Report of Assistant Director Safer Communities

The Panel received a report from the Assistant Director Safer Communities (ADSC) which provided an update following a six-month review into the implementation and impact of the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) decision to stop responding to certain fire alarm activations. 

Members were informed that following the decision to implement a ‘nil response’ to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) actuating in commercial premises presented to the Scrutiny and Audit Panel in July 2021, the first stage towards full implementation had been introduced in April 2022.  The Panel were reminded that the first stage had been to stop responding to low-risk commercial premises during the hours of 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and had been accompanied by a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure that responsible persons understood their legal obligations.  Members noted that the initial change had resulted in 269 calls during these hours which resources had not been sent to, which they would have been previously, and that outside of these hours the Service had continued to mobilise resources to AFAs which had resulted in 543 mobilisations.  Of these, five of the calls were to a fire and two were a fire requiring two or more pumps.

The Panel asked what businesses were doing to prevent unwanted calls and were informed by the Group Protection Manager that the Service had undertaken community engagement events to ensure that businesses were aware of the changes and encourage them to take part in training to ensure that staff understood the need to identify fire and then notify the fire brigade.  Training had also been carried out to make businesses aware of what their legal responsibilities were, as well as ensuring they were aware that their fire alarm systems were their responsibility.  Members were informed that these messages were being taken into the community when staff carried out Home Safety Visits as well as Business Safety Visits.

Members queried what measures were going to put in place to ensure that staff time and capacity would be used effectively if calls reduced.  They were informed that management would be investigating ways in which staff could be used differently, for example by using retained staff to crew high volume pumps.  It was also highlighted that the reduction in attendance at false alarms would assist with the green agenda due to the reduction in diesel use.  The Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) also highlighted that by reducing attendance to false alarms the Service would have increased capacity to assist the police and ambulance services when necessary.  The Panel asked whether there would continue to be capacity to attend a major incident in a timely manner and were informed that a Logistics Officer is on-call 24/7 to advise Joint Fire Control and assist with standby moves to maximise cover in the event of an incident.

Members thanked Officers for the work they were doing to reach out to businesses and communities, highlighting a presentation that had been held at a Mosque in Bexhill as an example.

RESOLVED – That the Panel noted:

       i.          that after successful implementation of the risk-based staged approach, the Service would move to the full implementation of the decision made by the Fire Authority in September 2020 that would result in a ‘nil attendance’ to Automatic Fire Alarm (AFA) calls in low risk commercial properties 24/7;

      ii.          that cost recovery charging remained a future option for consideration following the completion of the Government consultation on the Fire Safety Order and other legislation related to false alarm charging and any subsequent outcomes; and

     iii.          that an appropriate communications strategy, internal and external, would be developed to ensure that affected premises had time to review their risk assessments, train their staff and inform their alarm monitoring services and maintainers.  There would also be communications to staff and the public about the actual and perceived risk.