Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 9

31 May 2006

Activity Report

Report of the Chief Officer

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

1

Responding

1.1

Once again the report details the loss of 4 lives due to accidental fires. These preventable tragedies underline the importance of continuing our drive to prevent fires from happening by targeting our resources to those people in our communities who are most at risk. In one of the fires no smoke detectors were fitted and in another it is unclear if it operated. What is certain is that it failed to raise the alarm and this reinforces the need for home fire safety visits to ensure that not only is smoke detection provided but that it is correctly positioned and forms part of an overall escape plan. Details of the incidents are provided in the body of this report.

1.2

We have seen a slight rise in the total number of `Primary' fires that we attended in 2005/2006. Even though this rise is very small it is disappointing and strengthens our resolve to reduce fires through the Prevention and Protection activities outlined in the IRMP. On a more positive note we have seen a significant reduction in the number of `Secondary' fires that the Service has attended over the same period. This is directly related to the ongoing initiatives that have been developed as part of the IRMP process. The other main area of work is in relation to Road Traffic Collisions (RTC). RTCs continue to have a significant impact on the Service as well as inflicting death and injury on the people involved. The IRMP has outlined proposals to try and reduce these types of incidents in the future. This will involve working closely with other partners in this important area.

1.3

Another item of new equipment that has been provided as part of the national resilience programme is now operational and available from Hardley Fire Station. The High Volume Pumping Unit (HVPU) is designed to move large quantities of water over long distances. The crewing for this specialist appliance utilises volunteers from Hardley and Hythe. These personnel have undergone extensive training to provide this highly specialist response. Its use covers a range of scenarios from large area flooding to providing water supplies for firefighting at large incidents. HVPUs recently provided the water supplies at the Buncefield oil storage depot fire in Hertfordshire. The HVPU provides not only a new capability for HFRS but it is an integral part of the regional and national resilience programme.

2

Preventing

2.1

In the last quarter the Community Safety Department has restructured to gain greater efficiencies in the areas of education and youth engagement, and to improve on the level of support that can be given to Group Manager's to deliver Home Fire Safety Visits and other local initiatives.

2.2

Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) and Group Support

The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) scheme in Portsmouth was completed in this quarter. This the end of a 3 year project in which Central Government and HFRS funding was used to deliver over 3310 HFSVs in identified areas of deprivation. During the scheme over 9000 smoke detectors were fitted in individual homes.

Considerable work has been carried out to build sustainable partnerships to source referrals for HFSVs in higher risk or more vulnerable homes. This has included securing a partnership with the Primary Care Trust for Basingstoke and others with Sensory Services Teams. These teams have access to communities such as those with visual or hearing impairments.

It is the intention of the Service to improve on the delivery of HFSVs in more rural areas by using the Retained Duty System employees to carry them out. The first stage of this is planned to take place in July/ August this year. In this first quarter a training programme for all RDS employees to carry out HFSVs has been completed and resources have been put in place to allow delivery to commence in the summer. Trials for this "roll out" are progressing in Bishops Waltham, the Waterside area and Portchester.

There are now preferred suppliers that are used on a constant and regular basis for the ordering of operational equipment with regards to HFSV.

2.3

Campaigns

The universal campaigns covering this period were aimed at smoke alarm testing and maintenance, and devising and practising escape plans.

Advantage was taken of National Chip week to promote kitchen safety in February, and No Smoking day to raise awareness of the dangers posed by smoking materials and the careless disposal of them in March.

Focused campaigns aimed at raising the awareness of ethnic minority and religious celebrations and the safety hazards posed by them has continued with the Chinese New Year celebrations in January, the Chinese lantern festival in February and Eid Al Adha in January.

2.4

Group Support Team

One member of the Group Support team is currently working with the Group Manager at Eastleigh to progress plans to train and deploy volunteers to carry out HFSV in that Group.

Preparatory work is being carried out to partner with other agencies under the `Strategic Casualty Reduction' partnership to put together a `Safe Drive, Stay Alive' campaign across Hampshire. This is an interactive theatre production to raise Road Safety issues with 16-25 year olds, who are the group most at risk of being killed or seriously injured on the roads.

