Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

8 December 2004 Item 9

Activity Report

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Deputy Chief Fire Officer Alan House - 023 8062 6831

1

Responding

The total number of incidents for the calendar year from 1 January until the present time is approximately 4000 down on the same period last year. We have experienced one of the wettest summers in the county for a number of years and this has had a direct impact on the number of FDR3 fires including gorse, grass, heathland etc. It is interesting to note the impact that the weather has on the work of the Service and that a reduction in the above types of incident accounts for the majority of the reduction in total operational activity. FDR3 fires have reduced from approximately 7900 at the end of October 2004 to approximately 4900 during 2003.

It is also very pleasing to note that there has been a large reduction in the number of fires involving derelict vehicles from 555 during 2003 to 306 for the corresponding period this year. A lot of excellent work and initiatives have been carried out with the Police, Local Authorities and other interested parties to remove derelict vehicles from the highways which removes the opportunity for this type of incident to occur. It is obvious that the majority of these calls are caused by arson.

2

Preventing

2.1

Summary of the Fire Challenge Crew (Schools Education) (July 2004 to September 2004)

No figures provided due to school summer holidays. Autumn term figures will be available at the February 2005 Authority meeting.

2.2

Summary of Campaign Activity (15 October 2004 to 15 January 2005) - National and Hampshire Wide Safety Campaigns

2.2.1

Electric Blanket Campaign

Hampshire campaign: 15 September 2004 to 16 October 2004.

Aim: To promote the safe use of electric blankets in the home. To identify faulty blankets and remove them from use.

Summary of activities: 12 fire stations opened to allow local testing of blankets brought in by appointment. Over 1200 blankets tested, resulting in the removal of 530 potential fire risks. In addition, 140 home fire safety check referrals were obtained.

Delivery partners: CFS Department, HFRS Press and Publicity Department, HFRS Web Team, HFRS Audio Visual, HCC Trading Standards, PCC Trading Standards, Gems Engineering, Basingstoke and Deane BC, Portsmouth CC, Rushmoor and Hart DC, East Hampshire DC, Fareham and Gosport BC, Winchester CC, Eastleigh BC, New Forest DC and Age Concern. The following fire stations: Cosham, Lymington, New Milton, Hardley, Winchester, Eastleigh, Gosport, Fleet, Rushmoor, Petersfield, Andover, Basingstoke and Waterlooville.

2.2.2

Smoke Alarm Maintenance Campaign

National campaign: 15 September 2004 to 1 November 2004.

Aim: To promote smoke alarm maintenance by regular testing and cleaning. To reinforce the message that smoke alarms save lives.

Summary of activities: National media coverage in selected consumer publications and TV magazines. National TV commercials and local commercial radio advertisement. National campaign leaflets and display of banners. HFRS local press and media campaign.

Delivery partners: ODPM, National Community Fire Safety Centre, CFS Department, HFRS Marketing and Communications Department and HFRS Web Team.

2.2.3

Chimney and Thatched Property - Fire Prevention Campaign

Hampshire campaign: 15 October 2004 to 12 November 2004.

Aim: To reduce preventable fires in thatched properties and raise the awareness of the risk of chimney fires.

Summary of activities: Personalised letter and information leaflet sent to all known thatched property owner/occupiers in Hampshire. Press release to all local press and media and local radio interviews. Last years campaign resulted in around a 50% reduction in fires in thatched properties.

Delivery partners: CFS Department, HFRS Marketing and Communications Department, HFRS Central Services, Hampshire County Council and National Farmers Union.

2.2.4

Celebrate Safely - Incorporating Fireworks Safety Campaign

National campaign: 18 October 2004 to 31 December 2004.

Aim: To reduce the number of preventable accidents, injuries and fires attributed to the misuse of fireworks. To promote seasonal safety messages to prevent fires in the home during Christmas and New Year.

