Verbal report.
Minutes:
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 in relation to antisocial behaviour fires, deliberate fires and accidental fires. The bonfire period could be a worrying time for members of the public and the Service was aware of an increase in activity around this time. The preparatory work for the campaign began in the summer months.
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. The bonfire period was a peak period for response activity and firefighting resources were stretched with a subsequent lack of fire appliance availability which could, if uncontrolled, have serious consequences for the community. Attacks on responders were more likely during that period and increased access to fireworks often led to anti-social behaviour, particularly whilst fires were being extinguished.
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 Group to deliver a joined up and consistent message.
The BrightSparx campaign objectives for 2022 aimed to: i) maximise public and responder safety; ii) encourage public to attend organised events and displays; 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 BrightSparx education package had been delivered in person to 20,816 learners and virtually to 4,186 learners, which was an increase on the previous year. This package was targeted towards secondary school age pupils and had moved toward in-person delivery. The Service had worked in partnership with local authorities to remove waste alongside arson vulnerability assessments for derelict buildings.
In addition, seven multi-agency assessment vehicles were used with support by additional flexi duty officers. Multi Agency Initial Assessment Team (MAIAT), vehicles were used to aid multi-agency decision making and command and control. MAIAT vehicles were deployed to hotspots to triage and identify areas that had become dangerous to respond into due to anti-social behaviour, therefore reducing risk and unnecessary turn outs for fire engines and leaving them free to deploy to more serious, life critical incidents. The Tactical Coordinating Group (TCG) was set up at Blackburn CCTV hub with attendance from Fire, NWAS and Police tactical commanders. Feedback received from the 2021 campaign had led to the TCG being re-located to the CCTV hub to allow better information sharing. The Command Support Room (CSR) had been set up at Service Head Quarters to provide support and an officer from the Service had been based at North West Fire Control (NWFC) to provide them with support.
Furthermore, media campaigns were launched and included a partnership video about attacks on emergency service workers which received over 59,000 views. This was a high engagement rate of 11.9% compared with an industry standard of around 2%. The number of attacks on firefighters over the bonfire night period had decreased over the previous 5 years. Both attacks in 2022 occurred in the Blackburn area with occurring on Bonfire night and involving a group of approximately 15 throwing fireworks at members of the emergency services.
Following a consistent decrease in anti-social behaviour fires over the previous 4 years, activity increased during the 2022 campaign, however, this was due to an exceptionally low number in 2021. Overall, there was a downwards trend with 2022 showing an 8.9% decrease over the previous 4 year average (taking 2021 as an anomaly). The incident data filtered activity on a district basis which allowed for identifying trends, directing resources and prevention activity effectively. Eastern and Pennine remained the areas with the most anti-social activity.
It was noted that a debrief and evaluation of the 2022 campaign would provide the basis for the 2023 campaign and recommendations were being processed. 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 2023 campaign would begin soon and there were plans for a silent firework display at Service Training Centre with no bangs which would take into consideration those with pets and PTSD.
County Councillor Beavers asked whether the Service could provide support for an annual firework display in Fleetwood as the event would not be able to go ahead if there were not enough volunteers. The Group Manager Prevention explained that the Service encouraged organised firework displays and if plenty of notice was given regarding a shortfall of volunteers, the Service would seek to provide assistance with the help of Fire Cadets and Community Safety Staff. She stated that, in addition to organised firework displays, the Service was considering diversionary activities in areas of increased anti-social behaviour as these had shown to be effective in achieving reductions.
County Councillor Singleton commented that Bonfire Night was a national event and asked if other special events such as the Coronation were considered in terms of anti-social behaviour and firework safety. The Group Manager Prevention stated that events such as the Queen’s Jubilee and the Coronation were rare, however, the Service did link in with the Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF), organised events and representatives at district level. Tom Cookson, Group Manager Response and Emergency Planning worked with the LRF for a joined-up approach to prevention and response work.
In response to a question from County Councillor O’Toole, the Group Manager Prevention confirmed that the sale of fireworks was regulated, with supermarkets being especially responsible with their sales, and the Service worked with partners such as Trading Standards to address the risks posed by pop-up firework shops.
The Chairman thanked Kirsty McCreesh for her clear and informative presentation.
RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the BrightSparx presentation.