2.5

Schools Education

The Schools Education Team are on target to achieve their goals by the end of this current academic year. That is both in line with our LPI's for Fire Safety and Burn Prevention Education and developing a Road Safety Programme for Key Stage 1.

The theatre tour of  the play `Arson About' in our secondary schools across the county was a hit with both pupils and teaching staff.

We are also piloting a Water Safety initiative in June and July called `Think B4 U Jump' in the Redbridge area.

2.6

Arson Reduction

New appointment of a Youth Engagement Development Manager - responsible for the growth, expansion, and rejuvenation of all YE initiatives currently undertaken within HFRS. A project to replace the ailing Fire setters Intervention Scheme was undertaken and is in the closing phase. Costings are now being prepared prior to submission to the Senior Management Team.

Work has commenced in order to create a comprehensive Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) for use within the HFRS YE arena. The strategy will provide essential direction and guidance in relation to Youth Engagement in accordance with both the ODPM Strategy for Children and Young Persons 2006-2010 and other relevant Legislative requirements.

HFRS have received funding to establish an Arson Task Force incorporating the following:

Seconded WMB Post (Dog Handler)

Seconded Detective Inspector (Hants Constabulary)

Hydro-Carbon Detecting Dog

This Team will work closely with the HFRS Fire Investigation Team and other Key Stakeholder Agencies in order to combat, and ultimately impact upon the currently high numbers of arson related incidents.

Fire Investigation has also been subjected to a 'systems overhaul' in order to bolster and improve upon the Services current levels and procedures appertaining to Post Incident Investigative protocols. FI Training has also been upgraded with Senior Members of the FI Team now undertaking and attaining the recognised APCIP (Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice) qualification. FI has also become more widely recognised throughout the Service with a 1 Day Theory and Practical Training Module now forming a major part of the new CMMI (Crew Managers) courses. Additional equipment and resources have also been purchased in order to bolster the Teams ever-increasing professionalism and status within the field of Investigative Practice.

Work has been undertaken to improve upon the existing levels of both internal, and inter-agency 'Data Sharing' protocols. GM Quinn/TSM Tasker have been working closely with Personnel from the Risk Intelligence and Performance Review Departments in order to create/develop a robust and reliable 'Exchange of Information' Network for use within HFRS. The forthcoming secondment of a Police Analyst should ultimately support this vision of 'Inter-Agency' cross-networking and sharing of information.

2.7

Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) 2

HFRS has been successfully secured targets in the latest Local Public Service Agreements with Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council for the reduction of deliberate fires. The agreements require the achievement of `stretch targets', over and above the Government set targets, and will focus resources to help to improve our communities. Successful achievement of the targets will see a reduction in the number of deliberate fires, an increase in prosecutions for arson and will result in HFRS receiving reward grant from HCC and PCC as part of the agreement.

To help achieve the targets `pump priming' funding has been secured for both agreements. In Portsmouth we are receiving funding for a dedicated Community Warden to work directly with the service. This will provide resources to increase the number of environmental audits in Portsmouth, remove waste before it becomes a target for arson, identify unsecured premises that require improved security and to liase between the fire service and the local authority.

Pump priming funding from HCC is being used to establish an Arson Task Force (ATF). The ATF will be a joint fire/police group that works with city, borough and district councils to reduce arson. It will develop strategies to support and compliment the work already being carried out by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Group managers and police BCU Commanders within Tactical Arson Reduction Teams across the county. The Task Force will provide the common link between all multi agency arson reduction activity and will focus on reducing deliberate fires, vandalism and anti social behaviour through prevention, education and investigation/detection.

The pump prime funding for the Arson Task Force is for one year only. We will seek to secure funding from the borough, district and city councils to establish the Arson Task Force in the county for future years.

3

Protecting

3.1

This reporting period has seen the continued positive use of formal enforcement action on a significant number of occasions to reduce serious life risk situations to tolerable levels. A total of 18 enforcement notices were issued as well as 4 prohibition notices. Of these cases 2 have resulted in preparatory work for legal action. The positive use of our legal powers where appropriate illustrates our determination to address unacceptable risks and the prohibition notice detailed in the Andover Group in this report highlights the way in which a successful outcome can be achieved in a short timescale.

