Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item ......

26 September 2007

Activity Report

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Dave Curry Tel : 023 80 626832 Email : [email protected]

1

Responding

1.1

This period covers incidents since the last meeting and has seen several large fires within the county as well as a significant amount of activity responding to flooding incidents both within the county and around the country.

After very heavy rain for much of the last week of June, the North East in particular suffered very heavy flooding, mainly based around Hull and Doncaster. HFRS was asked on Saturday evening, 30 June, by the Fire and Rescue Service National Coordination Centre (FRSNCC), which is run by West Yorkshire FRS on behalf of the CLG to coordinate all the New Dimensions and USAR equipment and personnel when they deploy out of their own counties, to assist by sending our High Volume Pumping (HVP) Units and crews and these were directed to Toll Bar in Doncaster to immediately deploy and try and reduce flood waters from the Town.

Our initial deployment was 13 crew and a Liaison/ Welfare Officer. The crew arrived in the early morning of 1 July and joined other HVP teams from Surrey and West Midlands. In all there were 34 people deployed over 10 days to Yorkshire for up to 72 hours at a time (on average 53 hours).

On Friday 20 July, large scale flooding in North Hampshire and the surrounding counties meant that we again mobilised the High Volume Pumping Units, as well as our first ever mobilisation of the Water Support Unit (WSU) and the crews. We also opened up the Major Incident Room and kept it operating for the next week to support our deployments. On the first day of the flooding the WSU crews rescued 130 children from a primary school in Royal Berkshire and we sent the HVP to assist Wiltshire Fire and Rescue in Swindon.

On 22 July we mobilised the HVP and crews to Gloucestershire and subsequently also mobilised the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team and a Command Vehicle. All of our vehicles and crews returned to Hampshire on 27 July. On every occasion HFRS crews performed extremely professionally and effectively and our efforts were widely praised. We will be analysing these incidents to see if there are any areas for improvement as well as contributing to the national debate about the UK's response to wide area flooding.

1.2

Several large fires in derelict or disused buildings across the county required the mobilisation of large amounts of resources and personnel. On 22 May, 7 appliances responded to The Air Balloon, a derelict public house in Portsmouth; on 11 July, 6 appliances responded to a disused building in Sutton Scotney; on 15 June, 6 pumping appliances and an aerial appliance dealt with a fire in a disused nightclub in Southampton and on 12 August, 10 appliances and a turntable ladder were sent to a fire in a disused warehouse in Southampton. All of these incidents required large amounts of personnel and equipment and caused significant disruption in the area. HFRS will be looking at ways of preventing disused or derelict buildings becoming the targets for fire setting.

1.3

One large incident on Hayling Island on 15 June resulted in a number of rescues. Arson is believed to be the cause of the fire in a block of flats which resulted in HFRS rescuing 8 persons including 6 children from their flats. Investigations are ongoing with the police and the HFRS Arson Task Force to ascertain the exact cause and identify the culprits.

2

Preventing

2.1

An integral part of the Service restructure was to bring together the Technical and Community Fire Safety Departments, protection and prevention, into a single cohesive force to be titled Community Safety. This commenced in April and has already seen a number of successful collaborations develop from the merger. These have included work on domestic sprinklers, enforcement and education in houses of Multiple Occupation and use of information collected from Fire Investigations.

A stock take of all prevention initiatives is also underway to identify exactly what activities are taking place across the Service and  what resources are committed to them. This will start to identify best practice and serve as one of the foundations for an integrated set of risk control measures.

A wealth of prevention initiatives and activities now form part of our everyday business but listed below are some notable developments that have taken place in the last quarter.

2.2

Home Safety  - The re-focus of Home fire Safety Visits towards those who are more vulnerable has been successful and the Service is now in a position where it can confidently state that our home safety education is being targeted at the groups who are statistically proven to be most at risk. It was anticipated that improved targeting would make referrals harder to achieve and consequently make a target of 20,000 HFSVs harder to reach. The first quarter has shown this to be the case so additional resources and support are being put in place to overcome this. The Service remains committed to it's targeting policy and to achieving the goal of 20,000 HFSVs. We know home escape plans and working smoke detectors save lives.

2.3

Arson Reduction - Hampshire's Arson Task Force formally went live on Wednesday 25 July 2007 following the official launch at HFRS Headquarters. This  joint initiative between Hampshire Constabulary  and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is an intelligence-led unit which exists to detect and prevent deliberate fires (arson), reduce risk to life and property, and enhance arson investigation via tactical response and appropriate support.

Since the beginning of April 2007 the Arson Task Force have now assisted HFRS Fire Investigators and Hampshire Constabulary with a total of 78  Investigations, The outcome of the joint investigations has so far culminated in 59 arrests. These have lead to 11 convictions, 3 cautions and 2 hospital orders. The out come of the convictions has been over 21 years of jail time,  12 months of suspended sentences, 12 months of supervision orders and 18 months of rehabilitation orders.

These early successes represent a tangible reduction in risk to life and damage to property by arson within the communities of Hampshire.

2.4

Water Safety - The Service carried out research with partners to produce an educational Information leaflet which can be used to combat the hazards of water in all it's guises. A distribution strategy is now being formulated to ensure that this document can be placed where it will be most influential.

Local activity has taken place in specific points such as the Redbridge flyover to combat the recently labelled activity of "tomb stoning". This was supported by another Summer Water Safety campaign (Think B4 U Jump) which was delivered to  Key Stages 3 & 4 by our own staff, Community Police Officers and the Coastguard. 

2.5

Road Safety - Through the Safer Roads Partnership, the Service has embarked upon  a project to develop a programme of large scale educational events designed to influence the driving behaviour of 16 to 25 year olds. The outcome will be a `Safe Drive, Stay Alive' road show that will eventually be delivered to all 6^th  Form Colleges in the County. The project will  start with 2 pilots, the first of which is planned for  a Southampton venue in November 2007. This is an ambitious project that will require the co-ordination of a large number of resources in a multi -agency approach, but experience in other counties shows it has the potential to be very effective.

2.6

Student Police Officers - In partnership with Hampshire Constabulary a protocol for Student Police Officers to be attached to HFRS as part of their training has been developed and will be implemented.

2.7

Student Brand Ambassador - Following on from last years national campaign to create Student Brand Ambassadors  the Service has remained in contact with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and secured funding and support for ambassadors in Portsmouth and Southampton University (2^nd year) this year.

2.8

Schools Education - The Schools  Education Team have completed another successful Academic Year working with pupils across Hampshire in our Primary, Secondary, Special and Independent schools.  Road safety is now integrated into the education programme at Key Stage 1 and will commence to pupils in Key Stages 2 and 3 in September in line with our IRMP.

During the Summer Term 5,974 pupils in Key Stage 1,  5,582 pupils in Key Stage 2 and 10,588 pupils in Key Stage 3 from main stream LEA schools ,and a further 2,268 pupils currently in Special Education and from the private sector were involved in our educational sessions. The team has continued to meet its targets in these areas.

In addition to this   4,100 pupils received Fire Safety and Burn Prevention education at  a number  of  Think Safe (Junior Citizen Events) and Science Fairs in June and July.

2.9

Domestic Sprinklers - The Service has now entered into an agreement to support Sentinel Housing Association to install domestic sprinkler systems into a number of new build homes in Bishops Green (Near Newbury) as part of a regeneration project. Both partners are committed to this initiative as a way to improve safety standards for tenants who fall into higher risk groups. However we are currently encountering some barriers in terms of water supply. Paradoxically it is remote communities who would benefit most from sprinklers and it is these communities whose water supplies are often not adequate to support the most cost efficient forms of domestic sprinkler systems. Discussions are underway with Southern Water, who in principle support the use of domestic sprinklers, to find a way forward. Any decision will have impact on the bishops Green project and others that follow.

3

Protecting

3.1

HFRS have signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Defence Fire and Rescue Service, part of the Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation, to reach common objectives in terms of risk reduction. The partnership will also seek to provide regional strategy for joint working.

3.2

Technical Fire Safety received a commendation for their entry in the Service Delivery Team category for their work within the BME community. The team raised awareness of the Fire Safety Order, created positive relationships and reduced enforcement activities. The awards were sponsored by Communities and Local Government, the LGA and CFOA.

3.3

HFRS partnership with the National Trust has delivered the initial phase of training of Managing Fire Safety training to 120 Property Managers, House Stewards and Surveyors over a ten day period.

4

Group Activity

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

2

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

421

902

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Engineered solutions for Listed buildings being developed for High Risk Premises. White Hart in Overton, The Vine in Sherbourne St John, Church Cottage in Basingstoke.

Local partnership agreement made with Local Authority Housing to inspect and register high Risk Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 4

Prosecutions - Nil

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

0

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

482

583

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Links have been expanded between HFRS and Defence Fire and Rescue Service and regular dialogue and information exchange is taking place with regards to TFS matters and reducing operational incidents on defence estates.

Following Fire Safety Audits at Lord Wandsworth college, all of their boarding premises now have new L2 alarm systems

Mobile E-working has commenced at Rushmoor

Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC) Housing department, food safety department and Environment agency all working closely on a daily basis to make our area of Hampshire safer

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 3

Prosecutions - 1 case under investigation

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

1

3

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

70

207

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Inspection of HIMO's in partnership with East Hants Public Sector Housing.

Talks given at East Hants - organised seminar's for small business.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - 1

Enforcements notices - nil

Prosecutions - Nil

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

0

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

267

592

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

93 audits have been carried out based on higher risk premises as highlighted by CFRMIS and through themed inspections targeting industrial premises.

4 Inspections as a result of Urgent Action Requests.

Confirmed that Sprinklers will be installed within accommodation at Fort Monkton to compensate for limited fire service access and existing design features. These measures agreed in partnership with MOD premises inspectors.

Sprinklers to be installed within re-development of Fareham Shopping Centre.

Fareham officers involved in giving monthly seminars to the business community.

BME initiative, link established with Chinese community for Fareham area.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 2

Prosecutions - Nil

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

7

8

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

676

1669

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

111 audits have been carried out based on higher risk premises as highlighted by CFRMIS and through themed inspections targeting licensed premises and involvement in the Best Bar None initiative.

Inspection of numerous HIMO's in partnership with Portsmouth City Council

18 Inspections as a result of Urgent Action Requests.

Copnor officers involved in giving monthly seminars to the business community.

BME initiatives continue to be developed presently working towards making arrangements for personnel to be available once a week at Friendship house, a local BME community meeting place. Also working towards making contacts further contacts in the Asian business community.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 5

Prosecutions - Nil

Responding

22/23 May: More than 40 emergency calls were received in Fire Control to a fire in the derelict Air Balloon Public House in Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth. Pumps were initially made up to 4, 6 and then 7 with an aerial appliance also requested after reports indicated that persons were reported within the building. The structure consisting of three floors 26 metres by 20 metres of traditional construction suffered severe fire damage to the ground and first floors. Three jets, 2 hosereels and 36 BA were used during firefighting operations. Unfortunately an acetylene cylinder was later located at the scene and an exclusion zone had to be set up around the building and the cylinder cooled in situ and this extended the duration of the fire considerably.

15 June: Numerous emergency calls were received to a fire in the stairwell of a block of flats in Winsor Close at Eastoke, Hayling Island and three pumps were immediately mobilised and were later made up to four. Two of the callers were extremely distressed being trapped in their flats by the smoke and one female caller also had 6 children in her flat. Two members of the Control staff kept the callers on the telephone providing excellent fire survival advice until the arrival of the pumps and helped to ensure a safe conclusion to the incident. The fire was brought under control using 3 hosereels, 12 BA and positive pressure ventilation to evacuate the smoke and the cause was considered to be arson. Eight persons were rescued by HFRS crews. One member of the control room staff will receive a Chief Officers Certificate of Congratulations and another a Chief Officers Commendation for the very important part they played in helping to ensuring the safety of the residents trapped by the fire.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

4

3

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

285

471

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Good work continues in identifying and working with premises which use and store acetylene cylinders as part of their work processes. Premises targeted are adjacent to main arterial roads and rail networks, which as a result of an incident would fall within an exclusion zone. As a result of this work at least 12 premises have agreed to substitute acetylene cylinders with other types which will do the work required. In conjunction with similar work in West Group a leaflet has been produced by HFRS which explains the problems and dangers associated with acetylene and suggests alternatives.

TFS Winchester has an effective role on the Winchester City Council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and has advised on a range of events where the RRO now applies.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 3

Prosecutions - Nil

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

2

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

454

841

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Swan Shopping Centre Development - Planned Building works are now underway at the Shopping Centre with ongoing consultation in progress.

The existing fire strategy and engineered solution has been explained to the Centre Management. Further work is underway to increase awareness and ownership of the strategy throughout the management workforce.

The Hampshire Rose Bowl has been provided with a new Emergency Access Route from the M27 Motorway as a result of HFRS involvement with the Safety Advisory Group.

Regular liaison meetings continue with BAA at Southampton International Airport with regards to development projects and Fire and Rescue Service response.

Last Quarters Risk identification of Bed & Breakfast premises and subsequent audits, brought a risk reduction to the B&B community.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 11

Prosecutions - 1 ongoing with legal support.

Responding

19 May: Three pumps were initially mobilised to reports of a fire at King Somborne Primary School, Romsey Road, King Somborne. The first crew in attendance from Stockbridge made pumps up to four, eight and then to ten. The single storey building, 40 metres by 40 metres of brick construction with a slate roof suffered severe fire damage to the roof and the remainder of the building was damaged by smoke and water. Four jets, 4 hosereels and 28 BA were used during the extensive firefighting operation.

11 July: A fire in a disused building in the Old Railway Yard in Wonston Road, Sutton Scotney was initially attended by two pumps that were made up to 4 and then to 6 when there were reports that persons were reported to be inside.. The building of traditional construction 76 metres by 12 metres consisting of two floors suffered 50% fire and smoke damage to the first floor and 20% to the ground floor. The incident was brought under control using 4 jets and 16 BA and all persons were accounted for.

2 September: The first pumps to arrive at a thatched roof fire at Little Street, Little London, near Andover made pumps up to 6 then to 8 and eventually to 10 as the roof was well alight. The residential property of 2 floors, 21 metres by 15 metres suffered severe fire damage to 100% of the roof and 50% smoke and water damage to the first floor. Four jets, 7 hosereels and 50 BA were used to bring the incident under control and the contents of the property were salvaged by crews assisted by neighbours.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

9

11

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

1123

2017

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Fire Protection - Replacement new build building 53 at university of Southampton is progressing / developing water mist system for clean room area / details to be forwarded from approved inspector.

Demonstration of `Petrogen' as a replacement to acetylene to local business' currently using acetylene.

Acetylene Reduction and Education - A thematic audit of premises likely to use acetylene within 200m of Southampton Football Stadium has commenced. Two premises have now removed acetylene from their operations as a result of the programme. This is in the initial stages and further work id to follow.

Sprinklers - Ongoing communication with SEEDA and Crest Hamilton to encourage the provision of residential sprinklers within the new Woolston Riverside development. Domestic sprinklers are to be fitted to the temporary training building at Service Headquarters to fulfil the dual role of property protection as well as a facility to continue education with regards to such systems.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - 1

Enforcements notices - 4

Prosecutions - Nil.

Responding

11 May: Thirty emergency calls were received in Fire Control to a fire in a boatyard at Vespasian Road in Southampton. Pumps were quickly made up to 5 and then 10 with a request for an aerial ladder platform. Members of the public living nearby were evacuated at the height of the fire which involved a boat shed 50 metres by 50 metres that suffered 50% damage by fire. Five boats were severely damaged by fire and two suffered slight damage. Five jets, 2 monitors, the ALP and 28 BA were used during the incident. Police and Fire Officers are continuing to investigate the cause.

