Agenda item

Report of Tony Hunter, Director of Protection, Service Improvement and Performance, GMFRS

Tony Hunter, Director of Protection, Service Improvement & Performance, presented a report which provided Members with an outline of the Service’s annual performance for 2018/19 against the delivery goals contained within the Corporate and Integrated Risk Management Plan 2016/20.

Key areas highlighted were as follows:

·         It was advised that local level performance was managed by Borough Managers who work with partners locally to address any trends. Borough Managers would be contacting Members to arrange a meeting to discuss the local level performance and associated challenges.

·         During 2018/19 there had been a total of 31,786 incidents (fires, false alarms and special service calls) which was a reduction of 3.61% (1,192 fewer incidents) when compared to 2017/18.

·         The average response time for the 1^st GMFRS appliance to attend an emergency incident this year was 7 minutes 14 seconds and was comparable to the 7 minutes 6 seconds recorded during 2017/18. It was acknowledged that this was the time taken for the 1^st appliance to attend the scene once the alert had been received at the fire station.

·         Accidental dwelling fires (ADF’s) had decreased by 5% when compared to 2017/18.

·         Deliberate fires had decreased by 9%  when compared to 2017/18.

·         During July 2018, GMFRS were in spate conditions due to the moorland incidents, which took place during the period 25 June 2018 and 18 July 2018. This was the busiest recorded period of operational activity in the history of GMFRS.

·         Sadly, during 2018/19, 19 people had died as a result of a fire incident, 16 of which were accidental.

·         There had been a total of 14,083 false alarms attended this year, an increase of 1% when compared to 2017/18, 39% of all false alarms originated from an automatic fire alarm (FADA) in a non-domestic property. Members were advised that they would receive further information at a future meeting regarding a pilot which was seeking to reduce the number of false alarms crews attend.

·         The prolonged moorland incidents had impacted on the ability for both crews and community safety staff to carry out Safe and Well Visits. A total of 27,191 Safe and Well Visits took place, a decrease of 18% when compared to the number delivered in 2017/18.

·         The level of sickness absence had decreased from 4.72% (recorded in 2017/18) to 4.03%.

Members raised the following questions and comments:

·         A Member queried whether the level of sickness absence could be broken down by operational staff aswell as back room staff. It was confirmed that this information was readily available and would be circulated to the Committee.

·         Further clarity was sought in relation to the percentage of female firefighters. GMFRS advised that they were actively continuing to encourage under-represented groups to consider a career in the Fire Service, noting that this had been recognised through Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

·         A Member requested that Borough Managers share local level information with Members, in order to understand the specific issues, as opposed to the global picture presented. The request was noted.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the 2018/19 annual performance report be approved.

2.      That further information on the pilot underway to reduce the number of false alarms (FADA) crews attend be provided to the Committee.

3.      That the sickness analysis (broken down by frontline staff and back office staff) be circulated to the Committee.

4.      That the committee’s request be noted regarding Borough Manager’s providing local level performance when making contact with Members.