3.2

We have recently formally signed a partnership agreement with The National Trust that will enable HFRS to take a leading role in the protection of Heritage sites throughout the County. This work is closely tied to our HCC partnership which is now also extended to include representation from the County Heritage and Culture department. We aim to complete a similar formal arrangement with English Heritage and become an example of best practice for heritage protection issues.

3.3

Two other important initiatives have also recently commenced, our Business Education Team began initial activities in January and are now fully operational focussed on reducing unwanted fire alarm calls from automatic systems. They provide advice, guidance and training to our worst offenders. We have also recently entered into a period of consultation through our outreach workers with target groups in the community who may have difficulty in achieving compliance with fire safety standards. We have devised positive action initiatives that will allow the positioning of "risk assessment advocates" in representative groups that may otherwise not engage with our mainstream publicity and education activities.

4

Group Activity

Note 1 - The Community Support Team visit the scene of domestic property fires following an incident. They provide advice and guidance to the affected household and visit surrounding properties to offer Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSV) if requested

Note 2 - Retained Duty System (RDS) stations are equipped to carry out HFSV's following an incident. Later this year we commence the programme to enable all RDS stations to carry out pre-planned HFSV's in their communities. This will role out over the next 3 years.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

17

8

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

239

540

Protecting

A pre consultation meeting has occurred to discuss a proposed development involving a complicated basement style building containing 3 anechoic chambers (similar to that which became a serious fire for this authority in the Rushmoor area in 2005). The meeting focused on the requirement for smoke control and fire suppression systems to provide a satisfactory means of escape for the occupiers and taking into account water shortage issues in the Kingsclere area, which would slow any firefighting intervention.

Two prohibition notices have been issued on a hotel and a restaurant during this reporting period. Both have now been put forward to be considered for prosecution.

Responding

27 February 2006: Numerous emergency calls were received to a house fire at Waterlily Close in Basingstoke. The first appliance in attendance quickly made pumps up to 5 and requested an aerial ladder platform. The traditionally constructed property suffered severe damage to the roof with water damage to ground and first floors. The fire was extinguished using 2 jets, 2 hosereels, an aerial ladder platform monitor and 18 BA. There was some smoke damage to the adjoining property.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

14

4

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

124

270

Protecting

Pre event consultation with the event organisers and other agencies for the Farnborough International Airshow, in the summer of 2006, continue with the aim of reducing the risk of arson, ensuring legal enforcement, reducing unwanted fire alarm signals and increasing public safety.

A local informal partnership agreement has been developed between the Rushmoor office and Hart district council Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to inspect high risk Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) using agreed inspection protocols, work has also been conducted with Rushmoor district council EHOs to target high risk HMOs.

Initial discussions have been held with architects on the development of Hartland Park, Fleet including plans for the largest operating warehouse in Europe, no firm proposals have yet been submitted by the developers but sprinklers will be vigorously promoted by HFRS.

Ongoing pre-consultation meetings have been held with architects for the Westgate development which will include 439 dwellings, a hotel, restaurant, retail facilities and the Health Centre indicated in the previous report. Formal consultation is expected to take place in the next reporting period.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

11

15

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

84

209

Protecting

No significant activity.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

16

1

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

165

204

Protecting

No significant activity.

Responding

18 March 2006: Crews mobilised to a fire in a first floor flat at St Vincents Road, Gosport, used 4 hosereels and 4 BA to contain the fire. They located the body of a female aged approximately 50 in the flat, the cause of her death is under investigation.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

37

25

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

658

1609

Protecting

A team from our East Group offices has commenced the initial work in a Countywide initiative to engage with minority groups and implement positive action to facilitate compliance with fire safety standards. Four target groups have been identified and initial consultations using our outreach worker are ongoing.

Responding

10 April 2006: A small fire in the living room of a property in Salisbury Road, Southsea, was quickly extinguished and the body of a deceased male aged approximately 50 years was recovered by fire crews. A full fire investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the Police.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

9

5

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

163

411

Protecting

Due to restricted access (in accordance with the Building Regulations Approved Document B) to a proposed housing development in Wickham, domestic sprinklers have been accepted as a compensatory feature by the architects. This is an example HFRS staff facilitating practical trade offs between the accepted building standards and practical issues facing developers, while ensuring public safety and reducing risk in the community.

