Meeting Details

Mr Marc Bayliss, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and staff from the Performance and Information team were welcomed to the meeting.

The Chairman then informed Members of the following:

• Attended the recent Medal Ceremonies in Hereford and Worcester.

• Attended the Service Exercise at Worcester Cathedral along with other Fire Authority Members.

• The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) had taken the decision for a formal ballot regarding industrial action for the pay award, which was rejected earlier this year. The Chief Fire Officer explained to Members that this could involve approximately 240 FBU Members out of 640 operational staff. It was estimated that the earliest time was probably early February for industrial action. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that there should be a reasonable number of operational staff working to respond to incidents, however rural areas could have longer waiting times for emergency service attendance.

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer presented a proposal for the new Attendance Performance Measure for consideration and approval as recommended by the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 15 November 2022 when it had thoroughly examined the report in depth following a presentation from the external consultants, who had undertaken the consultation on our behalf.

Concern was expressed by one Member that the changes would make the Service's performance appear better than it actually was. However, the Chief Fire Officer explained that the national protocol did not include the call handling time and therefore the changes would actually show areas of real performance and be more transparent than the current arrangements. This would enable the Service to compare statistics with neighbouring Fire Services as it is a true comparator.

RESOLVED that a new Attendance Performance Measure be introduced with effect from 1^st April 2023 as follows:

1. Attendance times for a broad range of emergency incidents will be measured across three time zones (10, 15 and 20 minutes from the fire station).;

2. For attendance times that take longer than expected, the reasons why will be analysed and areas for improvement will be identified as appropriate, and quarterly performance for each area will be published on the internet; and

3. Attendance times will be measured from the time the fire station is alerted by Fire Control to the time the fire engine arrives at the incident scene.

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer updated Members on the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) to seek approval on the proposed methodology for undertaking a Risk Review Project.

[Cllr D Morehead left the meeting at 11.14am].

[Cllr M Hart left the meeting at 11.15am].

The proposal is to risk assess all 4,199 1km grid squares across the two counties, using historical incident data, prevention and protection activity over the last 10 years. A picture of risk will then be built up for each grid square. 

[Cllr D Morehead retuned to the meeting at 11.18am].

The Assistant Chief Fire Officer confirmed that a project team with one year temporary staff funded from the existing budget would be established to ensure the work is completed within the proposed timescales, in preparation for work to start on the next CRMP. The Service already has the necessary software for the database and mapping requirements.

RESOLVED that a detailed risk assessment of each of the 4,199 1km grid squares across the Authority’s area be undertaken to help inform the future review of the CRMP.

The Assistant Director of Prevention updated Members on the HMICFRS Improvement Plan following the inspection report dated 15 December 2021.

Members were pleased to note that the action plans were progressing to address areas identified within the three themes: effectiveness, efficiency and people.

Members also noted the delays, caused by external technical issues, such as the Gartan upgrade and the implementation of the new learning management system, that have impacted some anticipated timeframes.

The next full inspection is expected to be in June 2023, subject to confirmation.

RESOLVED that the actions agreed to address the HMICFRS Improvement Plan be noted.

The Assistant Director of Prevention presented the draft Statement of Assurance 2021-22 for approval and publication.

Members were informed that the Statement of Assurance 2021-22 was designed to provide assurance on governance, financial and operational matters. Much of the information in the Statement is already publicly available elsewhere and links are provided in the document as advised in national guidance.

RESOLVED that the Statement of Assurance 2021-22 be approved for publication.

The Chief Fire Officer provided assurance to Members that officers had undertaken an effective review of the outcomes of the Manchester Arena Inquiry and taken steps to address the issues raised by the Inquiry.

Members were reminded that at 22.30 hours on Monday 22 May 2017 a suicide bomber detonated an improvised device in an area known as the City Room, just outside the Manchester Arena following a concert.

In 2018, following the Kerslake Review, the Service undertook a full review of what the Fire and Rescue Service failed on. More recently in November 2022, the Volume 2 Report was published which focussed on the response of the emergency services to the attack. It was identified that due to command and control failings, the Fire Service failed to turn up at the scene at a time when they could have provided the greatest assistance.

Members were pleased to note the actions addressed by the Service to prevent any future failings and that the Service will continue to review their operations, planning and policy for all types of major incidents and prepare accordingly.

[Mr Marc Bayliss, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, left the meeting at 11.48am and returned at 11.52am].

RESOLVED that the measures taken within HWFRS to learn from and address the shortcomings in emergency response following the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 be noted and approved.

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer informed Members of the Service Exercise held on Sunday 6^th November 2022 at Worcester Cathedral and the outcomes from the Exercise.

[Cllr D Boatright left the meeting at 11.54am].

Members who attended the exercise felt that there was opportunity for the Police to be more involved, not just the Traffic Police. The Chief Fire Officer confirmed that this was an unfortunate admin error by the Service.

Members were pleased to note there would be a debrief in order to improve the Service's operational procedures when responding to major incidents that require a multi-agency resolution.

[Cllr D Boatright returned to the meeting at 12.00pm].

RESOLVED that the outcomes from the South District Exercise, the findings of which will be used to finalise the High Volume Pump (HVP) plan for the Cathedral and inform a review of the Cathedral’s salvage plan, along with any other necessary operational points be noted.

The Chairman of the Committee presented the minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 15 November 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 15 November 2022 be received and noted.