Agenda item

Mr Tom Cousins, Head of Fleet and Engineering Services presented to Members the Fleet Asset Management Plan (FAMP).  This was the fifth Fleet Asset Management Plan which continued to build on a structured approach to the management of operational vehicles, equipment, breathing apparatus and hydrant assets.

The FAMP was key in determining strategic decisions regarding assets and defining how resources were efficiently and effectively utilised.  This would ensure that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) vehicles and equipment provided a resilient service to meet the changing needs of a modern Fire and Rescue Service and the communities it served.

While the FAMP projected asset replacement over the next 20 years, in reality it set out an improvement plan for the next 3 years.  The plan would be refreshed on a 3-year cycle to ensure it continued to accurately reflect the operating environment.  This approach secured stability in capital and revenue budgets and facilitated the introduction of new technologies through a staged approach.  The FAMP also covered short to medium term business planning improvement objectives.

Running a modern Fleet was a safety critical operation that must ensure employee and public safety. This was achieved through best practice in vehicle inspection, maintenance, operation and procurement. LFRS also ensured compliance to Department of Transport and Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regulations on construction, use and roadworthiness.

Key projects in the 2021/24 FAMP were:

• Body worn and vehicle CCTV;
• Battery RTC Tools;
• Aerial Appliance provision;
• Replace Command Support Units;
• Breathing Apparatus and Telemetry Equipment;
• A Greener, more environmentally sustainable fleet.

The Head of Fleet and Engineering Services advised that in addition to the above key projects, wildfire, flooding and all-terrain provision was currently being assessed.

Running alongside the FAMP, Fleet and Engineering Services department also held an improvement plan, which focused on four key performance areas:

·         Customer – building stronger working relations and meeting requirements;

·         Financial – achieve efficiency savings and maintain a healthy replacement plan;

·         Systems – continued development of asset management systems;

·         Development / Growth – invest in staff training and development.

The above, in conjunction with the FAMP, ensured that the Fleet and Engineering Services continued to provide the best possible support to Service Delivery.

In response to a question raised by County Councillor Pattison regarding appliance availability due to maintenance issues and particularly the availability of the Stinger vehicle, the Head of Fleet and Engineering Services reassured Members there was reserve fleet provision and a management system that recorded vehicle off road time to manage maintenance and repairs.  He confirmed that in his experience, currently the Stinger vehicle was no more prone to defects than any other appliance.  This perhaps was not the case when the vehicle was first delivered 4 years ago as it was in its development stage; the appliance was now a much more refined product.

In response to a question raised by County Councillor Mein regarding whether fleet maintenance was provided by Lancashire County Council (LCC), the Head of Fleet and Engineering Services confirmed that LCC was currently the main provider for the maintenance of the fleet however, some work was undertaken at the Service’s new workshops alongside other specialist providers (ie: electrical work) to ensure maximum availability of appliances.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the report and endorsed the 2021?2024 Fleet Asset Management Plan.