To consider a presentation by the Area Manager for Operational Preparedness, providing an overview of the directorate.

Members were provided with a presentation by the Area Manager for Operational Preparedness, concerning an overview of the Directorate.

The presentation highlighted the structure of the Directorate and where it contributes to the strategic aims of the organisation. It also highlighted the range of work undertaken within the Directorate, in collaboration with key partners, such as Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service.

Members were informed that with regards to collaboration, the Joint Control Centre is a great example of co-location, whilst JESIP demonstrates how MFRA works collaboratively with other blue light responders on the ground, utilising joint working principles and a joint understanding of risk.

In terms of NWAS, Members were advised that sometimes collaboration can be more difficult to achieve, due to NWAS having a regional footprint, whereas Merseyside Police share the same County boundaries.

The presentation provided Members with a brief overview of each of the departments within the Operational Preparedness Directorate.

In terms of National Resilience, it highlighted some of the key assets, including Urban Search & Rescue, International Search & Rescue, High Volume Pumps and the canine provision.

With regards to the Marine Rescue Team, Members were informed that it is currently part funded by Merseytravel and Liverpool John Lennon Airport; and is one of the busiest water rescue stations in the Country.

In terms of the Training & Development Academy (TDA), Members were advised that it is a facility that everyone within the organisation uses. Members were advised that the TDA facilitates a wide range of training, including risk critical training for operational crews, command and control training, technical rescue training; and commercial training, which generates income.

In addition, the TDA co-ordinate multi-agency training, such as planning for events; and also the training for our new recruit firefighters, which is extremely complex in terms of the logistics and planning.

Members were further informed that the planned re-development of the TDA, will produce a facility that is fit for a modern FRS. 

The presentation highlighted the role of the Operational Planning Department, which consists of a mix of operational and non-operational staff, who work closely with the Police and other agencies. The Department deals with operational response plans, Standard Operating Procedures, Operational Information, COMAH plans, Event Planning; and the local resilience forum.

The Operational Intelligence Team, encompasses Business Continuity, Site Specific Risk Information (SSRI’s) and the Water and Hydrant section.

Members were advised that there is also a team within the Directorate, which considers the National Operational Guidance (NOG) and ensures that our own SOP’s align with the NOG; and undertake Strategic Gap Analysis.

Members were informed that another key Department which sits within the Operational Preparedness Directorate, is Fire Control, which are located within the Joint Control Centre. The team have responsibility for emergency call handling and dispatch and require a high level of training. They ensure that incident logs are maintained; and have also recently taken over responsibility for National Resilience Control.

A further key Department that was highlighted to Members, was Operational Equipment and Stores. They were informed that this Department have responsibility for undertaking research and development with regards to equipment, asset refresh, repairing and maintaining equipment including breathing apparatus, operational PPE, uniforms; and consumable items. In addition, they hold the central repository for document archive; and manage the logistics of the organisation.

The final Department highlighted within the presentation, was Transport and Workshops, who have responsibility for the design and procurement of equipment, fleet management, maintenance of vehicles and assets; and providing technical support.

The presentation then highlighted the actions contained within the IRMP, for which Operational Preparedness have responsibility, including the new IRMP actions which are currently out for consultation. These include: - enhancing our response to terrorist attacks, re-distributing specialist appliances, exploring drone capability, exploring 999 eye; and improved sharing of risk information cross-border.

Comments were made by Members regarding some concerns raised during recent visits, with regards to the rates of pay compared to the private sector, for some of our workshops staff.

Members were advised that the concerns are understood and that the organisation has experienced some difficulty with regards to recruitment into certain roles and staff retention, which is currently being considered.

Members Resolved that:

The content of the report be noted.