Agenda item

      i.         Report of Corporate Director of Resources

     ii.         Presentation of Director of Community Risk, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided background information in advance of a presentation from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) on home fire safety (for copy see file of minutes).

The presentation delivered by the Director Community Risk Management provided members with an overview of community fire safety activity with a focus on home fire safety visits. He gave a detailed explanation on what was included in a home fire safety visit, advised how the service currently worked with partners, the plan for partnership working in the future and highlighted the achievements of the service.  

Councillor Charlton thanked the Director Community Risk Management for the presentation and praised the service for their consistent work.

Councillor Atkinson commented on backyard fires and felt awareness needed to be raised regarding the dangers of these and the effect that they have on the environment. The Director Community Risk Management advised that this fell under the category of clutter and that advice on this subject was given during the home fire safety visits. He noted that the service worked with residents and the Local Authorities to try and target this issue and that any rubbish should be sent to the local recycling site.

Councillor Reed noted that the home fire safety visits in her area had been valuable commenting that a resident who had a visual and hearing impairment was provided with items from the sensory department which had been extremely helpful.  She went on to ask whether there was a plan for the service to do re-visits as a resident had commented that their smoke alarm was no longer working. The Director Community Risk Management confirmed that there was a revisit programme in place but that it was only for those deemed high risk. He clarified that a smoke alarm should last for ten years and advised that there was a telephone number on their website for residents who required advice.

Councillor Nicholls raised his concerns with the use of emollient creams and hand sanitiser. The Director Community Risk Management confirmed that these were highly flammable but only posed a risk when in contact with a naked flame.  Councillor Nicholls went on to ask about allotment fires, noting that although being deliberate, they were not done to cause harm.  The Director Community Risk Management noted that external fires were a key area of work for the service and that they were being proactive with regards to this.

Councillor Nicholls went on to praise the Tik Tok account that had been set up by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and emphasised how well the service had engaged with the community. The Director Community Risk Management advised that the account had been set up by an operational member of staff and had received a great response.

Councillor McKenna referred to the recent gas explosion in Birmingham and asked how often gas related incidents occurred. The Director Community Risk Management confirmed that gas explosions were rare. He noted that advice was given to people that owned their homes and to landlords and added that information on carbon monoxide detectors was also given at home fire safety visits.

In reference to the fire at Lee House in Peterlee, Councillor Fenwick asked if there were any measures in place to secure vacant buildings to stop children from accessing them. The Director Community Risk Management confirmed that they were working with the Police and the Local Authorities to address this but that robust work also needed to be done with the owners of the buildings.

In response to a question from Councillor Nicholls regarding electrical fires, the Director Community Risk Management noted that information on electrical safety was included as part of the home fire safety visit and stressed that electrical devices should only be purchased from reputable providers.

Mrs Paterson asked whether community centres could be included as part of the visit programme as these buildings were sometimes used to house the public in cases of emergency. The Chief Fire Officer explained that a community centre would generally require a basic risk assessment, however he stated that this assessment would need to be enhanced if the centre was to house people overnight. He thanked Mrs Paterson for raising this and agreed to feed this back to the service.

Councillor Charlton asked whether clutter and hoarding outside of homes, such as within sheds, should be reported to the service. The Director Community Risk Management confirmed that the clutter and hoarding referenced in the report applied to the inside of homes and that problems externally should be report to the council. 

Councillor Charlton informed members that an informal session regarding arson suppression had been scheduled and details of this would be circulated to members.

Resolved

That the content of the report and presentation be noted.