To consider Report CFO/012/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Service Delivery Plan for 2021/22, attached at Appendix 1 and the Community Fire and Rescue Station plans (Station Plans) attached at Appendix 2.

Members considered Report CFO/013/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the Service Delivery Plan for 2021/22, attached at Appendix 1 and the Community Fire and Rescue Station plans (Station Plans), attached at Appendix 2. 

Members were advised that this report contains the information from the previous report, plus the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) and access to the Station Plans. 

Specific actions for crews from the Station Plans were emphasised including Liverpool City having a heightened level of focus on High Rise Buildings and business premises.  Heswall focus on vulnerable, isolated individuals within communities who are vulnerable to fire related activities.  Each stations focus is slightly different to reflect the environment and area that particular station responds to. 

Members asked if there were any substantial changes to the plan and were informed that there is not any in relation to the performance indicators but will be for the targets that relate to them.  Targets change over time reflecting the circumstances, which are looked at over the last 5 years.  Operating during Covid19 has meant targets have remained the same. 

The IRMP objectives and actions change and are always reported back to Members and delivered.  The approach and targets are the same and the Station Plans change to compliment IRMP actions.  It has been challenging during the pandemic. 

Members added that due to Covid19, many properties including factories, warehouses and shops are closed and this surely would affect the services response and if not performance.  It has now been 1 year since the lockdown began and Members wanted to thank staff for all the efforts made.  Members are proud of staff and are sure the population of Merseyside are thankful to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority also. 

Members asked what could be done to reduce the amount of responses to false alarm calls and were advised that a number of years ago MFRS changed the response to automatic fire alarms which seen a significant reduction in the number of calls that were responded to, as 97% of calls were false. 

Policy around automatic fire alarms is quite good and robust, but we continue to go to domestic properties where people sleep.  People having call line systems has increased which in turn increases the demand on the Service.  This year because of Covid19 many people were having fires outside in their gardens to burn refuse and the Service was called out a great deal due to this, only to arrive and see it was a controlled fire - these calls were false alarm good intent calls and this also happened more so over the bonfire period during the pandemic.  MFRS would always want people to call them if they suspect or see a fire and the Service would continue to respond to calls. 

There were number of incidents on beaches over last summer were people were not aware of the tides and Members asked if there were any measures in place for people to be aware of or any upcoming campaigns.  Members were informed that over the summer period people make more use of green spaces, particularly Wirral and Formby Pine Woods.  Site specific risk assessments are used for outside areas also and plans are put into place so incidents can be responded to as agilely and as quickly as possible.  As stated in the IRMP, Wildfire Teams are to be introduced at Heswall and Formby to be able to proactively respond to any incidents at these locations.  There have been proactive campaigns around coastal response and safe access to these locations.  MFRS have a good working relationship with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and coastguard and they all educate and inform people about dangers and encourage people to think before they act because of dangers. 

Members added that Local Authorities have dispersal zones currently around some coastal and green areas and it was highlighted that MFRS should assist with partner agencies here rather than enforce.  Members were informed that MFRA Street Intervention Teams are deployed to these areas to educate and inform individuals in these areas.  Members stated they are thankful for all the work MFRA do with all partner agencies. 

Members resolved that: 

The attached Service Delivery Plan and Station Plans for 2021/22, prior to publication of a designed version on the Authority’s website, be approved.