Agenda item

This report provided Members with information relating to operational incidents of note since the last report to the Authority.

The Vice-Chairman complemented all involved in the major incident in Wyre (detailed on page 155).

Councillor Smith commented that waste recycling site fires were frequently reported, and this report included 2 (in Darwen and Morecambe).  He queried whether there was anything specific in place to combat these types of incidents.  In response the Deputy Chief Fire Officer advised that this type of incident was of national concern and the Service engaged at a national level through the National Fire Chiefs Council.  Part of the Service’s water management strategy included the purchase of stinger appliances to deal with these types of protracted incidents.  The challenge was to prevent these types of fires from occurring and a lot of prevention work was undertaken through links with National Fire Chiefs Council. 

Councillor J Rigby complemented staff from Darwen Fire Station who had supported a vulnerable resident who had been stuck inside their home without power for a number of days.

As part of the report members received a presentation by Lyndsay Sielski, Crew Manager, Response and Emergency Planning and Bekki Ford, Safety, Health and Environment Advisor on the activities and benefits of the Service’s search dogs and wellbeing / trauma support dogs.

The Safety, Health and Environment Advisor advised that she undertook trauma risk management sessions with crews following incidents and the idea of wellbeing dogs had been requested from a number of people. She discussed this request with the Chief Fire Officer who had agreed the wellbeing and trauma support dog team be developed.

In response to a question raised by the Chairman the Safety, Health and Environment Advisor advised that the wellbeing and trauma support dogs would be used if a firefighter had been to a traumatic or protracted incident which they had found difficult to deal with; they would be able to request to have a one-to-one session with a dog for a cuddle or walk.  This would also provide an opportunity to debrief with their peer supporter.  Another instance where one of the dogs could be requested would be to support a group session where people may have group concerns perhaps about organisational change. 

During a session was an important time for the handler to engage and while they did not signpost or diagnose, they could give pertinent messages to help firefighters look after their own wellbeing.

In response to a question from County Councillor Pattison, Crew Manager Sielski advised that as part of the wellbeing and trauma dog programme the team had been involved with Oscar Kilo (which brought together all the emergency services responsible for wellbeing). 

Oscar Kilo 9 came from scientific research that the Police forces had undertaken to introduce their own wellbeing support dog programme.  She advised that the Service had followed these specific protocols, which had made it more relevant to the workforce than pet wellbeing and therapy support dogs (used for example in care homes).  It was noted that Lancashire Police had their own wellbeing support dog and the Service liaised with all other Fire and Rescue and Police Services through Oscar Kilo 9.  Each year there was a 2?day session (for dogs and handlers) to increase and develop network capabilities. 

In response to a question raised by Councillor J Rigby regarding the wellbeing of the dogs, the Safety, Health and Environmental Advisor advised that the dogs lived with their handlers. There had been a stringent application process.  The peer supporter put in an application form setting out the reasons why they wanted to be involved and why their dog would be suitable.  A suitability assessment with a dog trainer was then conducted to assess the dogs’ behaviour and temperament.  The dogs went through a 6-week training programme which would be culminating in a final assessment that night.

RESOLVED: - That the Authority noted and endorsed the report.