Report of the Assistant Director Planning and Improvement

The Panel received a report from the Assistant Director Planning & Improvement (ADP&I) which presented the results and direction of travel of quarter 2 2021/22 from quarter 2 2020/21 and the projected end of year results for 2021/22. The report also contained an overview of progress against the Services’ Corporate Strategies.

The Panel asked about the increase in the number of sickness absences.  The ADP&I explained that although there had been an increase in sickness absence from quarter 1, there had previously been a decrease throughout the pandemic and the numbers were therefore returning to pre-covid levels.  The 2021/22 projected end of year result was 9.8 shifts lost per person.  Members asked further about the type of sickness being recorded.  The CFO commented that historically musculoskeletal injury had been a large proportion of the sickness cases, however there had been an increase in mental health related illness, a trend seen across all the emergency services.  The importance of an active well-being policy was recognised and there was work taking place nationally to look at comparative trends.  It was also important to acknowledge the age profile of the workforce.  The ACFO added that the pandemic had presented a mental health journey for many people and there was a support mechanisms in place for all staff.

Members were pleased to note that the issues with the Incident Recording System had now been resolved and queried whether the problems which were encountered would need to be addressed in the forthcoming inspection.  The ADP&I assured the Panel that officers would be working with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Service Liaison Lead to understand the issues in the wider context of the move to Joint Fire Control and she was confident that the Service could demonstrate how the issues had been managed and resolved. 

Discussion was also had over the number of accidental dwelling fires (ADFs) contained to the room of origin which had seen a decrease in performance from 95.2% in quarter 1 to 87.8% to at the end of quarter 2.  Members commented on the importance of recognising the context of statistics when the numbers were relatively low. The ADP&I explained that in the second quarter of 2021/22 there were 90 ADFs with 79 confined to the room of origin and that fires may have already spread before the arrival of crews.  The ACFO added that the overall number of ADFs was decreasing and a lot of positive work had been carried out in this area.  Further analysis of the incidents, such as firefighting methods used and response times, was useful and important to the Service in order to identify opportunities for further improvement.

RESOLVED: That the Panel noted:

1.    the performance results and progress towards achieving the Service’s purpose and commitments as contained in Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    the performance results and remedial actions that had been taken to address areas of under performance in the Fire Authority’s priority areas; and

3.    the progress against the Service’s strategies as at Quarter 2.