To consider Report CFO/003/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning performance against the objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 for the period July to November 2019.

Members considered report number CFO/003/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the performance against the objectives and the performance targets/outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 for the period July to November 2019.

Members were given a brief introduction of the report and background.  They were informed that updates on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) were brought to the Authority 4 times a year and it was highlighted to Members that the ‘total number of special services attended’ which includes assisting partner agencies, does not have a target and is monitored for quality assurance only. 

Members were advised that KPI’s are monitored and scrutinised each month through the Performance Management Group and that it is really good to see that the vast majority of objectives in this latest Service Delivery Plan are colour coded green, meaning the action is on/or over target. 

Members were informed that unfortunately there had been 1 fatality as a result of a ‘deliberate dwelling fire’ this year, resulting in 1 fire death.  The outcome of this means the objective is colour coded red, showing an increase of the target from last year, whilst the ‘amount of injuries caused to people’ are fewer than last year. 

Members were advised that the firefighter apprentice scheme has been introduced at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) for new recruits.  Their training is operationally focused, meaning less paperwork and they are assessed after 2 years.  Matters are progressing well. 

It was asked by Members the age that you can apply to be a firefighter now that the apprenticeship scheme is taking place and they were informed that it is from age 18.  A query about what a ‘Page Tiger’ system was asked and it was explained that this is an ‘on boarding’ system for new firefighter recruits that have not yet started their apprenticeship training.  Further to this Members asked if everyone got an interview due to it being an apprenticeship programme, but they were told that due to the large amount of applicants (over 1500), that this simply wasn’t possible. 

A question was raised by Members asking if anything could have been done to prevent the 1 ‘deliberate dwelling fire’ death and why the number of them fluctuate throughout the year.  Members were advised that in that instance where there was a death that there was nothing more that could have been done to prevent it.  They were then informed that there are different targets over the year depending on the seasons. Members asked for more information on this and they were sent it later this day. 

Members inquired if MFRS were working with local boroughs with regards to Road Traffic Collision’s (RTCs).  They were advised that MFRS works on a national level in terms of collaboration and a lot of the partnership work is with Merseyside Police. 

The Committee was informed by a Member that they had been to a meeting on Equality, Diversion and Inclusion and that it was very proactive.  Members were advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3