Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 9

1 June 2005

Activity Report

Report of the Chief Officer

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

1

Responding

1.1

Despite a number of significant fires across the County since the last report it is encouraging to note that the Service has attended fewer fires than the previous year. This downward trend must be attributed to the continued commitment to Prevention and Protection activities.

1.2

Group Managers are forming productive partnerships that are actively engaging the community to identify ways of reducing arson and accidental fires. The partnership between the Portsmouth and Havant Group with the Community Wardens in Portsmouth is proving to be extremely effective at removing rubbish and abandoned vehicles from the streets all of which are potential targets for arson. This scheme is being adopted by other Group Managers where Community Warden schemes are operating.

1.3

The Popley Fields Community Centre (PFCC) project is now underway in the Basingstoke area. Strong community relationships are now being forged between the Crews and the residents in the Popley area. The co-operation that HFRS has received from the management and users of PFCC is proving to be a major contributor to the ongoing development of this trial. It is still too early to see any tangible results however our expectations for the project remain high.

2

Preventing

2.1

Summary of the Fire Challenge Crew (Schools Education) (January to April 2005 - Spring Term)

Number of children visited:

Key Stage 1 = 4582

Key Stage 2 = 4744

Key Stage 3 = 6582

Key Stage 1: Having completed the first 2 terms of this current academic year, we have achieved 60% of our annual target.

Key Stage 2: Having completed the first 2 terms of this current academic year, we have achieved 62% of our annual target.

Key Stage 3: Having completed the first 2 terms of this current academic year, we have achieved 84% of our annual target.

2.2

Summary of Campaign Activity (1 January 2005 to 31 March 2005) - National and Hampshire Wide Safety Campaigns

2.2.1

Smoke Alarm Maintenance Campaign

National campaign: January to February 2005.

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.

2.2.2

Smoking Materials Campaign

National campaign: 1 March 2005 to 31 March 2005.

Aim: To remind people of the dangers of careless smoking and storage of smoking materials; aimed at risk groups.

Summary of activities: National media coverage in selected consumer publications and TV magazines. National TV commercials and local commercial radio advertisements. 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

Kitchen Fire Safety Campaign

National campaign: 16 April to 28 May 2005.

Aim: To reduce the number of preventable accidents, injuries and fires attributed to careless food preparation and cooking, as well as the misuse of cooking equipment.

Summary of activities: National press and media campaign. Multi agency press and media campaign within Hampshire. Area CFS teams supported by SHQ staff attending various displays and events.

Delivery partners: CFS Department, HFRS Marketing and Media Department, Gunwharf Quay Portsmouth, West Quay Southampton, Brooks Centre Winchester, Portsmouth University, Southampton University, all Hampshire libraries, all community centres within Basingstoke and Deane area, Hythe and Totton childminders groups, Hampshire Association of Childminders, various elderly groups within Hedge End and Bursledon.

2.2.4

Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSCs)

We have revised our HFSC strategy as part of our aim to greatly increase the number of responses to referrals and the number of smoke alarms fitted. Pilots involving our retained fire stations will commence on 1 February 2005 and other schemes will be trialled over the coming months.

Total number of checks since April 2004 (1 4 04 to 31 3 05):

8882

Total number of checks since last report (9 2 05 to 4 5 05):

2593

Total number of smoke alarms fitted since April 2004 (1 4 04 to 31 3 05):

22435

Total number of smoke alarms fitted since last report (9 2 05 - 4 5 05):

6655

3

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:

5

43

8

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

3

17

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

104

226

158

Protecting

Several enforcement notices have been issued during the quarter relating to contraventions under the Workplace Regulations including means of escape, premises management and risk assessment matters. We have been working with owners to improve management and fire prevention policies.

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:

7

128

16

1

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

4

76

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

261

402

412

Protecting

No significant 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:

8

112

35

13

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

0

0

0

Protecting

On the 1 February the reorganisation of the TFS function was completed when the Group boundaries were aligned to the council boundaries. Previously consultation and enforcement was shared between North Group and East Group. Now all consultation and enforcement activities for the East Hants District Council area are undertaken by East Group. This simplifies and improves our service to the various Council departments we work with.

Responding

13 February 2005: Crews from Petersfield were mobilised to a severe fire in a house within a terrace of 20 houses in Osborne Road, Petersfield. Pumps were quickly made up to 4 and then to 6 with numerous special appliances requested. The fire spread to a second house within the terrace and 4 jets, 2 hosereels and 26 breathing apparatus were used during firefighting operations. Damage was caused to the roof and first floor of one house and to the roof of the adjacent property.