Summary of activities: National press and media campaign. Multi agency press and media campaign within Hampshire. CFS and fire crews attending various firework displays and events. Posters displayed and leaflet distributed by identified campaign partners throughout Hampshire. Schools Fire Challenge Team have delivered firework messages within their programme of activities. All schools are using our graphics and safety messages within their newsletters.

Delivery partners: CFS Department, HFRS Marketing and Communications Department, HFRS Web Team, various fire stations, HFRS Fire Challenge Team, Blue Cross, Beaulieu Motor Museum, Gunwharf Quays, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Hampshire Police, Hampshire Trading Standards, Woolworths and Hampshire Libraries.

3

Protecting

3.1

Data Gathering Toolkit for Operational Staff

As part of the work in developing the fire safety audit, a toolkit has been provided to enable operational staff to gather data and information on buildings other than domestic dwellings. This will provide information to support the Fire Service Emergency Cover data and determine a broad brush assessment of the risk, which in turn will assist with prioritising the need for a fire safety audit of the premises in accordance with our Risk Reduction Plan.

3.2

Community Fire Risk Management Information System (CFRMIS)

Progress is being made in the development of this new system which will facilitate our risk data for buildings throughout Hampshire. Development is also ongoing to provide flexible working arrangements for fire safety inspectors to meet the requirements of the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order aligned to E-government.

3.3

Risk Reduction Programme

Statistics are now available which cover the last 3 months inspections. The outcomes show a reduction of 9.8% in very high risk and 2.5% in high risk. These results are very encouraging and demonstrate a successful risk reduction planning for Protection, making Hampshire safer.

4

Group Activity

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

1

16

1

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

7

121

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

15

34

17

Protecting

Commencement of joint inspections with Basingstoke and Deane licensing inspectors in identified high risk premises.

The partnership with the Festival Place is ongoing and will shortly result in the production of a draft premises risk management plan.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

3

24

10

6

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

5

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

3

0

0

Protecting

Ongoing commitment with both of the areas Football League clubs.

Early negotiations commencing with Hart District Council to address the HMO issue within Hart DC boundaries.

Responding

3 September 2004: 600 pallets, 2 large skips and a large quantity of rubbish were severely damaged in fire at Strand Europe, Strand House, Galway Rd, Yateley. The heat from the blaze also caused damage to the cladding of a warehouse. 4 pumps from Yateley, Fleet, Hartley Wintney and Crowthorne, assisted by the Special Equipment Unit from Basingstoke used 4 jets and 2 hosereels to extinguish.

23 September 2004: An emergency call was received from a youth at Bourley Road, Aldershot, stating that he was trapped in the mud. Unfortunately he could not be easily located, so Control rang him back on his mobile and established that he was in a rural, hilly, woodland area with a number of lakes. The Officer in charge instructed all of the pumps to switch off their lights and traversed the area with his headlights and blue lights on and asked Control to inform them when the caller could see the blue lights. They were able to locate him by this method and firefighters were sent into the mud to rescue him. The Officer said that there was no way the boy could have extricated himself but he was rescued by the crew and suffered no ill effects and was eventually reunited with his trainers which had been pulled off by the mud. This was a further example of the increasing rescue capability provided by the Service.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

1

12

6

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

1

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

10

0

0

Protecting

Contact has been made with the EHDC housing committee to discuss mobile home sites within Hampshire.

Ongoing inspection and enforcement activity.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

6

66

11

2

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

11

97

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

46

27

37

Protecting

East Groups Fareham based inspectors have been consulting on a number of projects.

The Market Quay Development at Fareham Town Centre is reaching its conclusion during the last quarter. With businesses starting to occupy and open. This has been a partnership with the approved inspectors and construction company, Corrilion

We have been working with the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) both at Whiteley and at Swanwick.

The HQ and Technical Support offices have been a partnership between HFRS, approved inspector and the local authority building control.

There has been pre application consultations with Fareham Borough Council, the contractors and HFRS on the proposed second Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick.

