Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Standing Order 32(6), in the absence of both the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Committee, the election of Chair for this meeting was undertaken.

RESOLVED that Councillor Bown be elected Chair for this meeting of the Committee.

of the previous meeting held on 13 February 2017 attached.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2017 be signed as a correct record.

Report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Improvement (CSCPC/17/3) attached.

The Committee received for information a report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Improvement (CSCPC/17/3) that provided an update on the progress made with the new Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and which set out the outcomes of the risk analysis exercise that had been undertaken in order to support its development.

It was noted that 6 key risks had been identified which were:

·        Risk 1 – an increasingly ageing population;

·        Risk 2 – common health and wellbeing risks;

·        Risk 3 – availability of on call appliances;

·        Risk 4 – historic distribution of service delivery resources;

·        Risk 5 – increasing demand for emergency medical response (co-responding), and;

·        Risk 6 – increasing number of serious fires in commercial premises.

A workshop had been held for the Committee on 4 April 2017 to feed its views into the risk analysis stage.  Members who attended the workshop had given valuable feedback including (but not limited to) the point that any proposals must be evidence based and support the Service’s key priorities.

It was noted that the next steps in this process would be for a draft IRMP to be produced for consideration by the Fire & Rescue Authority at its meeting in June/July 2017.

Report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Delivery (CSCPC/17/4) - TO FOLLOW.

The Committee received for information a report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Delivery (CSCPC/17/5) that set out the work that had been undertaken to raise awareness of fire safety prevention for heritage buildings following the devastating fire at Cathedral Yard in Exeter.  The Business Safety Manager for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service had investigated ways in which the Service could offer suitable advice and support to owners and occupiers of heritage buildings (which would include Grade I, II* and II listed buildings) and the actions that were being taken included:

• The promotion free phone number for owners of heritage buildings to contact us;

• A review of all heritage buildings in Service area;
• An invitation to education events aimed at heritage building owners/managers;
• Additional training for Business Safety staff;
• The development of a Service guidance note for heritage buildings;
• The Development of a guidance leaflet for owners of heritage buildings, and;
• The development of partnership and collaborative working arrangements with heritage agencies.

Report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Delivery – (CSCPC/17/5) attached.

The Committee received for information a report of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer – Service Delivery (CSCPC/17/5) that set out the work that had been undertaken on the introduction of Virtual Reality technology within the Service which was being used as a tool to engage with the community to highlight the issues of road safety and water safety, amongst others.

It was noted that the Community Safety Education Department was in the process of producing a virtual reality water safety film that would focus on some of the key issues faced by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service  as well as nationally, highlighting the dangers of drink drowning, cold water shock and peer pressure in particular.