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

218

66

16

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

11

89

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

544

533

806

Protecting

When a Gosport resident fitted a domestic sprinkler system to compensate for the removal of fire doors and partitions in his three storey town house, the Portsmouth Evening News was invited to do an article on the benefits of these systems. During discussions with the owner it emerged that other home owners in the same area may have undertaken similar alterations without consulting the regulating body. The opportunity was taken to write to all residents to advise them of the dangers of removing passive fire safety measure. A copy of The News article of the 12 April pointing out the benefits of domestic sprinklers was enclosed.

The two Council owned family refuge units in Trinity Green had been suffering from a spate of false alarms due to incorrect fire detectors in the bed sits. Each unit has about 15 bed sits for single parent and homeless families and persistent false alarms was resulting in the fire alarm being ignored and even disabled by the residents. Following discussions with the Council, smoke detectors in the bed sits were replaced by heat detectors, each bed sit was also provided with a single point smoke detector. The advantage of this arrangement is that the main fire alarm is only sounded when heat from a fire activates the system, the single point smoke detectors gives early warning to the room occupants. In this way false alarms due to cooking, smoking etc is confined to the room of origin. Since January when the changes took place I have had no reports of unwanted AFA's to these premises.

Responding

15 February 2005: Portchester and Cosham crews mobilised to a fire with persons reported located the body of a female in the bedroom of a property in Northfield Park, Upper Cornaway Lane in Portchester. The fire was brought under control using 1 hosereel and 2 breathing apparatus.

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:

26

689

98

6

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

11

140

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

910

2165

2530

Protecting

Discussions between HFRS, Building Control and architects has resulted in a sprinkler system being provided in a City school. The new school in Locksway Road, Milton, is designed for special needs children and it was felt that self closing fire doors would hinder free movement of wheelchair dependent pupils. Consequently, the sprinkler system is being provided as a `trade off' for traditional fire safety measures.

Planning is underway for an evacuation exercise at Spinnaker Tower before it is opened to the public. It is hoped to attract approximately 250 people drawn from off duty fire service personnel, their families and council employees to take part in the exercise. The aim will be to test the management evacuation strategy and the HFRS Operational Plan.

Under the Partnership Agreement with the Community Housing Department, two Prohibition Notices restricting the use of Houses in Multiple Occupation have been issued in this period.

Responding

27 January 2005: Pumps from Hayling Island attended a serious house fire in Station Road at Hayling Island. Pumps were made up to 4 when persons were reported to be trapped inside the building. The fire involved the first floor and roof and was brought under control using 1 jet, 2 hosereels and 8 breathing apparatus. Positive pressure ventilation was also used to clear smoke from the building. One person was rescued by HFRS and 2 children were rescued by a member of the public before our arrival.

11 April 2005: Control received more than 40 calls reporting an explosion and fire at Nickleby House, All Saints Road in Portsmouth. Reports indicated a severe fire in a flat in a high rise building with numerous telephone calls received from concerned residents in other flats within the building. The first crews in attendance quickly made pumps up to 6 and then to 8 when confronted with a very serious fire. Four people were led to safety from the 17^th floor, one suffered serious burns, another a heart attack and the 2 others were uninjured. The fire was contained using 1 jet, 4 breathing apparatus and positive pressure ventilation to remove the smoke.

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:

7

71

14

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

1

30

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

276

397

763

Protecting

Section 10 Prohibition notice has been issued on House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the Winnal area. Prohibition of Ground floor bedroom and restriction on the use of a kitchen that opened onto the staircase enclosure due to lack of fire separation and lack of smoke detection. This inspection was conducted as a result of our formal Partnership Agreement with Winchester City Council Environmental Health to inspect HMO premises

Liaison has be established with Winchester building control as an initial contact regarding a major housing development at Oak Park Farm, Waterlooville. Issues being considered include sprinkler protection, smoke protection arson strategies and site strategies.

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:

9

128

43

18

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

2

38

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

493

815

778

Protecting

Several enforcement notices have been issued during the quarter relating to contraventions under the Workplace Regulations including means of escape, premises management and risk assessment matters. We have been working with owners to improve management and fire prevention policies

One of our Inspectors has been released from statutory inspection work to focus on risk management plans for North Group Technical Fire Safety as detailed in the IRMP.

Office staff and accommodation have been relocated in line with the reorganisation with Group Boundaries being aligned to council boundaries, simplifying and improving our services with the departments we work with.

HFRS representation on the Safety Advisory Group for the Hampshire Cricket Club `Rose Bowl' continues to provide fire advice, currently with specific reference to the forthcoming `Oasis' pop concert in July.

We continue to be represented on Eastleigh Borough Council SAG.

Early discussions have commenced between HFRS and the Swan Shopping

Centre management regarding development of a Multiplex Cinema, Hotel and Leisure Complex on the site at Eastleigh.

Responding

31 January 2005: A severe fire in Piping Green, Colden Common, in the early hours of the morning attracted 4 pumps. The crews were confronted with a severe fire on the first floor and roof and this was extinguished using 1 jet, 1 hosereel and 12 breathing apparatus. The body of the deceased elderly female occupant was located in the premises.

20 February 2005: A fire involving a range of farm buildings in Winchester Road at Fair Oak quickly spread and required the attendance of 6 pumps and numerous special appliances. The buildings consisted of a barn containing 350 bales of hay and straw, 2 stables, 4 sheds and 3 horse boxes. Fortunately crews were able to stop the fire spreading to a large diesel tank and extinguished it using 4 jets and 4 hosereels.

25 April 2005: Crews from Andover and Whitchurch were mobilised to a fire with persons trapped inside the building at Venice Court, Roman Way, Andover. An extremely traumatic call was received from the occupier of the premises who explained that she was trapped by the smoke and fire together with her 4 children in a bedroom. The control room operator did an excellent job offering fire survival guidance and advice to the caller to ensure their safety until crews arrived and effected their rescue. The end of terrace house consisted of 3 floors above a garage and the fire involved the hallway and stairs with extensive smoke damage to all floors. The fire was brought under control using 1 jet, 2 hosereels and 4 breathing apparatus. Four persons were rescued from the building down ladders and one down the stairs all suffering smoke inhalation and one with burns to his feet. The mother spent a number of days in intensive care but I am pleased to report that they are all now making a good recovery. Police and Fire Investigation Officers carried out a full investigation into this arson incident

4 May 2005: The largest fire during this reporting period occurred at the Poplar Farm Inn in Old Salisbury Road, Little Ann near Andover. Pumps were quickly made up to 10 for fire fighting and then to 15 with the additional 5 pumps requested for salvage work. The thatched roof of the 25 by 25 metres public house was well alight and crews immediately set about making two fire breaks to limit the fire spread. Within two and a half hours all of the contents had been salvaged and within 4 hours a stop message had been sent. Fire was restricted to 10% of the thatched roof, 20% was removed create the fire breaks and a further 20% of the building was damaged by smoke and water with 100% of the contents being salvaged. Five hosereels, 1 jet and 44 breathing apparatus were used to bring the fire under control in what was an extremely successful firefighting and salvage operation.

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:

23

329

57

17

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

13

79

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

832

1372

1458

Protecting

We continue to provide technical fire safety input to Southampton Football Club SAG in respect of the `Elton John' concert in May, where an audience in excess of 30,000 is expected. This is in partnership with Operations Function input for both events and match days.

Production of Risk Management Plans, for previously identified high risk premises, are well underway.

HFRS contribution to the Southampton Licensing Consultative Group has strengthened, through regular representation at monthly meetings we have been able to assist in the smooth transition to the Licensing Act 2003.

Regular seminars are delivered to the business community in Southampton offering advice on fire legislation and the HFRS audit inspection process. In addition West Group officers will shortly deliver two specific seminars, one to managers from the Jury Hotel Group prior to the opening of their new hotel in Southampton and the other to approximately 40 senior management delegates from the John Lewis Partnership.

Responding

10 March 2005: Crews from Hightown and St Marys were mobilised to a fire in the living room of a flat in Tatwin Crescent, Lordshill, Southampton. Four casualties were rescued from the flat and the fire was extinguished using 2 hosereels and 6 breathing apparatus. A 30 year old male died in hospital 4 days later from his injuries.

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

79

21

0

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

1

20

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

166

78

163

Protecting

Initial identification of high risk premises within the New Forest has been completed. Most identified premises are currently controlled by compliance with legislation such as the COMAH regulations. Premises Risk Management Plans will be commenced in due course based upon a priority system.

The new three storey Lymington Hospital is progressing and close partnership working is being maintained between HFRS, the design team, the PFI members and the Health Authority. Initial approval of premises design, and access is agreed and discussions continue in regard of the hospital fire strategy.

A new power station is planned for Marchwood. A preliminary site meeting with the design team has confirmed water supplies and design codes. It will be constructed adjacent to the existing smaller station and will consist of two gas and one steam turbine. Energy will be fed into the National Electricity Grid.

Responding

18 February 2005: Crews called to a car fire at the Rufus Stone Car Park, Upper Canterton, near Lyndhurst located the body of a deceased male person in the burning vehicle.

26 February 2005: Control received numerous calls to a large fire at Gidding Saw Mill in Ringwood Road, Netley Marsh. Pumps were quickly made up to 5 and then to 8 with 3 water carriers and an aerial ladder platform also requested. The fire was controlled using 8 jets from hydrants supplemented by a water shuttle utilising the water carriers. A nearby electricity sub station and diesel tank were also protected from radiated heat. The 90 by 50 metre building of steel frame and timber construction suffered severe fire damage and collapse and the fire being brought under control using water from 10 jets.

