To consider Report CFO/044/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 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 2020.

Members considered Report CFO/044/20 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the 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 2020.

Members were advised that through the Functional Planning process, the Service Delivery Plan and Station Plans, the key performance indicators that affect the public in relation to the work that we undertake, are identified.

Some of the key headlines in relation to performance, were highlighted to Members.

Members were informed that broadly, performance is strong. They were advised that in terms of the indicators relating to attendance at fires, those indicators are predominantly green across the board, indicating that performance is ahead of schedule and better than it has been previously.

It was highlighted to Members that unfortunately, there have been 4 fatal fire deaths, which occurred within a very short space of time, during the lockdown period. Members were advised that questions were asked Nationally, as to whether there is a correlation between the number of fires being experienced Nationally and the number of fires experienced within Merseyside, however a correlation between the number of fires and the Covid -19 lockdown period, was not found Nationally. Members were informed however, that one of the fire deaths in particular, related directly to an individual burning refuse, which spread from the garden to the property itself. They were advised that in the opinion of officers, that individual would not have been burning refuse ordinarily, therefore there was a direct link to Covid-19 and the circumstances of lockdown.

It was highlighted to Members that we have had 4 fire deaths over that period; and when compared with 4 fires deaths for the previous year and the year before that, those incidents occurred over a very short period of time. However fortunately, that trend has now diminished.

It was confirmed to Members that although the number of fire deaths has increased, fires in the broader sense, have remained under target; and therefore, performance has been better than previous years.

Another area highlighted to Members, was around the total number of Special Service calls attended. Members were advised that this indicator is for quality assurance purposes, for the Authority to review and remain cognisant of.

Members were advised that the number of calls relating to Special Services that have been responded to, has increased; and it was noted that attendance at Special Services can look and feel like we are supporting other Services. For example, NWAS would have required MFRS to attend more significant incidents over the period, which has resulted in an increase in the number of Special Services calls attended.

A further area highlighted to Members, was around sickness absence. Members were advised that in the context of Covid-19, it would be expected that sickness absence would have increased significantly. However, the opposite has occurred at present, with sickness levels currently being 3.11%, in comparison to the target of 4%. Members were advised that this is particularly good when compared to last years’ figure of 3.63%, which was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. They were also advised that when Covid related sickness absence is removed from the statistics, the sickness absence level would be as low as 2.54%.

It was highlighted to Members, that this is due to staff making themselves available throughout the pandemic. They were advised that some staff have been able to work from home, however those who deliver risk critical training have maintained the training centre; and those staff on the frontline in Prevention, Protection and Operational Response roles, have continued to operate throughout the pandemic. Therefore, sickness levels being so low is testament to the commitment of those individuals, to the people of Merseyside.

A question was asked by Members around how our statistics compare with other FRS’, for example, did other Services see the same increases in deliberate dwelling fires during the pandemic. Members commented that it would be a useful comparison, to see if the same issue is reflected across all FRS’, or if it is an issue specific to Merseyside.

Members were informed that benchmarking data with other FRS’ is available, however extracting the information from the Governmental Incident Recording system, is not as effective as we would like it to be, hence why reporting is focused on our data. However, Members were advised that officers would keep trying to provide the benchmarking data.

Members were also informed that as a result of the lead responsibilities that MFRA have, the Chief Fire Officer is well sighted on what is occurring at a National level, the impacts of the pandemic on the number of calls received, and how we compare with others. Members were advised that in relation to the number of accidental dwelling fires resulting in fire deaths, MFRA are somewhat of an outlier, along with a couple of other FRS’. They were informed that initially, officers thought that there may have been a trend, with a number of FRS’ seeing an increase in the number of fire deaths over the lockdown period, however that did not bear true. As such, Members were advised that the issue is just being considered from a Merseyside perspective.

With regards to deliberate fires, Members were advised that again, MFRA have more than most FRS’, however we do a massive amount of work to reduce the number; and we have seen significant progress in that respect.

However, Members were also advised that in light of Covid-19, in areas where inequalities exist, they experience more fires, more deaths relating to Covid-19 and so on. Therefore, Members were advised that the focus for MFRS in the broader sense, is how we can tackle the inequalities that exist, some of which are health inequalities. As such, it was highlighted that MFRA need to look across Merseyside at how we work with partners to ensure that by helping to achieve their priorities, we are also tackling ours, albeit more upstream.

A further question was raised by Members, around the communication of advice around fire safety, given the increase in certain types of incidents.

Members were advised that the Corporate Communications Team have done a fantastic job over the period, around identifying emergent issues and communicating really effectively with the community. For example, in the early stages when refuse was not being collected and people were burning extensively in their gardens, there was a whole raft of false alarm – good intent calls received; and a good amount of communication was issued around that issue. They were also advised that during the hot weather, there was an increase in fires relating to the use of BBQ’s, where people were going out into open spaces and using BBQ’s, but not disposing of them adequately. Members were advised that lots of communications and safety messages were also issued around that problem.

Members were advised that more recently, there has been a great deal of communication issued around the vulnerability and isolation of individuals who were shielding, and ensuring that they are still receiving the care and support required; and also, that they have working smoke alarms.

Members were assured that a whole raft of information has been issued via Corporate Communications, via social media, but also via the press and media.

Members Resolved that:

The attached reports, be approved for publication on the Authority’s Website.