceeds the twenty working day statutory timescales.

ENDS

Press contacts:

FBU Control Secretary                                     Makyla Greaves        07973 523370

FBU Control H&S Representative                        Gillian Firth            07597 187525

FBU Regional Control Representative                 Andrew Cooper        07889 182762

FBU Regional Secretary                                    Ricky Matthews        07917 065863

Notes to editors:

The Cambridgeshire 999 control room is located Huntingdon. The current Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Command & Control room is located in Gatehouse Close, Aylesbury.

The road distance between the two control rooms is 54.4 miles

Firefighters and managers working in the emergency 999 control room will be taking part in a lobby of the full fire authority meeting on the 14^th December

The FOI was submitted by FBU Brigade Secretary James Wolfenden on the 5^th October to BFRS director of Human Resources Lynn Swift

Firefighters were asked to leave the Milton Keynes council offices during the Fire Authority meeting which took place on the 28^th September so that councillors and senior managers could discuss control options in secret

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The payments, which have still not been finalised, are a result of a landmark legal case taken to the House of Lords by the Fire Brigades Union, which was won in 2006, not last year as reported. No other union was connected with the case – known as the ‘Mathews’ case, after the Kent firefighter and FBU member who was the leading test case.

The payments are still being finalised nationally, with the starting point being £150 and only in some cases rising to £700. The ‘union’ being connected in reports with this case has never had any connection with the legal action which may explain the mis-reporting.

FBU Regional secretary Adrian Clarke: “The claims being made about these compensation payments are wrong and will mislead retained firefighters and the public. This is the result of a long-running legal battle won by the FBU at the House of Lords in 2006 and then at a later tribunal.

“The figure of around £700 is wrong. The range of compensation payments start at £150 and in some cases may rise to £700, but not every current retained firefighter is entitled to the payments.

“Each individual payment is being calculated on a case by case basis. Fire authorities are setting aside money to pay compensation for their previous unlawful actions but the actual cost will not be known until the calculations are finished.”
Adrian Clarke 07917 017 713

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The Fire Brigades Union has called for fire authorities to be given a legal duty to deal with floods after another key report recommended action to clarify the issue. The report also highlighted concerns over how stretched resources were in dealing with an “artificial” four-day exercise which was not run 24 hours, round the clock, at any stage.

The union warned that the loss of thousands or more frontline fire crews planned over the next few years will make matters worse. Such cuts will inevitably put the lives of the public and fire crews at greater risk in dealing with flood response.

The cuts will inevitably mean pressure on fire authorities to retreat back to do only what they are legally required to deliver, which excludes flood response. This could lead to a crude postcode lottery, as each fire service will make its own decisions, undermining a coherent response across the country.

The union said the DEFRA report on Operation Watermark was bold and open in its ‘warts and all’ approach, highlighting where things went wrong and the lessons learned. Such an approach was always welcomed by the frontline professionals who respond to such emergencies.

The report on Exercise Watermark, published today (Monday 31 October), recommended that government departments work with stakeholders to clarify how local and national flood rescue assets should be coordinated. Key recommendation 26 – The review recommends that Defra should work with the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Cabinet Office and the Welsh Government to clarify how local and national flood rescue assets
should be coordinated, for example statutory duty, framework, Memorandum of
Understanding, etc.”

This echoes recommendation 39 of the Pitt review into the 2007 floodings which stated: “The Government should urgently put in place a fully funded national capability for flood rescue, with Fire and Rescue Authorities playing a leading role, underpinned, as necessary, by a statutory duty.”

Feedback from participants in Operation Watermark said flood rescue organisations… need to use their resources better, decide whether there is enough resource and to consider how best to coordinate with others (3.91.p.24). The report noted that stakeholders favour statutory duty to tackle this.

While today’s report makes no specific recommendation about resources, it does flag up clear concerns. The frontline resources available during Operation Watermark are facing major cuts, with the likely loss of thousand more frontline crews in the next few years.