6 March 2005: A total of 23 emergency calls were received in Control to a fire in Salisbury Road in Blashford near Ringwood. The callers reported copious amounts of black smoke generated by the fire involving tyres. Reports also indicated that a waste oil tank and acetylene cylinders were involved. Fortunately despite the oil tank rupturing, a large amount of the waste oil was contained within interceptors and did not become involved in fire and the acetylene cylinders were also not involved. The stop message indicated that a large quantity of tyres and some waste oil were destroyed together with 2 x 6 by 3 metre containers each housing one car. Four water monitors and 8 breathing apparatus were used to bring the fire under control. The Environment Agency were called in to deal with the environmental implications of the waste oil at the incident.

15 April 2005: A thatched roof fire in Romsey Road at Lyndhurst necessitated mobilisation of 10 pumps and numerous special appliances. The roof of the 11 by 13 metre, 2 storey building was well alight when crews arrived. Water jets were initially deployed and crews quickly commenced salvaging the contents of the property and cutting away the thatch. The roof and 5% of the first floor were severely damaged by the fire which was extinguished using 3 jets, 2 hosereels and 45 breathing apparatus.

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:

7

109

26

5

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

0

0

0

Protecting

Please refer to New Forest North narrative as both are covered from one TFS office in Lyndhurst.

Responding

20 April 2005: A further thatched roof fire at Lisle Court Road, Walhampton near Lymington required 5 pumps and was extinguished using 2 jets, 4 hosereels, 10 breathing apparatus and cutting away. The single storey 10 by 3 metre building suffered 50% fire damage to the roof and 10% to the ground floor.

4

Key Performance Indicators - Overview

The following list denotes the HFRS performance for our key performance indicators for 2003/04 and 2004/05. The former compares HFRS performance against the top 20% performance of all Fire and Rescue Services for 2003/04. The latter compares our performance against HFRS targets (comparative data for all Fire and Rescue Services for 2004/05 is not yet available).

PI

Description

Function Head

2003/04 Out-turn

2003/04 Top 20% mark

Achieved/ Not Achieved

2004/05 Out-turn

2004/05 Target

Achieved/ Not Achieved

Best Value Performance Indicators

2b

The duty to promote race equality (expressed as a %)

Jenny McNeill

No Data

74%

100%

x

12i

Working days/ shifts lost to sickness absence - Wholetime Uniformed Staff

Jenny McNeill

8.2

8.52

ü

8.7

7.5

x

12ii

Working days/ shifts lost to sickness absence - All Staff

Jenny McNeill

9.7

9.42

x

9.6

7.5

x

142iii

Calls to accidental fires in dwellings per 10,000 dwellings

Mark Rayner

15.00

13.99

x

13.64

14.18

ü

143i

Deaths from accidental dwelling fires per 100,000 population (Government set target reduction)

Mark Rayner

0.48

0.27

x

0.30

0.47

ü

143ii

Injuries from accidental dwelling fires per 100,000 population

Mark Rayner

10.89

5.94

x

8.31

10.52

ü

149

False alarms from auto fire detection equip per 1,000 non domestic properties

Charlie House

143.79

106.08

x

141.43

128.04

x

206

Deliberate fires per 10,000 population

Mark Rayner

50.39

No Data

31.86

44.69

ü

Local Performance Indicators

1

Number of Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSC's) conducted

Mark Rayner

2847

7916

2000

ü

2

% of HFSC (home fire safety checks) agency referrals carried out within 28 days.

Mark Rayner

79.0%

70.4%

80%

x

20

Speed of Response (80% in 8 mins)

Kevin Butcher

74.71%

73.98%

80%

x

The existing BV149 has been divided into 3 indicators from April 2005: i) False alarms caused by automatic fire detection per 1,000 non-domestic properties (as per BV149 above), ii) The number of those properties recorded in 149i with more than 1 attendance and iii) % of calls recorded in 149i which are to a property with more than 1 attendance. Only BV149i will be reported to the Performance Review Committee.

The existing BV206 has been divided into 4 sub-indicators from April 2005: i) deliberate primary fires (excluding vehicles); ii) deliberate primary fires in vehicles; iii) deliberate secondary fires (excluding vehicles); and iv) deliberate secondary fires in vehicles - BV206i, ii and iii will be reported to the Performance Review Committee.

The following indicators commenced April 2005 and will be reported at the end of the first quarter:

BV209iii - The % of fires attended in dwellings where no smoke alarm was fitted
BV210 - The % of women firefighter