Members are requested to consider the identification of:

a)    Declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)    Any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)    Items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

Members considered the identification of declarations of interest, any urgent additional items; and any business that may require the exclusion of the press and public.

Members Resolved that:

a)    There were no declarations of interest made by individual Members in relation to any items of business on the Agenda.

b)    There were no additional items of business declared by the Chair, to be considered as matters of urgency.

c)    There were no items of business requiring the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof, due to the possible disclosure of exempt information.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 9^th May 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Previous Meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 9^th May 2019, were approved as a correct record, and signed accordingly by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Operational Scrutiny Rapid Review held on 9^th May 2019, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

The Minutes of the Operational Response Scrutiny Rapid Review, held on 9^th May 2019, were approved as a correct record, and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To consider Report CFO/049/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the content of the Annual Health, Safety and Welfare report, which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health, Safety and Welfare for the financial year 2018/19.

Members considered Report CFO/049/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the content of the Annual Health, Safety and Welfare Report, which details the performance of the Authority against its performance indicators for Health, Safety and Welfare for the financial year 2018/19.

Members were provided with a detailed overview of the report, which highlighted information regarding staff injuries. Members were advised that during the year, there were 58 injuries to staff members, with 48 of those remaining in work, indicating that the majority of injuries were minor in nature. Members were informed that this also highlights the positive reporting culture within MFRS.

With regards to injuries occurring during operational activity, Members were advised that out of the 27 injuries reported, only 7 went off duty, with 3 of those related to a non-fault vehicle collision whilst on route to an incident.

It was highlighted to Members that during the year 2018/19, MFRS attended 16,099 operational incidents, supported by 27,145 appliance movements. Working on an average of 4.5 people per appliance, this equates to around 122,000 occasions on which operational staff were exposed to risk during risk critical activity. Therefore, to have only 4 injuries occur that resulted in lost time, is an extremely low figure.

In relation to injuries related to risk critical training, Members were informed that during the year, 110 days of core training were completed, 46 off site exercises; and 2 recruit courses consisting of 15 weeks each. During that period, 7 individuals sustained an injury during risk critical training; and of those 7, only 1 person went off duty for a period of 2 days. Again, when considered against the volume of activity, this is an extremely small amount of injuries.

With regards to the number of duty days lost for operational staff sustaining injury whilst at incidents or during risk critical training, Members were advised that this was a total of 63 days, which is 60 less than the previous year; equating to a 48% reduction.

In relation to injuries sustained by staff whilst conducting routine duties, Members were informed that there were 12 during the year. They were advised that this is a reduction of 5 on the previous year, which demonstrates a downward trend. Of those 12 injuries sustained, Members were advised that 8 of those individuals remained on duty, suggesting that they were minor in nature. They were informed that 4 individuals did go off duty, however this is 4 less; and a 50% reduction, on the previous year.

In relation to operational injuries, it was also highlighted to Members that all were related to individuals over the age of 40.

With regards to non-operational staff injuries, Members were advised that there was a total of 12 during 2018/19, which was an increase of 4 from the previous year. However, they were informed that although there was an increase, all individuals remained on duty.

Members commented that as an Authority, they were concerned about any injuries sustained by staff; and queried whether there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a presentation reviewing the impact of prevention activity on MFRS’s operational response.

Members were provided with a presentation by Group Manager Ben Ryder, reviewing the impact of prevention activity on MFRS’s operational response.

Members were informed that in 2017, a new Arson Reduction Strategy was introduced, which marked a change in thinking around tackling deliberate secondary fires, which is the Services largest incident type. Members were informed that the strategy is predicated on the “4 P’s” Model – Prepare, Prevent, Protect and Pursue, which is consistent with language used by partners.

Members were informed that in 2016/17, prior to the strategy being introduced, there were a large number of deliberate secondary fires, the number of fire appliances was reducing; and a new “functional” structure had been introduced. Therefore, a clear plan was required to tackle the issue.

Members were also advised that deliberate secondary fires can have a significant impact on a community, not only physically, but also psychologically; and can also lead to further criminal activity.

With regards to the Arson Reduction Strategy, Members were informed that this links arson to high demand areas, which when data from partners is overlaid, also happen to be the same areas with the highest levels of serious organised crime, high deprivation, low life expectancy and other risk factors. Therefore, particularly when all agencies have been impacted by austerity, it makes sense for agencies to pool resources and work together to target those areas and support the community, in order to have a real impact. Therefore, the Arson Reduction Strategy is discharged not only by MFRA staff, but also by our partners.

Members were informed that during 2018/19, 65 multi-agency Arson Reduction Campaigns took place across Merseyside, with pictures shown to demonstrate the positive impact that these campaigns have had within the community.

The presentation highlighted, that on average, there is a multi-agency campaign within each District every month (2 per month within the Liverpool District, which in terms of delivery, is divided into North Liverpool and South Liverpool). Members were informed that since the Strategy was introduced, over 6,000 HFSC’s have been delivered during multi-agency campaigns, with target hardening measurers put in place at over 100 properties; and over 150 incidents of fly-tipping reported.

With regards to the impact of the Strategy, Members were advised that there continues to be a downward trend with regards to the number of deliberate secondary fires. However, they were informed that as an organisation, we are not resting on our laurels. Members were advised that we are also linking in with our partners objectives, for example recycling, which is high on the agenda of local authorities. They were informed that in areas with poor recycling, there are a higher number of deliberate fires, which can lead to further issues within the community.

Members were also informed that our partners are keen to utilise our brand, in order to access some of the harder to reach communities.

The presentation highlighted to Members that up to the end of August 2019, deliberate secondary fires were at their lowest levels recorded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a presentation reviewing MFRA’s involvement in tackling crime.

Members were provided with a presentation by Station Manager Ian Mullin from the Incident Investigation Team, highlighting how MFRA are contributing to tackling crime within Merseyside.

Members were informed that the Incident Investigation Team (IIT) consists of 4 officers; and that they are part of a wider team, working together to drive down deliberate fires. They were informed that the aim of the team, is to provide excellent prevention and protection by “working with our partners and our communities to protect the most vulnerable through targeted local risk reduction interventions and the robust application of our legal powers”. This involves using local interventions to stop fire being used as a weapon.

Members were informed that the IIT work very closely with the Police; and produce detailed fire investigation reports. They were advised that IIT officers are also classed as expert witnesses and have a great deal of influence in court. This has led to a number of early guilty pleas, resulting in significant savings with regards to court costs.

The presentation highlighted that fires are started deliberately for a number of reasons, however they tend to fall into one of the following broad categories: domestic abuse, serious and organised crime, mental health and wellbeing, deliberate fire setting, child/ juvenile fire setting.

Members were advised that the presentation would take them through a couple of case studies, each of which fall into one of the categories outlined above.

The first case study highlighted to Members, was around domestic abuse. Members were informed that the IIT attend all incidents where it is suspected that domestic abuse is involved. Members were shown a series of pictures of the scene of the incident, which showed a bed which had been set on fire, a smoke alarm which had been removed, abusive writing painted on the walls of the property, a kitchen knife, which had been used to slash the couch and a roll of tape. Members were informed that there was lots of information and clear evidence of domestic abuse at the property.

Members were advised that the outcome of this investigation resulted in the ex-partner of the occupier being imprisoned for 2 years and 4 months.

The second case study within the presentation, was around serious and organised crime. Members were informed that a substantial amount of money has been provided to tackle serious and organised crime, which is a big problem across Merseyside, with fire often being used as a weapon.

With regards to the case study, Members were informed that crews had initially responded to a vehicle on fire on a field within the Everton ward, late one evening. They discovered a badly burnt body in the rear of the vehicle. An IIT Officer was requested to attend; and Merseyside Police launched a murder investigation. Specialist equipment was used to detect accelerants; and it was found that petrol had been used. Members were informed that this was a particularly complex case, with IIT also attending two additional addresses, to assist in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To review the current Forward Work Plan for the Scrutiny Committee; and to consider the inclusion of any additional items for scrutiny, and the priority of any additional items.

Members considered and reviewed the current Forward Work Plan for the Scrutiny Committee; and considered the inclusion of any additional items for scrutiny.

Members Resolved that:

a)    an item around Health & Safety figures and a comparison with other FRA’s, be added to the FwP.

b)    An item around the effectiveness and outcomes of the Violence Reduction Unit, be added to the FwP.