Agenda item

The Chairman raised a question that had been put to him by County Councillor Hennessy who queried whether all Members would receive a copy of the strategic brief referred to in paragraph 2 on page 41 of the agenda pack.  In response the Deputy Chief Fire Officer advised that the document prepared for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services was an internal document that set out the Service position in relation to key lines of enquiry and this would help shape the strategic briefing presentation for the Chief Fire Officer and Chairman to present to the HMI at the start of the inspection. The Clerk to the Authority advised that there were rules in relation to access to information.  Where information would not normally be shared any written requests for access would be considered on a need to know and case by case basis.

The Chairman raised a further question that had been put to him by County Councillor Hennessy who queried the level of progress in relation to the 9 recommended changes to the protection workforce listed on page 44 of the agenda pack.  In response the Deputy Chief Fire Officer provided reassurance that the first 5 recommendations had been completed with the remaining 4 ongoing, some of which related to training which would take some time to complete.

In response to a question raised by the Chairman regarding blue light collaboration, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer advised that throughout the covid pandemic collaboration work had been concentrated through the Lancashire Resilience Forum and there remained some staff working in the vaccination centres.  He advised that a review had been undertaken of the blue light collaboration proposals which had focussed on the Service and Lancashire Constabulary actions.  A meeting had been held recently with Mr Gene Quinn, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Interim Head of Service for Cumbria and Lancashire and it was agreed that project leads would be asked to meet, refocus and draft a proposed forward plan.   It was noted that the Service provided support to NWAS and Lancashire Constabulary in gaining entry to premises in a medical emergency and there had been successful site sharing arrangements. 

The Chairman commented that the Service had very capable staff who could be used as emergency first responders.  This was a pilot from a number of years ago where the Service responded to a wide range of medical emergencies on behalf of NWAS.  The Assistant Chief Fire Officer advised that the pilot had not been extended following national terms and conditions negotiations, this was still an issue of interest among colleagues who were happy to respond in their communities and the positive efforts of staff who made life-saving interventions were very well documented.

In response to a question from the Vice-Chairman regarding support provided for missing persons and the availability of assets, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer advised that the Service operated under the Constabulary who had overall responsibility for missing persons.  Assets available were staff who had received training, 58 fire engines, drone and canine provision.  Positive feedback had been received from NWAS that without support from the Service in locating missing persons outcomes might have been very different.

On behalf of the Authority the Chairman expressed pride and gratitude to staff and volunteers who had, and continued, to marshal and give vaccinations at covid centres.

RESOLVED: - That the proceedings of the Planning Committee held on 12 July 2021 be noted and endorsed.