Responding

12 March 2006: A fire in a house with a thatched roof at Corhampton initially attended with 4 pumps required make ups to 6 and eventually to 8 pumps. The building of 2 floors, 13 metres by 13 metres suffered 100% damage to the thatched roof and roof space but the internal furnishings and property were fully recovered by HFRS crews. During a protracted firefighting operation 2 jets, 6 hosereels and 52 breathing apparatus were used to bring the fire under control.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

16

38

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

460

891

Protecting

Site meetings have been held with architects regarding the conversion of old Ministry of Defence ammunition bulk storage bunkers to a secure storage facility. A Fire Engineered solution incorporating sprinklers has been agreed at this early stage.

Consultation has also taken place regarding a large capacity single story building in Nursling which will utilise sprinklers and smoke control in accordance with the Hampshire Act and the Building Regulations.

Consultation has commenced regarding the development of an extension to the Swan Shopping Centre in Eastleigh.

Five enforcement notices have been served on premises within Eastleigh and a prohibition notice was issued on a restaurant in the Andover area preventing the use of the first floor until a suitable and sufficient means of giving warning in case of fire was installed. The occupier complied and the notice was lifted within 3 working days.

Responding

7 March 2006: A fire in a country house, 20 metres by 15 metres in School Lane at Michelmersh required pumps to be made up to 4, 6 and eventually to 8 with a water carrier and aerial ladder platform also requested. Messages indicated that 100% of the roof, 80% of the first floor and 50% of the ground floor were involved. The fire was extinguished using 3 jets, 2 hosereels, a monitor from the aerial ladder platform and 20 BA with extensive salvage work being carried out by HFRS crews.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

39

24

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

735

1634

Protecting

Following contact with the Chief Executive an initial meeting has been arranged during May, between HFRS and Southampton City Council (SCC) to progress the formation of a formal partnership between the 2 parties. This will replicate and expand on the partnership already enjoyed with HCC.

Further to the initial consultations between HFRS, managers of a charity mother and baby refuge in Southampton and SCC regarding the retro fitting of residential sprinklers to their premises the property owners, SCC and the refuge management have both agreed to the installation of the sprinkler system and funding for the project has also been agreed.

The development of flats for senior living in the Bassett area of Southampton is nearing completion, all of which benefit from a full residential sprinkler and fire alarm system. The developers have welcomed the possibility of championing the use of residential sprinklers in the city and elsewhere through publicity with HFRS.

The Premises Risk Management Plan for West Quay shopping centre has been completed and training is now underway for key stakeholders. Table top exercises are planned to involve HFRS Ops, TFS and Emergency Planning, SCC, Hampshire Police and West Quay Centre Management.

A Premises Risk Management Plan has been commenced for the Tesco distribution centre at Nursling. This is a very large single story high volume building constructed entirely of sandwich panels.

A dedicated fire officer has been appointed by the University of Southampton and we are working together with the university in an informal partnership, to raise fire safety standards throughout the campus. Southampton Solent University are also keen to develop an informal partnership arrangement with HFRS and we are working together with them to improve fire safety standards.

Initial consultation discussions have been arranged regarding a revised West Quay 3 development project. As yet the details are not known but is likely to entail significant additions to the current West Quay centre as a replacement scheme for the stadium and hotel complex originally planned.

Following the successful Elton John concert a Bon Jovi concert is planned for the St Marys stadium and is already a sell out with 35,000 tickets sold. As before HFRS are fully engaged with and represented on the safety committee for the public assembly safety issues associated with the event.

During the period 6 enforcement notices have been served on premises within Southampton.

Responding

5 April 2006: Crews from Redbridge station mobilised to a fire in a large warehouse building at STS Eurolink, Andes Road, Nursling quickly made pumps up to 6 and eventually to 10. They also requested 2 aerial appliances and 2 water carriers. The single storey, aluminium clad warehouse building 24 metres by 18 metres suffered 100% damage by fire and the 2 storey brick built offices suffered 100% damage to first floor by fire and 100% water and smoke damage to the ground floor. During extensive firefighting operations 7 jets, 2 aerial monitors and 26 BA were used to contain the incident.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

7

3

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

133

350

Protecting

A Premises Risk Management Plan has been commenced for Breamore House north of Fordingbridge, this is a private heritage property and HFRS continue to work closely with the owner Sir Edward W Hulse.

