Agenda item

SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN 2019-20 APRIL-JUNE REPORT

To consider Report CFO/048/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20, for the period April to June 2019.

 

There will be a presentation in support of this item.

Minutes:

Members considered Report CFO/048/19 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning scrutiny of performance against the objectives and the performance targets/ outcomes, as set out in the Service Delivery Plan 2019/20, for the period April to June 2019.

 

Members were provided with a presentation in support of this report by Jackie Sutton – Integrated Risk Management Planning Officer.

 

Members were informed that the report provides Members with an opportunity to scrutinise performance; and includes highlights from Functional Delivery Plan actions and high level, Summary Performance Indicators.

They were also informed that Functional Delivery Plans are produced by each function, with key actions incorporated into the Service Delivery Plan. They were advised that Functional Plan key deliverables also now include actions contained within the recently approved IRMP Supplement and HMICFRS Inspection Report.

 

It was highlighted to Members, that progress reporting within the report, follows a “RAG” system.  They were informed that although it is still early, some sub-actions of the key deliverables, have already been completed. For example, cross border risk information has been successfully shared with partners and is available on the Portal and Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s); and the Positive Action Strategy is now fully implemented and resourced, to ensure diversity across Departments.

Members were advised that most actions are now underway (amber), however there are six sub-actions which have not yet been started, although it is intended that these commence this year.

 

With regards to the cumulative summary indicators, Members were informed that for Quarter 1, they are all green, with the exception of the total Special Services attended, which no longer has a target, as previously explained. It was re-iterated to Members that with regards to Special Services, we often have no way of influencing the number of calls, or indeed whether we would wish to reduce some of them, for example assisting partner agencies; and people locked in or out. Members were advised that for the Special Service calls that we can influence, such as RTC’s and Water Rescues, these have been made into individual LPI’s.

 

The presentation highlighted to Members that the total number of incidents attended, are significantly lower than in 2018/19, although June 2018 was the beginning of the spate conditions, which saw unprecedented numbers of calls and incidents for a 2 month period.

Members were informed however, that even when compared with the cumulative figures for 2017/18, the figures are still significantly lower for this quarter.

 

With regards to primary fires, Members were advised that there were 38 less than in 2018/19; and the number of accidental dwelling fires, were also on target. They were also informed that unfortunately, there had been 1 fatality; and 28 injuries in accidental dwelling fires (2 being serious injuries), which is 4 more than for quarter 1 last year.

With regards to secondary fires, it was highlighted that there have been 247 less this year, compared with the same period last year.

 

In relation to false alarms attended, Members were informed that the reductions clearly show the impact and success of the Unwanted Fire Signals Strategy; and the hard work of the team. They were advised that this has resulted in a reduction of 74 alarm calls when compared to 2018/19; and 38 less domestic smoke alarm actuations.

 

A question was raised by Members as to whether officers are confident that the reductions are positive and not simply due to people not reporting incidents.

Members were informed that these type of calls are primarily down to system alerts, which when they are false alarms, often tend to be due to poor management or maintenance of the equipment. When the equipment is managed and maintained properly, the system is not actuating unnecessarily. Therefore, these type of calls are not impacted by human behaviour.

 

With regards to the number of fires in non-domestic premises, Members were advised that the figures for both deliberate incidents and accidental incidents, are under target and considerably lower than 2018/19.

In terms of the 19 deliberate incidents in 2019/20, Members were informed that 7 were in prisons, which is a reduction of 10 on the previous year. It was highlighted to Members, that again, this reduction reflects the work undertaken by staff.

In relation to accidental fires in non-domestic premises, it was highlighted that the current figures are 10 under target, with there being a total of 43 to date. Out of those, Members were informed that in 18 cases, the cause has been electrical equipment/ electricity.

 

In relation to the achievement of the 10 minute attendance standard, Members were informed that this has been achieved on 94.1% of occasions, which is significantly above the 90% target.

Members were advised that contributing to the fast attendance time, are two further KPI’s; how quickly 999 calls are answered; and how quickly crews mobilise to an incident after being alerted by Fire Control.

