MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON FRIDAY, 18 MAY 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.00 AM

Present :

Mr B E Abraham (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett (deputising for Mr C P Boswell), Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A A Taylor

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr R A Sutton

Apologies :

Mr C P Boswell, Mrs L E Rogerson, Mrs J White

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2001 be confirmed.

60. REPORT OF THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER

(a) 1(1)d Risk Information

The Chief Fire Officer gave members an update on the progress made to date in addressing HMI Currie's recommendation, made in his Performance Review Inspection, relating to 1(1)d of the Fire Services Act 1947.

Over 1,000 premises, industrial and commercial, had been written to by the Chief Fire Officer with the intention of ascertaining whether the premises were still in use and requesting more detailed risk information. It was the intention to store relevant information on computer so that this could rapidly be accessed when appliances were responding to incidents.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

(b) Annual Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/2002

Members discussed the content of the third annual Community Fire Safety Plan. The intention was to focus on prevention to bring a reduction in fires, deaths and injuries.

Members were advised that the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Fire Service and Hampshire Police were working together to combat juvenile firesetters.

The Isle of Wight and Hampshire Fire Services had jointly applied for funding to run a one year scheme tracking arson. The Chief Fire Officer reported that the initiative had received a �30,000 grant to be divided between both brigades for this scheme.

Members discussed how the Plan would be distributed and were told that various themes would be taken and mini campaigns would be promoted on Isle of Wight Radio and in the Isle of Wight County Press.

Members felt that congratulations were due to those had compiled the Plan.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :

THAT the Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/2002 be implemented.

(c) Overview of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Training Needs Analysis - 2001/2002

Members were advised of the training of uniformed personnel being carried out by the Brigade for the period April 2001 until March 2002.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

(d) Retained Recruitment

The Chief Fire Officer reported on the current recruitment campaign for Retained Firefighters.

There were 20 vacancies within the Brigade spread throughout the 10 stations on the Island. Both Cowes and Shanklin stations were particularly being targeted for recruits.

Women were being sought to fill some of the vacancies and members were told that the upper age limit for recruits was 56 years. The Chief Fire Officer stressed that the ability to serve should not be discounted as individual needs could be taken into account.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

61. APPLICATION FOR DTI MODERNISATION FUND GRANT FOR 'THE ISLE OF WIGHT ACCIDENT PREVENTION HOME CHECK SAFETY INITIATIVE'

The Director of Environment Services advised members of the need for a local initiative to reduce accidents in the home due to falls by the elderly. Grants of up to �50,000 could be awarded from the DTI. It was anticipated that a risk assessment would be carried out on the 60+ age group and that an initiative by the Island Accident Prevention Forum would be put into place to reduce falls in the home.

Members were advised that falls were a major cause of disability and the leading cause of mortality due to injury in older people aged 75 and over in the UK. Attendance records from the local Accident and Emergency Unit indicated that 60% of accidents suffered by the 60+age group were in the home, of those 27% were fractures, likely to have been due to falls. Over a four year period an average of 467 fractures had occurred in the home for this age group. The 80+ age group were twice as likely to have an accident in the home. The Director indicated the number of deaths due to falls on the Island were 2 in 1995, 0 in 1996, 5 in 1997, 3 in 1998 and 5 in1999.

RESOLVED :

THAT the application for a grant of �50,000 for a 'Home Check Safety Initiative' be supported.

62. MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME

Mr Bartlett asked the Chairman a question relating to Police activities after two recent stabbing cases in Ventnor.

The Chairman agreed to raise the matter with the Council's representative on the Police Authority.

CHAIRMAN