Responding

25 September 2004: Crews from Portchester, Cosham and Copnor were mobilised to a fire involving an acetylene cylinder in Myrtle Avenue, Portchester, the first pump arriving in 7 minutes. A 50 metre exclusion zone was set up initially and this was subsequently extended to 200 metres. Numerous properties were evacuated and the Hampshire County Council arranged for a rest centre to be set up for the residents in Portchester Community Centre. The incident commenced at 0452 hours and the cylinder was cooled for most of the day with the residents returning to their homes later that evening. Once again it highlighted the problems of dealing with acetylene cylinder fires in residential areas.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

11

220

55

39

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

12

128

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

648

610

1027

Protecting

Partnership with the Environmental Health Department of Portsmouth City Council has resulted in 37 joint inspections of Houses in Multiple Occupation over that period. This has resulted in prohibition notices being served on 6 premises in the quarter (8 for the year).

Following a fire related death at Norfolk Crescent, the Seafront, Hayling Island, East Group have embarked on a partnership with the Environmental Health Department of Havant Borough Council, the owners of the properties in Norfolk Crescent (a mixture of Section 72 Flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation) and the National Sprinkler Association along with Nimbus Fire Systems to explore all available opportunities to install sprinklers in the premises. Initial meetings have now taken place with all interested parties.

The partnerships with the local authority Building Control and the contractors for pre Building Regulations Application consultation for the Spinnaker Tower and the Queen Alexandra Hospital development has enabled the Group to negotiate for additional fire safety features such as sprinklers where the risk can be reduced by its introduction.

The new Portsmouth Football Club Stadium is another major project that East Group are involved in through the Safety Advisory Group. This partnership also includes the Football Licensing authority.

East Group is now embarking on a Partnership with the Portsmouth Naval Base as part of the Risk Management Planning of a major risk in the county.

Responding

29 August 2004: 4 pumps from Southsea, Copnor, Cosham, Copnor Special Equipment Unit and Aerial Ladder Platform from Redbridge dealt with a fire involving the balcony of Flat 52, St James Court, 17 Western Parade, Southsea. The fire had spread to the ceiling joists of Flat 42. 1 hosereel, Breathing Apparatus and cutting away where used to extinguish.

6 September 2004: A 1st floor bedroom of 61 Westfield Road, Southsea, was severely damaged by fire. Using 1 jet, 3 hosereels, Positive Pressure Ventilation and 14 Breathing Apparatus to extinguish, 5 pumps from Southsea, Copnor, Cosham, Waterlooville and Copnor Special Equipment Unit attended .

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

3

12

5

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

129

105

184

Protecting

Barton Farm Community development - Pre application consultations aiming to include domestic sprinklers and enhanced level of smoke detection.

Service Level Agreement with the Station Manager of Station 30 for unwanted fire alarm signals.

Ongoing inspection and enforcement activity.

Responding

9 October 2004: The Service were called to assist the RSPCA when a Jack Russell chasing a rabbit had become trapped in a large pile of tree stumps, roots and rubbish being prepared by contractors for a bonfire. The pile was the size of a house and estimated to contain in excess of 20 tonnes of rubbish. A crew from Bishops Waltham attended initially but quickly realised that further resources would be required to release the dog. Fortunately the HFRS Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team were exercising that day and when informed of the incident identified it as an ideal training exercise. The Team were mobilised and started to remove the rubbish, shoring it up to keep it safe as they searched for the animal. After many hours no sound could be heard from the dog and in the evening the search was called off assuming the animal had perished. However the next day faint whimpering sounds were heard and the pump and the Search and Rescue team attended again and after several hours managed to locate and release the dog and return it to the grateful owner. Whilst this was an unusual mobilisation for the USAR team it proved to be an ideal opportunity to practice their skills and use some of the extensive range of equipment they carry.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

8

62

18

8

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

3

15

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

65

18

27

Protecting

Commencement of joint working on licensed premises within Andover.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

16

161

41

14

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

16

163

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

124

125

190

Protecting

The integrated approach to risk reduction in West Quay Shopping Centre is ongoing.

A partnership approach with Southampton Environmental Health Service is progressing, with the aim of joint inspections of commercial premises in the lead up to Christmas. This will produce publicity in the areas press and trade publications, with the intention of reducing the risk from overstocking and blocking of fire escape routes.

The development of an integrated approach to risk reduction in Southampton University and General Hospital is ongoing. This involves TFS, Response and the occupiers with the intention of reducing the risk from fire plus dealing with Unwanted AFAs, hoax calls and the potential for arson.

West Group has been consulted over the proposed major redevelopment of the Vosper Thorneycroft site in Woolston, our comments have been incorporated within the Scoping Consultation Report which produced the Woolston Riverside Planning Brief.

Responding

2 September 2004: A severe fire in 2nd floor flat at 21 Burlington Mansion, Shirley Road, Southampton, was attended by 3 pumps from Redbridge and St Marys plus the Aerial Ladder Platform from Redbridge. The fire was brought under control using 2 hosereels, 6 Breathing Apparatus, Positive Pressure Ventilation and Aerial Ladder Platform.

22 September 2004: The Service were called to assist the Police and Army Bomb Disposal at Orchard Homes Building site in Regents Park Road, Southampton. The first appliance of the hazmat response arrived within 4 minutes. During the development work a large number of what were believed to be First and Second World War munitions were unearthed. A 400 metre exclusion zone was set up and several adjacent premises were evacuated. The site was a former vicarage that was used by the Home Guard and it is believed that the munitions included Phosgene, Mustard Gas, Nerve Agents and Livens bombs. A total of 1,624 devices were subsequently rendered safe and removed and the Service stood by for long periods on 22 and 23 September during this operation.

23 October 2004: Fire Control were notified of a container vessel, the NYK Argus which had suffered a fire in a hold. The vessel was en route from Japan, Singapore with various stops in the Mediterranean onto Southampton prior to its final destination in Rotterdam. The container carrier is one of the largest in the world carrying 6,500 containers. It was reported that the fire had broken out in No 3 hold which had been flooded with Carbon Dioxide after stopping all ventilation. They had then flooded the hold with sea water to a depth of 3 to 4 metres and carried out boundary cooling. It was reported to Control that the fire was believed to be out but they required permission to berth at Southampton. The harbourmaster was obviously concerned about allowing it to enter the port until it had been confirmed that the fire was actually out. Well tried and tested procedures were put into operation to fly Fire Officers together with Insurance Assessors, Salvage and Legal experts to the scene by Coastguard helicopter. This was carried out on the Saturday and readings from thermal imaging cameras indicated that there was no external residual heat. Based on this and a full assessment by the above team, the vessel was subsequently allowed to enter the Dock area. It was an excellent opportunity to further test our existing helicopter arrangements with the Coastguard and liaison between the Fire and Rescue Service and marine experts.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

3

21

9

2

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

2

25

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

22

0

0

Protecting

The integrated approach to risk reduction in this area has commenced for the following premises:

Breamore House, Near Fordingbridge: This initiative involves the occupier, Fire Safety Inspectors, (Protection) and Response working together with other relevant agencies to reduce all aspects of risk within this historic building.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

5

53

12

4

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

1

1

1

Protecting

The integrated approach to risk reduction planning is ongoing, with liaison between Protection and all Response Groups in the West Group area. Initial efforts have been focussed towards the very high risk sites along the Waterside in New Forest South area. This will involve the occupiers, HSE, Response and TFS.

An approach by NFDC Listed Buildings department is being actioned, with the view to attending training sessions and development of a partnership approach to deal with heritage stock within the area.

Responding

7 September 2004: 4 pumps from Hardley, Hythe, Beaulieu, Redbridge, 1 Watercarrier from Lyndhurst and a Landrover from Hardley attended a Fire at The Old Mill Inn, Lime Kiln Lane, Holbury. The fire involved 1st floor accommodation and was extinguished using 4 hosereels and 8 Breathing Apparatus.