With regards to the percentage of 999 calls being answered within 10 seconds, Members were advised that this is being achieved on 97.5% of occasions, above the target of 96%; and in relation to alert to mobile times being under 1.9 minutes, they were informed that this has been achieved on 95.9% of occasions, against a target of 95%.

 

In terms of the number of shifts lost due to sickness absence, Members were advised that the figures for grey book (operational) staff, red/ green (non-operational) staff; and all personnel, have all achieved the expected standard and are below the 4% target.  With regards to the rise in non-operational staff sickness absence on last year’s figures, Members were informed that this is due to a small number of staff being off on long-term sickness.

 

 

 

The presentation went on to highlight some KPI’s which are for quality assurance only, as they are the type of incidents that we cannot influence in any way. Members were informed that the total number of emergency calls received, has been much lower this year compared to last year during the spate conditions.

With regards to Special Service calls that we would not wish to discourage, Members were informed that there has been an increase on the previous year, with a total of 865. Out of those, 127 were affecting entry, whilst 93 were in relation to assisting partner agencies, which is an in incident type on the increase.

 

They were informed that included within Special Service calls, is the number of RTC’s, the LPI target for which has not been achieved. Members were informed that the Prevention teams work with Road Safety Partnerships to identify areas where RTC’s occur and put speed reducing measures in place. They also look at groups to engage with around road safety, which at present, is the aged 16 to 25 group. With regards to RTC’s, Members were advised that there have been 2 fatalities and 72 injuries, which is 23 less than last year, however 15 of those injuries were considered to be serious.

 

Members were advised that another area of Special Service calls that we are trying to influence, is around water rescue incidents. They were informed that there have been 6 such incidents this year, which is half the amount of last year. Examples of such incidents include searches for persons reported in the water; and vehicles in distress being towed to dock. Members were advised that again, Prevention teams are working with partners to educate around water safety.

 

With regards to HFSC’s, Members were informed that a total of 14217 have been delivered during Quarter 1. 11669 have been delivered by operational crews, with 51.3% of those, identified by status reports as being households with at least 1 person over the age of 65. Members were advised that a total of 2228 Safe and Well visits have been delivered by Prevention Officers; and that our targeted approach to home safety was praised during the HMICFRS Inspection. Members were also informed that we continue to ensure that our resources are targeted to the right people; and that previously, the over 65’s have been targeted, however the link between incidents and deprivation, is currently being explored.

 

The Chief Fire Officer informed Members of a couple of recent deliberate fires within Wirral, whereby the perpetrators have been identified and placed into custody within hours of the incidents occurring. Members were advised that this highlights the success of joint working between MFRA and Merseyside Police.

 

Questions were raised by Members in relation to requests from partner agencies for assistance; and whether those requests were due to those agencies requiring our skills, or not having the time to respond themselves.

Members were informed that the vast majority are around gaining entry to premises, as our appliances contain the required equipment. They were also advised that the number of such concern for welfare requests, are increasing.

 

A further question was raised by Members with regards to our liaison with the RNLI, with reference being made to a recent television documentary; and whether incidents could be broken down to demonstrate the level of involvement with the RNLI.

 

Members were informed that in terms of water rescue incidents, a call would normally come from a member of the public, through to the coastguard, who would deploy both MFRA and RNLI assets. They were also informed that a number of calls have been in relation to people in difficulty in the mud.

It was confirmed to Members that the number of Special Service calls could be broken down more widely; and that a report will be brought back to a future meeting, showing this breakdown and detailing how decisions are made regarding the deployment of assets.

 

A question was raised by Members with regards to the total number of fires attended during April 2019, which was significantly higher than the total number during April 2018; and whether there was a specific reason for the increase.

Members were advised that the increase was predominantly due to the dry, warmer weather during April 2019, compared with the wetter weather during April 2018; and the fact that April 2019 encompassed the school holiday period.

 

Members Resolved that:

 

a)    The attached report be approved for publication on the Website.

 

b)    A further report be brought back to a future meeting, regarding a breakdown of Special Service calls; and information detailing how decisions are made with regards to the deployment of assets.

 

Supporting documents: