To consider Report CFO/0015/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Service Delivery Plan for 2020/21; including Station Plans.

Members considered Report CFO/015/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning approval of the Service Delivery Plan 2020/21, including Station Plans.

Members were provided with an overview of the report, which highlighted that the Service Delivery Plan includes references to the IRMP action plan, Functional Plan, Station Plans, Equality Objectives and Performance Indicators.

Members were informed that this report utilises estimates in relation to year end performance against the benchmark performance indicators.

Members attention was drawn to the Station Plans, contained within the Service Delivery Plan, with it highlighted that this year is the first year that each station has been provided with a Community Impact fund of £1000, generated through the external utilisation of our stations by private partners; and some corporate sponsorship. Members were informed that the purpose of this fund is to enable staff to utilise it to assist in the delivery of their Station Plans, to better assist the communities they serve. However, it was noted that this has been restricted somewhat at present, due to Covid -19.

Members were advised that performance to date is very strong; and on target to achieve the targets set in all but a few areas.

Members were informed that it is looking likely that MFRA will miss the target set in relation to the number of RTC’s and the number of fatalities on the road. Members were advised that MFRA’s focus has been particularly on young drivers, between the ages of 16 to 25, were some of MFRA’s educational material has been really focused. However, the missing of the target relates to all RTC’s and fatalities on the road, which means that some of the impact is within MFRA’s gift to influence; and some of it less so. As such, Members were advised that for next year, they are likely to be asked to consider changed targets that will reflect the work which is being undertaken in that area.

Members were advised that another area were the target is likely to be missed, is in relation to sickness absence, which self-evidently includes data in relation to Covid-19. However, Members were reassured that based on most recent figures, it is likely that the target will only just be missed; and without the issues related to Covid-19, it is likely that the target would have been achieved.

Members were advised that the report also details the IRMP actions and Equality and Diversity Objectives and action taken; and concludes with the Service Delivery Plan and Station Plans, which are bespoke to each individual Station area, focusing on specific risks and vulnerabilities.

The Chair of the Authority commented on the quality of the documents and expressed thanks on behalf of the Authority, to everyone involved in the delivery of the plans.

Questions were raised by Members regarding the IRMP and whether anything had changed within the IRMP as a result of Covid-19 response, in particular around the tri-partite agreement and added work streams; and whether the usual negotiation processes had been followed.

Members were advised that nothing had changed with regards to the IRMP.. They were informed that at this moment in time, there were 12 additional activities being delivered across the UK, at different stages and at different levels, with potentially an additional couple of activities to be included over the next few days. Members were advised that those activities include things such as firefighters delivering food parcels and dropping off prescriptions. They were also informed that some of MFRA’s volunteers, which include prevention staff and other support staff who have made themselves available, have been delivering face fit testing for NWAS, so they can wear the correct fitting PPE. Members were advised that this has been expanded across the rest of the region.

A further question was raised around whether recruitment and other planned activity around station builds, was continuing in the current situation.

Members were assured that such activity is contained within the IRMP; and was continuing. Members were advised that with regards to the recruitment strategy, it has been planned to recruit 60 individuals per year over the next 3 to 5 years. It was confirmed that this recruitment is continuing, albeit with social distancing measures in places, which can prove a bit difficult in regards to some stages of the recruitment process. However, Members were advised that should recruitment not continue, this would likely create more issues further down the line.

In relation to the build programme, Members were informed that the one outstanding build, being St. Helens, had been delayed slightly due to Covid-19 and the difficulties of having individuals on site. However, it was anticipated that the build at St. Helens would be concluded in the latter part of this year. 

A question was raised around the Community Impact Fund introduced; and whether staff and officers were encouraged to consult and work with local Councillors and community groups to ensure that the funds were targeted most effectively. Members were advised that this is exactly what the fund is for; and that staff on stations are encouraged to engage with the community, in regards to meeting what are potentially challenges within that community, in terms of specific vulnerabilities and risks. Members were advised that staff are encouraged to engage partners in that process, which is a fundamental driver in the provision of the fund.

With regards to Performance Indicators, a question was raised by Members around how targets are set, as some targets are set higher than what has previously been achieved. Members were advised that the targets are set going back over the previous 5 years, to track performance. This process means that should, for example, there have been a particularly wet summer period, there could be a particularly low figure at a particular point, when the previous 4 summer periods had not been so wet and therefore had higher figures. Therefore, the target needs to be smart, striving to improve year on year, whilst being cognisant of particular spikes in performance. Members were advised that work has been conducted around this, which can be circulated, which will inform Members how targets are reached in the first place.

A further question was raised by Members regarding the possibility of providing performance comparisons with other similar FRS’s, albeit Members appreciate that Merseyside has some unique challenges, as will other FRS’s. Members were advised that MFRA do benchmark against other FRS’s; and it was suggested that through the Scrutiny Committee, Members could look in detail at how we as a Metropolitan FRS, compare with other Metropolitan FRS’s, as a similar group; and also, how is that reflective of the challenges that MFRS faces, in relation to other services. For example, high levels of deprivation, result in a higher level of incidents, including ASB fires and accidental dwelling fires.