15 June: Pumps were made up to six when fire broke out in a disused nightclub in Chapel Road, Southampton. The extensive building of 2 floors, 54 metres by 50 metres suffered 75% fire damage and 3 jets, 15 BA and one aerial appliance monitor were used to bring the incident under control. One adult male person was rescued from the fire by HFRS crews.

12 August: The first attendance to initial calls to a fire in a derelict warehouse at Antelope House, Bursledon Road, Southampton was quickly increased to 4, 6 and finally to 10 pumps when the Police reported that they had information that children could be heard inside the building. A Turntable Ladder was also requested. The fire was reported to be in the roof space with smoke logging to the warehouse and basement areas. Fortunately it was contained within the warehouse and did not spread to the high rise part of the building. All persons were finally accounted for after an extensive search of the 70 by 58 metre warehouse. Three jets, 16 BA and the Turntable Ladder were utilised to bring the incident under control and the cause is under investigation after being classed as doubtful.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

0

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

87

162

Protecting

Arson and Risk Reduction

Rural Safety Officer - integrated working with the Rural Safety Officer, joint on-site meetings and work based consultations.

Completed Data Gathering for New Forest Enterprise Centre, Totton.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Prohibition Notices - Nil

Enforcements notices - 1

Prosecutions - 1 case under investigation

Responding

2 May: Six pumps, 5 landrovers, 2 Water Carriers and several support vehicles were required to deal with a large fire in woodland on the Somerley Estate near Ringwood. The incident near the county border with Dorset attracted resources from both Hampshire and Dorset assisted by Forestry Commission personnel. Numerous jets, hosereels and beaters were used during protracted firefighting operations. Unfortunately approximately one acre of a plantation was lost during the fire.

2 August: The full predetermined attendance of 4 pumps plus special appliances was mobilised to a fire involving the roof of a thatched cottage at The Common, Woodgreen near Fordingbridge. On arrival of the first crew pumps were made up to 5 and then to 10 as the roof was well alight. Crews from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire worked together to bring the fire under control using 3 jets, 2 hosereels and 10 BA. Unfortunately 70% of the thatched roof of the 20 by 8 metre cottage was severely damaged by fire and the first floor suffered severe smoke damage.

Preventing

Fire and Arson Support Unit:

Number of properties visited:

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

2

0

Operational Crews:

Number of Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

84

165

Protecting

See New Forest North

Responding

No significant activity.

Responding

During heavy rain on Friday 20 July, Control started to receive a large number of calls to flooding in the north of the county following a period of very heavy rain. The Major Incident Room was set up to assist the Control Room and was crewed by members of the Incident Command Unit team, a number of Senior HFRS managers and support staff. Officers were deployed to assist and give advice at 56 incidents and requested pumping resources at 13 of these. It soon became obvious that other counties were suffering greater problems than Hampshire as overflow calls were being received for incidents in Royal Berkshire, London, Surrey, Hereford and Worcester, Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. During the day our control staff dealt with 770 emergency calls related to flooding of which 457 were for other counties. Calls were recorded on our Command and Control system and as the other Control rooms were inundated with their own emergency calls, Hampshire staff faxed details of the calls we had received back to them. As Berkshire were particularly busy we mobilised 4 pumping appliances to Newbury fire station to support them.

Some of the largest incidents in Hampshire were at Eversley Cross near Hook and at Brightstone Lane Lower Farringdon, where pumps were deployed to reduce the water level at a number of residential dwellings. Areas also badly affected were Alton, Eversley, Hartley Wintney, Farnborough and Tadley. A number of calls were received to Aldermaston Primary School in Wasing Lane at Aldermaston, Berkshire with the staff reporting that approximately 150 children were trapped in the school by four feet of flood water. The children were sitting on their desks waiting for assistance. Two pumps were deployed together with the Water Support Unit crewed by the Marine Incident Support Team members who are trained in water rescue. They were able to assist in removing the children using two air inflatable boats to transfer them to dry land where they could be repatriated with their parents.

The High Volume Pumping Unit was also deployed to Wiltshire to assist with removal of flood water in the Swindon area.

