Agenda item

IRMP 2021-24 Post Consultation Report

To consider Report CFO/039/21 of the Chief Fire Officer, concerning the outcomes of public/stakeholder consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2021-24 and to seek approval for the publication of the final post-consultation version, which will be designed before publication.

Minutes:

Members considered report CFO/039/21 of the Chief Fire Officer concerning, the outcomes of public/stakeholder consultation on the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2021-24 and to seek approval for the publication of the final-post consultation version, which will be designed before publication. 

 

Members were given an overview of the report highlighting the plans for 2021-24.  This included that Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority (MFRA) seek to increase the number of fire engines from 29 to 31, which we believe makes MFRA the only service to grow during austerity bucking the national trend.  A hybrid duty system is to be introduced at Kirkdale fire station.  A super fire station to be built, combining Aintree and Croxteth fire stations and the Training & Development Academy – agenda item 5 refers to this change.  A Stinger/Scorpion fire engine to be introduced, which will be based at St Helens, but used all across Merseyside and will replace the Combined Platform Ladder.  Members were advised that due to the changes and where the aerial appliances will be based, the response time to incidents will be faster. 

 

It was added that specialist capabilities will be created at stations and a drone will be introduced that will be managed by the Protection team. 

 

Members were informed that Home Fire Safety Checks will continue and it was stressed that poverty was having an impact on incidents in communities.  Due to this it was announced that smoke alarms would be put up free of charge, as people were more in need of putting food on their tables than paying for smoke alarms that could save lives. 

 

The Protection department would be creating new posts to facilitate visits to High Risk Premises and the Preparedness department will introduce ways of staffing for Fire Control that reflects the demands of the service, but also increases the resilience of the team. 

 

MFRA will continue to provide a high level of support to the whole of the United Kingdom in relation to National Resilience – being more resilient means being more effective. 

 

Members were then advised of the consultation and engagement when planning an IRMP, as the community are MFRA’s number 1 priority. 

 

Members commented on how important this document was to not only manage the Authority, but to keep residents safe.  Staff were then thanked for a very informative and welcomed document. 

 

The commitment to the Blue Light Collaboration and good relationships between emergency service staff were applauded by Members. 

 

Members added how positive the report was and how it is really good for the residents of Merseyside and they were informed that ideas, like the Hybrid system, came from MFRA staff. 

 

Members resolved that: 

 

a.         the responses to consultation have been adequately considered by officers and are reflected within the IRMP 2021-24 (Appendix 1), where appropriate (shown with yellow highlights) be considered;

b.         the proposals within this IRMP have been subject to extensive public consultation (attached), be noted;

c.         the changes which have been made following the comments made (highlighted in yellow), be noted;

d.         the IRMP for 2021-24 and its implementation - which will see further increases in fire engine availability, building on the 2019/21 IRMP Supplement, be approved; and

e.         the IRMP supplement 2021-24 for publication in a designed format, be approved.  

 

Supporting documents: