Agenda item

Group Manager Prevention, Kirsty McCreesh, summarised that BrightSparx was a major campaign based around the Bonfire period that included work undertaken across the Service and with a multitude of partners which had contributed to some of the positive performance reported earlier in relation to antisocial behaviour fires, deliberate fires and accidental fires which. The preparatory work had started in May. The campaign was data driven following the principles of the Equality Impact Assessment and applied information collected from previous years to ensure a targeted approach to issues.

A multi-faceted approach was used, working across many departments within the Service. The Prevention department created the campaign, and the Comms department used social media to promote education packages to schools, community groups and faith groups. The Protection department worked with Trading Standards to assure the safe sale and storage of fireworks.

Group Manager Prevention, Kirsty McCreesh, explained that the campaign involved a multi-agency approach, working in collaboration with Local Authorities, the Police, North West Ambulance Service and Community Groups.

The BrightSparx campaign objectives for 2021 aimed to: i) maximise public and responder safety; ii) encourage public to attend the LFRS’ Virtual Fireworks event or public events; iii) target resources at areas of greatest risk based on incident intelligence and data; iv) address legal compliance regarding safe storage and sale of fireworks; v) identify and work closely with appropriate partners to reduce risk and provide effective and safe responses and; (vi) to reassure members of the public.

Group Manager Prevention, Kirsty McCreesh, informed that the BrightSparkx education package had been delivered virtually to 12,505 learners and in person to 4,683 learners, targeting areas of need. The Service had worked in partnership with local authorities to remove waste alongside arson vulnerability assessments for derelict buildings and, joint working had taken place between LFRS and trading standards with 164 premises recorded and followed up regarding firework storage. In addition, five multi-agency assessment vehicles were used with support by additional flexi duty officers. The Service also worked with the media and had shared safety messages, using social media, that had reached over 3 million people. 

Due to the pandemic, in 2020, the Service had streamed a virtual bonfire event and building on its success, a fireworks display was streamed in 2021. It also provided the opportunity to deliver safety messages and raise awareness of the broader remit of Lancashire Fire and Rescue such as, the cadet unit and the use of drones. The video was broadcast live on both Facebook and YouTube and reached over 20,000 people.

Anti-social behaviour fires during the 2021 BrightSparx campaign recorded the lowest number over the last five years. This was a 29.9% decrease over the previous year and a 52.4% decrease over the five year high of 290 recorded in 2017. The number of attacks on firefighters over the bonfire night period had also decreased over the last five years with 3 recorded in 2021 compared to 8 in 2017, although no level of attacks were tolerable.

It was noted that a debrief and evaluation of the 2021 campaign would provide the basis for the 2022 campaign. It was ensured that the campaign would continue to be data driven and the Service would use resources to the best effect. Planning for the 2022 campaign would begin soon.

County Councillor Singleton raised concern regarding the period around the Queen’s Jubilee which could raise challenges for the Service in June and furthermore, at least 50% of Parish Councils were planning on having a beacon. Area Manager, Simon Fryer, advised that Brightsparx was an extension of the prevention and response work of the Service. The commitment of firefighters and the work of the Prevention department had made a substantial positive difference over the past three decades. Using a targeted approach, the Service was now in a position, through partnership work and the work of Kirsty McCreesh, Mark Hutton and the wider Service, to make a further significant difference to safety in Lancashire.

Councillor Smith commented that the Service made a difference in the area he represented by removing bonfires on public land, however, he raised concern over pop-up firework shops and asked if there was any legislation in place for them. Group Manager Prevention, Kirsty McCreesh stated that the Service maintained records of pop-up shops in Lancashire. Area Manager, Mark Hutton, added that, prior to Covid-19, there had been growing national conversation about tightening the legislation for covering the sale of fireworks for home use.

The Chairman thanked Kirsty McCreesh for her presentation. He was pleased with the prevention and protection work of the Service.

The Chairman extended his congratulations to Jon Charters on his appointment to Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the BrightSparx presentation.