PAPER D

EXECUTIVE - 30 OCTOBER 2001

ANNUAL COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY PLAN 2001/02

PORTFOLIO HOLDER - FIRE AND EMERGENCY PLANNING

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to inform Members of the content of the third Annual Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/02 and to seek a recommendation to adopt the plan in full.

BACKGROUND

The Home Secretary has outlined his wish to see the Fire Service focus its energy on prevention in order to meet his key aim of bringing about a reduction in fires, deaths and injuries. The introduction of local plans, therefore, is an integral part of the new approach to prevention.

The purpose of Community Fire Safety Plans is:-

� To enable Brigades to develop a more strategic data driven approach to prevention;

� To instil a regular planning cycle for Community Fire Safety work;

� To outline clearly a programme of prevention activities and how they can contribute to achieving the Brigade's objective of creating communities which are safe from the risk of fire.

Community Fire Safety has been accorded a high priority by Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate during Brigade Inspections. Within the overall inspection arrangements, inspection teams will look at Brigade Community Fire Safety Plans to assess whether the approach taken is in line with Best Value and best practice criteria.

The main focus of Community Fire Safety is on accidental dwelling fires in the home, which is where most casualties tend to occur and which is also the main focus of most education and publicity work. The plans are expected to reflect this and analysis of data is expected to show for example, what trends are for accidental dwelling fires and casualties. However, this does not preclude the inclusion of wider prevention efforts (hoax calls, arson, juvenile firesetting etc) where Brigades consider these an important facet of their Community Safety programmes.

There is no prescribed form for the plan, but there are a number of key features, which each document might normally be expected to contain.

The Community Fire Safety plan will be one of a number of interrelated Brigade planning documents. The annual plan will not replace any wider longer term planning which Brigades may undertake. A long-term or strategic plan (Service Plan) which sets out the direction of the Brigade as a whole would provide the framework within which the annual Community Fire Safety plan would sit. The annual plan, would, therefore, complement and support wider long-term plans.

OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS

The Annual Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/02 was discussed in full at the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee meeting on 18 May 2001, where it was recommended that the Executive agree to implement the plan within the community.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Any costs will be contained within existing budgets, or offset from ongoing partnership and sponsorship arrangements.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

At the present time, Community Fire Safety education is not a statutory duty on Brigades. However, both the Audit Commission and the 1994 Interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement, recommended giving Brigades a statutory duty to educate the public on fire safety matters.

Home Office Ministers have accepted in principle the strong case for a new statutory duty and the Fire Service would encourage a swift move to bring this change about.

OPTIONS

1. To recommend to the Council the adoption of the third Community Fire Safety Plan, which will map out the efforts of this Brigade to reduce fires, deaths and injuries from fire within the community.

2. Not to recommend the adoption of the Plan.

RECOMMENDATION

Option 1

BACKGROUND PAPER

� Dear Chief Officer Letter 21/1998

� Home Office Framework Guidance Document

� Dear Chief Officer Letter 1/2000

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Copy of Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/02 attached to this paper.

Contact Point: Divisional Officer Alec Southcott, Senior Fire Safety Officer 823185