Archived decisions

Contact: Alan House, Deputy Chief Fire Officer (Operations & Training) 023 8064 4000 x 205

Introduction

This report summarises the operational activity for 2001/2002 and, using simple graphs highlights any significant trends since 1990/91. The level of operational activity has a direct impact on resources: both in terms of the deployment of personnel and in the use of vehicles and equipment.

The trends shown in these statistics will need to be taken into account in the Service's development plan and the budget process.

The Authority's budget is based on an `average year' in terms of operational activity. The budget for retained firefighters pay is based on a rolling five-year average number of incidents. When operational activity exceeds 5% of the average, the contingency arrangements (explained in previous reports to the Authority) are triggered to ensure that any shortfall is covered.

The red line indicates actual financial year figures. The black dotted line is a three-year moving average line.

Total Incidents

The total number of incidents attended for 2001/02 was 26,087. This represents an increase of 12% on 2000/01; this was also Hampshire's busiest year on record.

Primary (Property) Fires

Property fires showed an 8% increase in 2001/02. This is part of a general rise in all types of fire. As the graph shows, since 1990/91 there has been underlying upward trend (16%)

Secondary Fires

"Secondary fires" include minor heath/grassland fires and refuse containers, etc. This category typically reflects the extremes of the weather. With the dry start to the year, 2001/02 failed to eclipse the 1995/96 figures of 7,672 but finished on 7,292. This represents an increase of 38% on 2000/01.

Chimney Fires

After five years of decreases in chimney fires, 2001/02 saw the first increase, albeit a minor rise, 359 from 328. However, the underlying trend is downward despite the recent increase in popularity in open fires. Publicity aimed at encouraging householders to take preventative measures through regular sweeping may well have played a part in the underlying downward trend.

False Alarms - Good Intent

While there are year-to-year fluctuations in the number of false alarms of good intent, the underlying trend is an upward one. 2001/02 saw an increase of 241 on the previous year. These calls are not considered a problem as the public are encouraged to call the fire service if they are ever in any doubt about the possibility of a fire or other incident.

False Alarms from Automatic Fire Detection Equipment

Unfortunately, despite the efforts to reduce the number of automatic fire alarms, 2001/02 saw a slight increase (2%). From April 2002, the top 20 worst offenders will have designated Technical Safety Officers visiting them on a regular basis in order to reduce the number of repeat calls.

Malicious False Alarms

For the third year the number of Malicious (hoax) calls has risen. This to some extent can be related to the inclusion of malicious automatic fire alarms, but this is a trend that is once again starting to increase.

A new initiative has been launched in Hampshire which will involve messages being sent to mobile phones used to make malicious calls stating the use of the phone will be cancelled by the service provider.

Road Traffic Accidents

After the recent years of constant call rates, 2001/02 saw a second sharp rise in RTA's. Incidents in 2001/02 increased by 8% and despite the many year on year fluctuations since 1990/91, RTA's have risen by 18%.

Work on the County Council and the Service's Geographical Information Systems has commenced to try and identify accident `black spots' within the county.

Special Service Calls

As anticipated, 2001/02 saw a significant decline in the number of special service calls (19%). 2001/02 did not see the serious flooding of the previous year, which was the contributory factor with this reduction.

Recommendations

That the report be noted.

Dir.fin HFRA 25 9 2002 Operational Activity KB/MS/JMW/23/8/2002