High Volume Pump (HVP) Deployment to Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Under the New Dimensions (ND) initiative CLG have strategically placed 46 HVP units with F&RS's protecting England, Scotland and Wales. These pumps provide a national resource and are capable of pumping over 7000 Litres of water per minute through large diameter hose over 3 kms. They can provide fire-fighting water or clean water to an area or can be used to remove waste water and provide flood relief.

HFRS has been provided with 2 vehicles, one stationed at Hardley contains a HVP pump and 1 hose box containing 1Km of 150mm hose. The second vehicle stationed at Hythe contains a double hose box containing 2KMs of 150mm hose. The crews at these two RDS stations are supported by personnel from another RDS station at Ringwood, all well trained to crew and operate the vehicles, sometimes out of County and for long periods at protracted incidents.

30 June to

9 July

After very heavy rain for much of the last week of June, the North East in particular suffered very heavy flooding mainly based around Hull and Doncaster. HFRS was asked to assist by the FRSNCC on Saturday evening 30 June by sending vehicles and operating crews initially to Corby to `standby'. In the event before the HFRS had arrived in Corby the deteriorating situation led to them being redirected to Toll Bar in Doncaster to immediately deploy and try and reduce flood waters from the Town.

Our initial deployment was 13 crew and a Liaison/ Welfare Officer, the crew arrived in the early morning of 1 July and joined other HVP teams from Surrey and West Mids. in a sector. The initial deployment was sufficient to deploy the necessary equipment and actually get it to work quickly. Some other FRS's sent smaller teams that essentially delivered equipment but couldn't deploy it. A Duty Officer back in Hampshire worked to provide welfare support and arrange relief crews so that we could maintain an effective workforce at the scene.

With tremendous support from the personnel on all 3 RDS stations the HFRS team worked throughout the next 10 days for the complete duration of the event to support South Yorkshire FRS and the FRSNCC. The nature of the incident changed as the week progressed, initially maintaining equipment and continuous pumping of deep flood waters 2.5 to 3 metres deep in places. As the waters were pumped away continual movement of the vehicles, pumps and hose lines were required to keep the pumps working to their capacity and finally the gruelling task of making up the kit and cleaning it ready for the next deployment (in Hampshire 2 days after return). In all their were 34 people deployed to Yorkshire, relief teams were smaller (7 personnel) and deployments were for up to 72 hours at a time (average 53hours).

Successful HFRS HVP Strategy

Throughout the incident HFRS was able to maintain well trained and supported, competent personnel at the scene when many other FRS's were unable to maintain and support their skilled crews at the incident. The use of RDS personnel proved successful particularly by training and involving a third station (Ringwood) in the project from an early stage. Despite being in the holiday period support was maintained for the full 10 day period and relief teams had already been identified for the next week had they been required.

A full debrief is planned for the evening of Wednesday 25 July with all the crews at Hardley Fire Station. Despite the success of this deployment we are sure that there will be many learning points from which we can further improve training, policy and procedures to the benefit of all stakeholders.

17 September

Fatal Fire At Four-Storey Block Of Flats

In the early hours of the morning Fire Control was alerted to a serious fire at a four-storey block of flats in Milton Road, Portsmouth. At the height of the blaze, seven appliances with over 50 firefighters using two main water jets, four hose reels, and 20 breathing apparatus sets were required to fight the fire and bring it under control.

Using ladders and the specialist turntable ladder, firefighters rescued 19 occupants of the building after fire broke out in the communal stairway, with two casualties being taken to hospital.  Tragically as a result of the fire one person has died.

Our sympathies go out to the family who have sustained a tragic loss of life and our thoughts are also with the persons who were rescued from last night's serious fire. The tremendous efforts of our firefighters and our control room operators must be recognised, as the outcome would have been a lot worse had it not been for the skill and determination demonstrated by the crews involved in this incident.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and scenes-of-crime officers from Hampshire Constabulary are investigating its cause.  Hampshire's Arson Task Force, led by Group Manager Steve Quinn, has been brought in to help investigate the incident.