Today’s report highlights:

3.102. Many different groups including UK government departments, local
authorities, the Environment Agency and utility companies, were able to prove
enough resource for the four days of the core exercise. They said that they would
have found it difficult to provide enough resource had the exercise run 24 hours a
day or over a more prolonged period of time.
3.103. A wide range of emergency planners and responders said that it was good
to have an opportunity to test internal resource plans but it showed that the
amount of resource needed is not fully understood for the impact of a severe,
wide-area emergency.
3.104. All responders need to be able to react to flooding events of the scale
described in the Cabinet Office national planning assumption by using existing
resources better and by getting help from elsewhere (for example, mutual aid,
foreign assistance).
3.105. The resource demands during Exercise Watermark need to be carefully
assessed and balanced with the artificial nature of the exercise. The core
exercise did not happen over a 24-hour period which would have needed more
resource but some of the additional ‘bolt on’ exercises held at the same time
used resources that could be available as mutual aid in a real incident.

Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary said: “Genuine professionals welcome the ‘warts and all’ approach taken by those who prepared this report. It is an antidote to the mutual back-slapping that so often follows the immediate aftermath of real major incidents.

“The only way of improving in the future is by clearly identifying what has gone wrong and recommending how to put it right. This report does not shy away from this and the professionals will take this on board.

“We expect government to move forward with proposals to place a legal duty on fire authorities to respond to floods, which it can do without primary legislation. The need for urgent action on this point was highlighted by Pitt in 2008 and it is now time to act.

“The major cuts to frontline fire crews, command and control centres and officers must be halted. There is a very real danger that lives will be lost if the cuts are not stopped.

“The huge cuts will add intense pressure on fire authorities to cut services back to what they are legally required to do, and that excludes flooding. As each authority makes its own decisions, there will inevitably be a postcode lottery in flood response, undermining attempts at ensuring a common approach across the country.”

Media office 0208 541 1765 or 07736 818100

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DeHavilland Report – Fire Brigades Union
Monday, 24 October 2011

Mentions

Westminster Debates and Legislation

• MPs debate Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

TV and Radio

• 24th October

Fire Services

House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

• Whiteford – Fire Service Pensions (Opt-out)
• Whiteford – Fire Service Pensions (Membership)
• Michael – House Fires

House of Lords

• Laird – Fire Services (Rioting)

Other

• DCLG – Time to test your smoke alarm

Regions

No relevant items

Mentions

Westminster Debates and Legislation

MPs debate Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund

Mon, 17 October 2011 | Debate – Adjournment and General

…hout any account having been taken of whether it is legitimate, whether it makes schemes affordable or whether, as has been said, it makes them less sustainable. A survey carried out by YouGov for the Fire Brigades Union suggested that 27% of its members could opt out and 12% would be very likely to opt out of their scheme if these changes go through. Unison has suggested that 350,000 people could opt out of these sc…
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TV and Radio

24th October

Mon, 24 October 2011 | DeHavilland Press Review

…lders could see their retirement incomes significantly increased if a High Court test case rules against changes to the way that payouts are calculated.

The Daily Telegraph writes that the Fire Brigades Union, NASUWT, the Prison Officers Association, the Public and Commercial Services Union, Unison and Unite are taking High Court action to argue that a switch in the way increases to pensions are calculate…

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Fire Services

House of Commons

House of Commons Questions

Whiteford – Fire Service Pensions (Opt-out)

Wed, 19 October 2011 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the proportion of workers who will opt out of fire service pension schemes in the next five years. [75096]
Robert Neill: In his interim report, the right hon. the Lord Hutton of Furness, recommended increasing employee contributions as the cost of public service pensions had increased by a third due to improving longevity and this additional cost had fallen primarily on taxpayers. The Government accepted Lord Hutton’s rationale and, at the spending review, announced the intention to implement progressive increases to employee contribution rates in public sector pension schemes, equivalent to 3.
2% on average to be phased in from April 2012.
The Treasury published an estimate of likely opt-out rates, which applied to the fire service pension schemes, at the spending review:http://cdn.
hm-treasury.
gov.
uk/sr2010_policycostings.
pdfwhich has been scrutinised by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility.
To help minimise opt-outs, a statutory consultation for the firefighters’ pension schemes, published on 9 September 2011, proposes that any increases in contributions should be progressive and phased, and that there will be protection from increases for lower earners. There will also remain a strong economic rationale for all members to remain in good quality, guaranteed, reformed public service pension schemes.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
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Whiteford – Fire Service Pensions (Membership)

Wed, 19 October 2011 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of fire services employees are members of Government-guaranteed pension schemes; and what estimate he has made of changes to this proportion over the next five years. [75095]

Robert Neill: As at the end of 2009-10, fire and rescue authorities in England reported that there were:24,351 regular firefighter members and 145 optants outs of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 1992, representing a participation rate of 99.
4%5,045 regular firefighter members (which includes whole-time and part-time regulars but excludes retained) and 392 optants of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006, representing a participation rate of 92.
8%, and6,928 retained firefighter members and 2,833 optants out of the New Firefighters’ Pension Scheme 2006, representing a participation rate of 71.
0%.
The Department does not hold information on the percentage of control staff who are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The Treasury published an estimate of likely opt-out rates for the unfunded public service pension schemes at the spending review:http://cdn.
hm-treasury.
gov.
uk/sr2010_policycostings.
pdfwhich has been scrutinised by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. No further estimate has been made on changes to participation rates over the next five years.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
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Michael – House Fires

Wed, 19 October 2011 | House of Commons – Written Answer

Contents

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons his Department objects to the undertaking of further research to assess the potential benefits of installing sprinklers in new domestic premises as set out in the Building Regulations Review Bill. [75742]

Andrew Stunell: The Government have no objections to the undertaking of research to assess the potential benefits of installing sprinklers in new domestic premises. Officials from my Department have been working with the Chief Fire Officers Association who commissioned the Building Research Establishment to carry out further work in this area. We look forward to seeing the results of this work.
The Government’s views on the Building Regulations (Review) Bill were set out during its second reading 22 October 2010, Official Report, column 1019.

Click here to view the source of this item online.
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House of Lords

Laird – Fire Services (Rioting)

Fri, 21 October 2011 | House of Lords – Written Answer

Summary

The following question was answered on 21 October 2011.

Contents

Asked by Lord Laird – To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 5 October (WA 209), whether they will institute a review of the contents of the Dear Chief Fire Officer Letter 7 dated 6 July 1993 from Reginald Doyle, Chief Inspector of Fire Services, placed in the Library of the House under reference DEP2011-1517, in paragraph 2.
5 that “officers in charge should not hesitate to withdraw personnel or appliances if endangered by rioters”. [HL12417]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Hanham): The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, Sir Ken Knight, is responsible for the commission and production of national operational guidance for the Fire and Rescue Service in England. Following the civil disturbances in August, a review of current guidance, including the Dear Chief Fire Officer letter 7 dated 6 July 1993 from Reginald Doyle, Chief Inspector of Fire Services, has been commenced to ensure that lessons learnt from the events in August are incorporated into future guidance.

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

DCLG – Time to test your smoke alarm

Tue, 18 October 2011 | Report Publication

Summary

DCLG has published a report titled ‘Time to test your smoke alarm’ today.

Click to View

If you are having problems accessing this report please paste the following into your browser: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/newsroom/word/2011239.doc

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Regions

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The report highlights the poor performance of previous Public Private Partnerships, finding that one in five (20%) of PPP strategic partnership contracts have either been terminated, reduced in scope, or suffered significant operational and/or financial problems. This is a higher rate than for PFI projects and imposes many more risks for the London Fire and Emergency Services.

Darren Johnson, Green Fire Authority member said “I don’t want to see pivotal London Fire Brigade services privatised as we have seen far too many privatisations that have been costly and ineffective. That is why I welcome these proposals that call on the Fire Brigade to work with staff and unions in designing improved in-house provision for training and fire control.”

The cross union stance has also been supported by Ken Livingstone and Former Fire Authority member Val Shawcross. They have called on Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson to drop plans to rush through the privatisation of the London Fire Brigade control centre.