A further question was raised around the measures of lockdown and if there had been an increase in accidental dwelling fires observed as a result of people spending more time at home. Members were advised that it is possibly a little too early to tell. They were informed that information is being drawn in nationally at this moment in time, with the CFO being directly involved in this work, to try to determine if lockdown has had an adverse effect on people’s fire safety, however there is still some work to be done. Members were advised that as numbers are small, it is difficult to determine if fire deaths are the result of lockdown. However, they were informed that there had been 3 fire deaths between the 1^st of April up to present; compared with previous years were there have been 4 deaths for the whole year. Therefore, to have 3 deaths within such a short period of time, does give some cause for concern; and the situation is being monitored against the implications of lockdown. Members were informed that the same is not being observed around the rest of the UK, hence there is some trepidation in linking the two things at present. However, when you look at the number of accidental dwelling fires, the numbers are fairly consistent with last year’s figures, which is probably a better indicator as to whether lockdown is having an adverse effect.

The Chair of the Authority suggested that it would be useful to have an event later in the year, to receive further information from Officers; and to consider any lessons learnt.

A question was raised regarding the number of emergency calls received, which has seen quite a dramatic reduction; and whether this was part of a long-term trend. It was commented that on the face of the figures, it suggested that this was a positive, however it could be that people are becoming less inclined to call.

Members were informed that the reduction in emergency calls is likely to be two fold. They were advised that lockdown, may have been a contributor in terms of reducing the number of incidents, as people’s activity has been restricted. However, they were informed that the reduction is mainly due to a concerted effort to prevent incidents occurring in the first place. Members were informed that there has only been a slight increase in the number of automatic fire alarms during the period of lockdown, with the vast majority of incident types reducing. The figures showing the reduction in the number of deliberate secondary fires over recent years, was highlighted to Members, which is the direct result of work undertaken around preventing those fires occurring.

Members were also advised that 2018/19 was when we had particularly hot weather, therefore we are comparing a hot, difficult year, with one in which we performed better.

A further question was raised around mental health, in particular related to the current pandemic. It was commented that there are a lot of people now working from home, who are isolated, with the added anxiety of productivity whilst working from home; and Members requested some additional information in terms of what the Authority are doing with regards to supporting staff with their mental health; and how we can improve our support to those individuals during this time. Members also asked if there was information available regarding how many people are accessing external support at this time.

Members were informed that MFRA are excellent at supporting the mental wellbeing of its staff. They were advised that there are a number of staff who are self-isolating given that they fall into the at risk categories, however line managers have been maintaining regular contact with those individuals. Members were advised that even when considering our normal provision for staff, there is significant support in place, which does extend to employee assistance outside of the service, where individuals and their families, can access support and advice, if it is affecting their ability to come in to work, or their wellbeing. They were informed that this does extend to counselling; and that there is also an in-house provision, within the Occupational Health Team.

Members were also advised that the HMICFRS Inspection for MFRS in relation to where it was felt we were outstanding, was focused around the wellbeing of our staff.

It was highlighted to Members that there have been a number of staff who had unfortunately lost loved ones over the past few weeks; and the Chief Fire Officer has spoken to those individuals personally, demonstrating that we have an organisation and individuals within it, working at every level, who care passionately about its people; and has the most robust welfare arrangements in place of any FRS.

Members were informed that Officers are always keen to learn and improve in this area, therefore if anyone has any thoughts or ideas as to how we can do that, Officers are more than happy to explore those suggestions.

A follow up comment was made by Members, that we are in unchartered waters at the moment and although it was accepted that our current provision is fantastic, they just wanted to be assured that there isn’t more that could be done to support our staff, as they are aware of an increase in individuals accessing emergency mental health assistance during this pandemic. Therefore, they would like to look at how many staff are accessing the support available; and commented that they were happy to be involved in this work as much as possible.

Members were informed that their input would be welcomed in this regard. They were also advised that a survey had been issued to staff recently, which asked questions around support; and if there was anything else that could be done to assist them, which may be useful information for any next steps. They were also advised that information could be provided with regards to the number of people accessing the employee assistance provision, which again, can be used to inform any next steps.

The Chair of the Authority commented that discussions have taken place around more agile working and working in a different way, rather than individuals simply working from home and being isolated. He also commented that some time ago, the Authority made a commitment to give the mental wellbeing of its staff, very high priority; and in discussions with the FBU at a national level, it is recognised that there are few organisations doing as much as we are in this area.

Members commented positively around the social media messages being put out by MFRA, which have been fantastic; and felt that other organisations could learn a lot from us in this regard.

Members Resolved that:

The attached Service Delivery Plan (Appendix 1) and Station Plans (Appendix 2) for 2020/21, be approved for publication on the Authority’s website (in a designed format).