A Premises Risk Management Plan has been commenced for Mottisfont Abbey House north of Romsey. A National Trust property, this was the venue for the formal signing of the partnership between HFRS and NT and also the HFRS Integrated Risk Management Plan launch.

During the period 5 enforcement notices have been served on premises within New Forest North.

Responding

19 March 2006: Three pumps were mobilised to a fire with persons reported in Elliot Close at Totton. On arrival crews quickly located the body of a male person believed to be in his 70's. The small fire was brought under control using 1 hosereel and 2 BA and the cause of the occupants death is still under investigation.

26 March 2006: Crews from Fordingbridge, Ringwood and Salisbury (Wiltshire) were mobilised to a house fire in Hale Road, Hale, close to the Hampshire/Wiltshire border. On arrival, the Fordingbridge crew rescued an elderly male who had suffered burns in the fire and was unconscious and not breathing. He was resuscitated by HFRS personnel and taken to Salisbury District Hospital. He unfortunately failed to survive his injuries and died 12 days later in intensive care. Crews used 1 jet, 2 hosereels and 6 BA to bring the fire under control

17 April 2006: Crews from Hampshire and Dorset stations mobilised to a barn fire at London Lane, Ripley near Ringwood arrived to find the structure well alight in close proximity to a house. Pumps were made up to 4 when it was established that there were 50 tonnes of baled hay and straw, 4 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 5 tonnes of potassium nitrate within the building. The hay and straw were allowed to burn under controlled conditions and the fertiliser products were cooled using jets. monitors and BA. Two crew members were hospitalised having breathed in fumes but were released after treatment.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

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

12

11

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

128

279

Protecting

Consultation between HFRS and the fire safety department at the Esso refinery at Fawley has commenced, in preparation for the introduction of new fire safety legislation in October 2006 when enforcement responsibility for non-process buildings transfers from the HSE to HFRS.

Following designation of the New Forest as a National Park on 1 April 2006, HFRS has identified a local contact within the National Parks department. We view the National Park as a significant heritage risk and are in the initial stages of establishing risk management plans with the parks department.

During the period 7 enforcement notices and 1 prohibition notice have been served on premises within New Forest South.

Responding

2 February 2006: A fire in the roof of a large country house at Sandy Down, Boldre near Lymington required the attendance of 6 pumps and numerous special appliances. Crews managed to contain the fire to the roof space and first floor using 1 jet, 3 hosereels and 10 breathing apparatus (BA) cutting away parts of the roof and bathroom ceilings to gain access to the fire.

16 March 2006: A serious fire at the Tide Mill in Beaulieu required the attendance of 6 pumps, an aerial ladder platform and several special appliances. The traditionally constructed building consisting of 2 floors, 30 metres by 40 metres suffered fire damage to 90% of the roof and 40% of the ground and first floors. The building had been under renovation and preservation for a considerable time. Six jets and an aerial ladder platform were used to control the fire. The Police and Fire Service investigation teams continue to try to establish the cause which was thought to be arson.

19 March 2006: HFRS received a request for assistance at a large heath fire at Canford Heath in Dorset. Four pumps, a water carrier and landrover were sent to the fire and 2 additional pumps were sent to Dorset fire stations to provide standby cover. Crews assisted in extinguishing and damping down the heathland but unfortunately 100 hectares were lost to fire and 12 jets and 15 hosereels were used to contain it.

3 April 2006: The thatched roof of a house called Old Tynsleys, Main Road, East Boldre was well alight when the first call was received by Fire Control. Pumps were quickly made up to 6 but they were unable to save the roof which was completely destroyed. Urban Search and Rescue crews had to assist in demolishing the unstable chimneys and shoring up floors to enable personnel to get inside the building to extinguish the fire. The incident was brought under control using 3 jets, 1 hosereel and 30 BA.