Ken Livingstone said: “Under a Tory Mayor and his Tory fire supremo Conservative ideology is being put before the interests of ordinary Londoners. Londoners not shareholders must come first.
“London’s mayor should be protecting our emergency services not privatising them. I cannot think of a more unjustifiable, foolish or dangerous policy under this mayor than privatising the control centre of the fire brigade. It is a new low.

“My commitment to Londoners is that I will campaign flat out against this plan, and from the outset of my administration, if I am elected, there will be a fresh approach at the Fire Brigade – and Boris Johnson’s privatiser in chief, Brian Coleman, will be sacked as the chair of the fire authority.”
Controversial Fire Authority Chair, Brian Coleman has brought forward the time table for the outsourcing of both training and the control centre to ensure that they are pushed through before next year’s GLA elections. At a recent Fire Authority meeting when asked ‘are there any functions of LFEPA that you believe are inappropriate for take-over by private operators?’ Brian Coleman replied ‘No, in the right circumstances.’

It is the belief of all three unions that the rushed drive to push through these privatisations will put Londoner safety in jeopardy and increase long term costs.

Amongst the report’s recommendations are to retain in-house provision of training and immediately implement localised training arrangements and immediately amend the Fire Control procurement to withdraw the managed services option. The project to design, build, provide and maintain control and mobilising ICT services should proceed.

The three stage decision making process starts next week and culminates in next month’s Fire Authority meeting. Changes to the rules of how the fire authority is constituted after the last mayoral election mean the Conservative group have an overall majority which would enable them to push these controversial plans through unchecked.

Ends

Contacts

Gordon Fielden FBU, 07854 998515

Tony Phillips UNISON, 07584583971

Charles Adje, GMB 07852961517

Vic Bagnelle, GMB Control, 07917072531

Editors’ notes

1. Brian Coleman refuses to rule out wholesale privatisation of London Fire Brigade

(iv) Question No. 285 – by Mr Mike Tuffrey AM
In light of FEP 1703 ‘Proposed response to DCLG consultation on the Future of Fire Service Control Rooms in England and replacement of our existing mobilising system’ which states “responsibility for day to day service delivery should then be outsourced wherever possible” are there any functions of LFEPA that you believe are inappropriate for take-over by private operators?

The following reply was circulated to all Members prior to the Authority:-

Brian Coleman – No, in the right circumstances.

Mr Tuffrey – Clearly there are cases where it makes sense to buy in goods and services: we don’t
build our own fire stations; we don’t build our own fire engines; we don’t even maintain our own fire
engines, although that is a topic for further discussion later on in the agenda. But to say that we
should outsource services wherever possible, does that not mean that essentially you are saying,
ideologically speaking, you prefer the profit motive as the basic approach? I’m not sure that
Londoners will agree that the profit motive is the way to run the fire service. So can I invite you to re-phrase your answer to say – “Only in the right circumstances”?

Chairman – My answer stands.

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RPI/CPI: JUDICIAL REVIEW 25 OCTOBER 2011

You will be aware that as a part of the ongoing campaign to defend public sector pensions the FBU have instigated, along with several other unions, a legal challenge over the Government’s decision to change the uprating mechanism for pensions from the Retail Price Index (RPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This will reduce the value of pensions by approximately 15% over 20 years.

Our judicial review is scheduled for hearing at the High Court on Tuesday 25 October starting at 10.30am.

There is to be a lobby organised by the unions concerned to coincide with the start of proceedings, details as follows:

Location

The Royal Courts of Justice
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Date and lobby start time

Tuesday 25 October: assemble from 8.30am onwards

We are asking that those regions within a reasonable travel distance of central London organise members to make up the FBU part of the lobby for this important event.

In the first instance can you contact a brigade official if you are able to go and they should be able to give you details of any travel arrangements that have been organised through the region.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

MATT WRACK

GENERAL SECRETARY

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Duncan Milligan
Head of Communications and Research
Fire Brigades Union
68 Coombe Road
Kingston Upon Thames
Surrey
KT2 7AE
0208 541 1765
Mobile 07736 818100

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