Agenda item

Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Three-Year Plan Consultation

(i)       Report of the Chief Fire Officer, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

(ii)      Presentation from the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman asked the Chief Fire Officer, S Errington to speak in relation to the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) Three-Year Plan Consultation for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority (for copy see file of minutes).

 

The Chief Fire Officer explained for the benefit of new Members that producing an IRMP was a statutory duty of the Fire and Rescue Authority, from the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.  He added that a national framework published in 2012 had set out the Government’s priorities and expectations of Fire and Rescue Authorities. 

 

Members were referred to the information within the report relating to the consultation required in terms of the IRMP and noted that the consultation ran up to 15 January, to be completed and reported back to the Fire Authority on 8 February 2018.

 

The Chief Fire Officer explained the Three-Year Plan was appended to the report and set out the achievements since the last plan update, performance data which showed accidental house fires had reduced by 54% and non-domestic building fires had reduced by 68% in the last 10 years.  It was explained that the plan also set out information in terms of each of the 5 districts, namely: Darlington, Derwentside, Durham, Easington and Wear and Tees.

 

The Committee were asked to note the strategic focus of the Fire Service, with a vision: “We want to have the safest people and safest places”.  It was noted that underpinning this vision was 6 strategic priorities: emergency response; business fire safety; community safety; value for money; working together; and Our People, Our Way.  It was noted that the values for the Service were known as PIE: Professional; Innovative; and Effective.

 

Members learned as regards the emergency response, with significant reviews having looked at all fire appliances, with consultation with Trade Unions and staff as regards changes for the 2018/19 Action Plan.  Councillors were asked to recall the Fire Service’s participation in a national trial in respect of Emergency Medical Response (EMR), with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) looking at funding beyond the trial.

 

 

The Chief Fire Officer explained the work undertaken in terms of community safety, noting the work undertaken with Overview and Scrutiny in terms of Arson.  Members learned as regards the work associated with business fire safety and fire investigation, value for money and partnership working.  It was highlighted that by 2019/20 the Service would be receiving a 59% reduction in Government grant.

 

The Chief Fire Officer concluded by noting that the final section of the Plan document set out 6 strategic questions and encouraged Members to look at the document online and respond to the consultation.

 

The Chairman thanked the Chief Fire Officer and noted the fantastic performance in the face of the reductions in Government grant.

 

Councillor E Mavin asked in terms of Residents’ Association how would they work with the Fire Service, who to contact and liaise with.  The Chief Fire Officer noted that usually those Members who were also representatives on the Fire Authority would bring forward details of Residents’ Associations in their areas, however Members could approach the Fire Service as regards working together.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)     That the report be noted.

(ii)    That a response containing views of the Committee on the IRMP consultation be submitted to County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

 

Supporting documents: