To consider a presentation on the impact of MFRS’s operational response with regard to Wildfires (CFO/02/24).

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Dave Mottram presented the report noting that wildfires had emerged as a serious threat for the service, in terms of how it tackles incidents and the environmental impact of the Authority’s actions.

Station Manager John Kellaway led the presentation as the National Wildfire Tactical Advisor. He provided an in-depth description of wildfires and their causes. Members were advised that fighting a wildfire can be hard physically for the firefighters especially as they predominantly occur during the summer months and require additional  of PPE(Personal Protective Equipment). 

Members heard that the IRMP 2021-24 had made a commitment to establishing a wildfire specialism on Merseyside and that it had been successful.

Focusing on Merseyside, it was noted that the key areas of risk where Formby and Heswall with Bidston Hill accounting for 320 incidents, 4x more than any other location.

Members were advised that the Authority provided residents with information on how to make their properties more defensible from wildfires. The Authority also sought to work with key stakeholders such as Natural England and the National Trust and it was reported that the Authority worked well with Wirral Council who owned the land at Bidston Hill.

Members were advised that staff were trained in Northumberland as their Service was the lead within the UK. It was noted that there was an exercise planned with Wirral to take place between February and March.

SM John Kellaway presented the upcoming challenges for the Authority and provided Members with an in-depth analysis of the equipment used at wildfire incidents. 

The presentation provided Members with a breakdown of the number of incidents over the last four years noting that changes in land management may have resulted in more incidents.

With regards to coworking with the Local Authorities, Councillor Paul Tweed asked, which Councils were working with the Authority on this risk. SM John Kellaway advised that Wirral Council was the only Council to take part but advised that this could be due to reduced workforces/funding. It was explained that the measures that were needed to lessen the impact of wildfires were not costly and included things like making fire breaks in rural areas.

Members heard that Wirral Borough Council had undertaken a Wildfire Risk Assessment with input from the Authority and this had proved helpful when seeking to protect the land in an urban environment. This approach had been cost neutral as the Council has redistributed its resources to undertake preventative work such as controlled burns.

Councillor Gill Wood noted that Bidston Hill was in her Ward and how she had seen it on fire in the past, noting how quickly the fire could spread across the land. She asked how the Authority interacted with ‘Friends of’ volunteer groups who cared for some green spaces. Schools and community groups were also highlighted as potential stakeholders who could help.

It was explained that the Authority sought to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the risk could be mitigated as much as possible. As an example, the Authority worked well with the Heswall Dales group and the local Park Rangers.  Furthermore, Fire and Rescue Services across the country shared learning and best practice through an online registry and at regular meetings.

Members were advised that the Authority also had drone capabilities which helped to combat Wildfires in an innovative way.

RESOLVEDthat:

a)    the introduction of the Wildfire Specialism into Operational Response capabilities of MFRS be noted; and

b)    apply scrutiny to the approach adopted. 

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Dave Mottram, presented the report noting that wildfires had emerged as a serious threat for the Service, in terms of how it tackles incidents and the environmental impact of the Authority’s actions.

Station Manager (SM) John Kellaway led the presentation as the National Wildfire Tactical Advisor. He provided an in-depth description of wildfires and their causes. Members were advised that fighting a wildfire could be hard physically for the firefighters especially as they predominantly occurred during the summer months and required additional PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). 

Members heard that in the IRMP 2021-24 a commitment had been made to establish a wildfire specialism on Merseyside and that it had been successful.

Focusing on Merseyside, it was noted that the key areas of risk were Formby and Heswall with Bidston Hill accounting for 320 incidents, 4x more than any other location.

Members were advised that the Authority provided residents with information on how to make their properties more defensible from wildfires. The Authority also sought to work with key stakeholders such as Natural England and the National Trust and it was reported that the Authority worked well with Wirral Council who owned the land at Bidston Hill.

Members were advised that MFRA staff were trained in Northumberland (the lead Service the UK). It was noted that there was a wildfire exercise planned with Wirral to take place between February and March.

SM John Kellaway presented the upcoming challenges for the Authority and provided Members with an in-depth analysis of the equipment used at wildfire incidents. 

The presentation provided Members with a breakdown of the number of incidents over the last four years noting that changes in land management may have resulted in more incidents.

With regards to coworking with the Local Authorities, Councillor Paul Tweed asked which Councils were working with the Authority on this risk. SM John Kellaway advised that Wirral Council was currently the only Council to take part but advised that this could be due to reduced workforces/funding. It was explained that the measures that were needed to lessen the impact of wildfires were not costly and included things like making fire breaks in rural areas.

Members heard that Wirral Borough Council had undertaken a Wildfire Risk Assessment with input from the Authority and this had proved helpful when seeking to protect the land in an urban environment. This approach had been cost neutral as the Council has redistributed its resources to undertake preventative work such as controlled burns.

Councillor Gill Wood noted that Bidston Hill was in her ward and how she had seen it on fire in the past, noting how quickly the fire could spread across the land. She asked how the Authority interacted with ‘Friends of’ volunteer groups who cared for some green spaces. Schools and community groups were also highlighted as potential stakeholders who could help.

It was explained that the Authority sought to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the risk could be mitigated as much as possible. As an example, the Authority worked well with the ‘Heswall Dales’ group and the local Park Rangers.  Furthermore, Fire and Rescue Services across the country shared learning and best practice through an online registry and at regular meetings.

Members were advised that the Authority also had drone capabilities which helped to combat wildfires in an innovative way.

RESOLVED that:

a)            the introduction of the Wildfire Specialism into Operational Response capabilities of MFRS be noted;

b)            scrutiny was applied to the approach adopted; and

c)            an update be brought back to Members in 12 months’ time.