Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
Planning Committee
Meeting to be held on 5 February 2024
Contact for further information – Deputy Chief Fire Officer Steve Healey
Tel: 01772 866801
Executive SummaryThis report provides an update on the Emergency Cover Review (ECR) 2022 implementation.
Additionally, it provides information regarding when changes are anticipated to take place, the work that is ongoing and has been completed to date.
Recommendation Planning Committee are requested to note and endorse the update.
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Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) is required to review emergency response arrangements periodically to ensure that provision remains effective and consummate with our dynamic risk profile. This process is a robust assessment of historic data and emergent risk and is delivered in the format of an Emergency Cover Review (ECR).
The changes identified in the ECR 2022 reflect the most effective and efficient use of resources for the whole of Lancashire. Lancashire’s Combined Fire Authority agreed all the proposed changes on 19 December 2022. The changes will result in LFRS:
· Maintaining all 39 fire stations and 58 fire appliances
· Maintaining our outstanding response standards
· Creating an increase in overall firefighter jobs by eight
An ECR implementation plan was developed with five key workstreams, updates on the workstreams can be found below:
The Service had hoped to introduce more flexible crewing arrangements if agreement could be reached with trade unions. However, the proposed flexible wholetime duty system was not agreed by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The Service subsequently proposed a trial of flexible rota management and leave arrangements, however an agreement could not be reached on this either. Therefore, changes of duty systems at some stations will still take place but with the re-introduction of the 2-2-4 wholetime duty system with 24 members of staff as opposed to flexible wholetime.
Engagement sessions have taken place with all the members of staff affected. Implementation of the changes to crewing arrangements have been led by people’s preferences in terms of the duty system they wish to work, subject to skill requirements and the demands of the Service. Members of staff permanently employed on Day Crewing Plus (DCP) stations have been offered a role at an alternative DCP station or a position at their current station depending on their preference. Some members of staff have secured promotion opportunities. Following engagement with staff affected by the ECR, the Service has collated the preferences of staff who will be displaced and have informed them of their new postings upon implementation of the ECR changes.
A training needs analysis has been completed and training is underway to meet the needs of the Service and staff, although it is anticipated that there will be some short-term challenges around the availability of some of our specialist skills until the training is completed. For example, training around bariatric rescues, where, in some circumstances, the next nearest resource will be mobilised and/ or detachments considered.
Property alterations at Morecambe, Fleetwood and Skelmersdale have been agreed which will support and accommodate the increase in staff at those stations. Station engagement sessions have been held with staff at those stations to communicate the changes to them.
Implementation of the change of duty systems and establishment numbers is planned for the 1 March 2024. All changes with the exception of Penwortham will take place at the same time:
With the resultant changes, there is an overall increase in wholetime members of staff by 8 with 12 additional supervisory manager positions as seen below:
|
Role |
Current Total |
New Total |
Difference +/- |
|
WMB |
31 |
28 |
-3 |
|
WMA |
12 |
24 |
+12 |
|
CM |
89 |
92 |
+3 |
|
FF |
370 |
366 |
-4 |
|
|
502 |
510 |
+8 |
Due to the increase in overall establishment numbers, plus a significant increase in Crew and Watch Manager opportunities arising as a result of the ECR, the Service delivered an additional supervisory promotion process. Following this process, the Service has filled the majority of posts recognising that at a small number of stations there may be some interim acting up arrangements pending further development.
The dynamic cover software is now in use in LFRS, both within the Command Support Room at Service Headquarters, and through the mobile devices of all Flexi Duty Officers. The software has been used successfully during a number of large-scale incidents, and periods of high incident activity to move resources according to the risk.
The next phase of this project is to embed the software and its use at North West Fire Control (NWFC). A standalone facility has been installed on the Lancashire pod at NWFC so that Control Room Operators can familiarise themselves with the software. Further work will take place with NWFC to embed the software into their core business.
Investing in Four Fire Appliances with Off-Road Capabilities
The Service has concluded a procurement process and has awarded a contract for the first large fire appliance with off-road capabilities to Angloco. It is anticipated that this appliance will be delivered to LFRS during quarter 3 of 2024/25.
The Service will now undertake a procurement process to invest in a smaller off-road equivalent. The procurement of a smaller off-road fire appliance is anticipated to be quicker. The ambition is for this smaller vehicle to be in Service within the next 12 months. Both vehicles will then be evaluated prior to the potential purchase of two further vehicles (one large and one small).
Introduce Flood Water Incident Managers and Flood Water Tactical Advisors
Eight flexi duty officers have been trained as Flood Water Incident Managers. These officers will be informed of any incidents within the water or large area flooding, and they will either attend the incident or provide advice remotely depending on the nature of the incident.
Two Flood Water Tactical Advisors are yet to be trained as this is a nationally run accredited course and LFRS are awaiting availability.
Introduce a 45m Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP)
Our largest ever ALP is currently in build and should be delivered during quarter 1 of 2024/25. There will then be a period of familiarisation and training for operational crews prior to the appliance going on the run at Preston.
Due to the motor industry environment, some delays have been encountered, particularly around vehicle parts which has caused a slight delay in the manufacturing of this vehicle.
Invest in two Additional Water Towers
The new appliances are due for delivery during quarter 3 of 2024/25. Similar to the new ALP, there will be a period of familiarisation and training prior to the appliances going on the run, which are anticipated to be located at St Annes and Lancaster.
Due to the current state of the motor industry globally, some delays have been encountered, particularly around vehicle parts which has caused a delay in the manufacturing of these vehicles.
Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) Driving
On Call staff at Hyndburn are now trained to drive the ALP to incidents, they have already successfully utilised this skill on a number of occasions by driving the ALP to incidents. On Call staff at Morecambe completed driver training in November 2023 and are also now trained to drive the ALP to incidents. This went live in December 2023.
Command Support Unit (CSU)
The Command Support Unit (CSU) went live on 1 November 2023 and is crewed by On Call staff from Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth. The CSU has attended two significant incidents since its introduction. Both were large commercial building fires, the first in Longridge and the second being the SupaSkips incident in Lancaster where it provided an effective command support resource over a prolonged period.
On Call and Specials Review
The On Call review is progressing and has identified several additional options to strengthen operational response. These items alongside the implementation of the Specials Review, will see On Call staff being developed to support a number of specialist appliances in the future. The Service is currently exploring options around potentially training the On Call at Lancaster in the swift water rescue specialist skill.
Production of the ECR is a business-critical planning function. LFRS must demonstrate a timely review of response arrangements in line with National Framework guidance issued by central government.
A key driver of the ECR process is to align to our climate change response plan. This will drive our operational response through speed of attack and ensuring the most effective and efficient resource is deployed with the aim of reducing harm to the environment.
A full Equality Impact Assessment has been completed alongside an independent third-party specialist to ensure any proposed changes do not impact negatively upon Lancashire’s diverse community or LFRS’ workforce.
The changes of duty systems and associated operational resource continues to have a direct effect on HR functions. HR are managing this through relevant processes including consultation and engagement.
There are associated training and property expenditure due to the implementation of the ECR, however these are being managed within existing budgets. Any capital spends such as new appliances or dynamic cover software have allocated funds and are governed through individual projects reporting into the appropriate programme board.
Legal implications
LFRS must demonstrate a timely review of response arrangements in line with National Framework guidance issued by central government.
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