Agenda item

The Deputy Chief Fire Officer advised that the report updated on the Emergency Cover Review (ECR) 2022-25 implementation, outlining the work that was ongoing and had been completed to date.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) was required to review emergency response arrangements periodically to ensure that provision remained effective and consummate with the dynamic risk profile. This process was a robust assessment of historic data and emergent risk and was delivered in the format of an Emergency Cover Review (ECR).

The changes identified in the ECR 2022-25 reflected the most effective and efficient use of resources for the whole of Lancashire. Lancashire’s Combined Fire Authority (CFA) agreed the proposed changes on 19 December 2022. The changes would result in LFRS:

·         Maintaining all 39 fire stations and 58 fire appliances

·         Maintaining their outstanding response standards

·         Creating an increase in overall firefighter jobs by eight

An ECR implementation plan was developed with five key workstreams, updates on the workstreams were as follows:

Introduce more resilient and flexible crewing arrangements

The changes of duty systems at some stations resulted in the re-introduction of the 2-2-4 wholetime duty system with 24 members of staff, as opposed to flexible wholetime. The Service was still open to introducing flexible crewing arrangements subject to agreement with Trade Unions (TUs).

All members of staff affected were engaged with and changes to crewing arrangements were led by people’s preferences in terms of the duty system they wished to work, subject to skill requirements and the demands of the Service.

A comprehensive training programme was delivered to meet the training needs analysis due to staff movement and the increase in establishment.

Property alterations at Morecambe, Fleetwood and Skelmersdale were completed to accommodate the increase in staff at those stations.

Implementation of all the proposed changes of duty systems and establishment numbers, with the exception of Penwortham, took place on 1 March 2024.

Optimise emergency cover through dynamic cover software

The dynamic cover software continued to be used in LFRS. Control Room Operators at North West Fire Control (NWFC) had received familiarisation on the software utilising the standalone facility on the Lancashire pod. The next phase of the project would see Control Room Operators, over a three month period, continue to use the static pre-defined standby rules whilst considering any variation in movement by utilising the software and recording any differences they would have made. This, along with modelling based on various incident and activity scenarios would provide an overview of the impact of utilising the software instead of the pre-determined standby moves. Following evaluation of these results, it was anticipated that the software would be utilised to determine cover moves based on risk rather than static pre-defined lists. Whilst full consultation with all stakeholders in relation to the dynamic cover software was carried out as part of the ECR process, the Service would undertake further engagement with TUs and staff prior to full implementation.

Strengthen our response to climate change emergencies

Investing in Four Fire Appliances with Off-Road Capabilities

A £500k budget was approved (redirected funds) with projects established and managed through the Service Delivery Change Programme Board. This budget was not additional funding, as the two climate change appliances would replace two standard type B appliances so there was no additional capital investment required.

Although the original scoping identified a larger Unimog type appliance, a significant cost increase along with vehicle limitations had resulted in the scope changing slightly to ensure efficiency and value for money. The larger appliance would be a B-type with 4x4 capability, and specifications were being scoped.

The second appliance would be a smaller 7 tonne vehicle with 4x4 capability. A similar model had been viewed by the LFRS project team in Leicestershire FRS.

Both vehicles would then be evaluated prior to the potential purchase of two further vehicles (one large and one small).

Introduce Flood Water Incident Managers and Flood Water Tactical Advisors

Incident action plans had been updated to ensure that the Flood Water Incident Managers were informed of any incidents within the water or large area flooding.

One flexi duty officer had been trained as a Flood Water Tactical Advisor and was part of the national resilience capability. A second flexi duty officer was undertaking pre-courses and would attend the nationally accredited tactical advisor course once there was availability.

Strengthen firefighting and rescue capabilities in high-rise and commercial buildings

Introduce a 45m Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP)

Due to delays in the motor industry environment, the anticipated delivery of the new ALP was now December 2024. There would then be a period of familiarisation and training for operational crews prior to the appliance going on the run at Preston in early 2025.

Invest in two Additional Water Towers

Due to the delays encountered within the motor industry the new appliances were due for delivery during quarter 3 of 2024/25. The first Water Tower was expected to be delivered around September 2024, there would be a period of familiarisation and training prior to the appliances going on the run. They were anticipated to be located at St Annes and Lancaster.

Broaden on-call firefighting capabilities to strengthen operational response

Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) Driving

On Call staff at both Hyndburn and Morecambe had successfully utilised this skill on several occasions by driving the ALP to incidents.

Command Support Unit (CSU)

The Command Support Unit (CSU) had attended a number of large-scale incidents and successfully supported these over a protracted period. Initially the CSU was crewed by On Call staff from Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth, however following a trial period, the CSU would be supported by Bolton-le-Sands and Hornby stations.

On Call and Specials Review

Dual contract staff at Lancaster had been provided with additional PPE for swift water rescue resulting in the On Call appliance being able to support wholetime colleagues at water rescue incidents enhancing the services response. Once delivered, Lancaster and St Anne’s On Call units would be trained on the two new Water Towers which would provide additional resilience. Further work on the expansion of On Call capabilities to other Special Appliances such as the Water Bowser and Foam Unit was currently being explored as part of the On Call review workstream.

In response to a query from County Councillor Clarke in relation to how old appliances were disposed of, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer advised that appliances had a 15 year life cycle, after 12 years they were removed from the front line and used at Training Centre or as reserve appliances before being auctioned or donated to Operation Florion charity. It was noted by members that two appliances had been sent over to Ukraine.

County Councillor O’Toole remarked that all presentations at the recent Members Strategy Group meeting were excellent. The Chair concurred and empahsised the importance of Strategy Group meetings.

Resolved: That the Planning Committee noted and endorsed the report.