PAPER E

Committee :    FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE

Date :              19 AUGUST 2002

Title :              COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY TASK GROUP

REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TASK GROUP

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 To consider the work of the Community Fire Safety Task Group and its future role.

BACKGROUND

The Select Committee established a Community Fire Safety Task Group, at its meeting on 17 September 2001, with the following terms of reference :-

To support the annual Community Fire Safety Plan in reducing the number of fire, fire deaths and injuries in accidental fires in dwellings; the Group would be expected to :

           (1)       Study the causes of dwelling fires, deaths and injuries sustained in such fires;

           (2)       Identify areas to improve performance in reducing the number of fires in dwellings, accidental fire deaths and serious non-fatal casualties;

           (3)       Contribute to the annual Community Fire Safety Plan, which is the strategy document to tackle the problem;

           (4)       Translate the strategy into a prioritised and timetabled action plan;

           (5)       Evaluate the strategy against the national key performance indicators.

The role of the Group would be to enforce and encourage fire safety within the community, react to local/national trends and progressive ideas.

The Task Group, under my Chairmanship, has met on 4 occasions. Discussions have taken place on the fire risk assessment scheme being piloted in Gunville, installation of sprinklers in domestic and commercial premises, Fire Safe initiative adopted by Ryde Fire Station, safety of electrical goods and furniture and display material. The Task Group has been impressed with work being undertaken throughout the Fire and Rescue Service on fire safety. There is a need to ensure that adequate publicity is given to this and the Chief Fire Officer has been asked to ensure that relevant information is incorporated on the Bulletin and press releases issued, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, to highlight latest issues and initiatives.

A revised Community Fire Safety Plan was to be drafted by the Chief Fire Officer and this would involve consultations with key stakeholders. Additionally members are aware that there is a need to scrutinise action taken as part of the Best Value Community Fire Safety Improvement Plan. Given this it was suggested that this gave an opportunity for the Select Committee to consider refocusing the Task Group, possibly on time limited themes, when the Community Fire Safety Plan for 2002/03 is completed.

OPTIONS

1.        That the Community Fire Safety Task Group be suspended and consideration as to its future be given by the Select Committee when the revised Community Fire Safety Plan has been adopted.

2.        That the Community Fire Safety Task Group continue in its present format.

3.        That the Community Fire Safety Task Group continue but with an amended terms of reference

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Community Fire Safety Task Group be suspended and consideration as to its future be given by the Select Committee when the revised Community Fire Safety Plan has been adopted.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Papers for the Community Fire Safety Task Group

Contact Point : Paul Thistlewood, ☎ 3285

HENRY ADAMS

Chairman of the Community Fire Safety Task Group