Appendix 1 - SFRS 6-monthly Performance Report - April to September 2023
Perth and Kinross Council · 29 November 2023
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 29 November 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 1 April-September: 2023/24 MONITORING REPORT Covering the activities and performance in support of the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Perth & Kinross.
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2 ABOUT THE STATISTICS IN THIS REPORT The activity totals and other statistics quoted in this report are provisional in nature and subject to change as a result of ongoing quality assurance and review. Because all statistics quoted are provisional there may be differences in the period totals quoted in our reports after original publication which result from revisions or additions to the data on our systems. From 2015-16 onwards responsibility for the publication of end-year statistical data transferred from the Scottish Government to the SFRS. This change of responsibility does not affect the status of the figures quoted in this and other SFRS reports presented to the Committee.
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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Introduction Performance Summary Performance Highlights 4 5 6 Priority 1 - Improving Fire Safety in The Home HI 1 – Accidental Dwelling Fires (ADF) HI 2 – ADF Fatal Casualties HI 3 – ADF Non-Fatal Casualties Priority 2 - Improving Fire Safety and Resilience in the Business Community HI 4 - Non-Domestic Building Fires HI 5 – Fatal Casualties in Non-Domestic Buildings HI 6 – Non-Fatal Casualties in Non-Domestic Buildings Priority 3 - Minimising the Impact of Unintentional Harm HI 7 – Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Incidents HI 8 – Fatal RTC Casualties HI 9 – Non-Fatal RTC Casualties Priority 4 - Reducing Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals HI 10 – Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) Priority 5 - Reducing Deliberate Fires HI 11 – Deliberate Primary Fires HI 12 – Deliberate Secondary Fires Priority 6 - Effective Risk Management and Operational Preparedness APPENDIX 1: COMMUNITY SAFETY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMES APPENDIX 2: NOTABLE INCIDENTS 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
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4 INTRODUCTION This report covers the SFRS’s performance and activities in support of the six priorities in the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Perth & Kinross, namely: • Priority 1 - Improving fire safety in the home • Priority 2 - Improving fire safety and resilience in the business community • Priority 3 - Minimising the impact of unintentional harm • Priority 4 - Reducing unwanted fire alarm signals • Priority 5 - Reducing deliberate fires • Priority 6 - Effective risk management and operational preparedness As well as supporting the six priorities within the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Perth & Kinross, this monitoring report shows how SFRS activities and performance contribute to the wider priorities of the Perth & Kinross Council Community Planning Partnership (CPP), as set out in the Perth & Kinross Community Plan (LOIP). The figures in this report are provisional, to provide the Committee with the SFRS’s direction of travel within the Perth & Kinross area, in terms of performance against headline indicators and targets. Most figures will not change; however, members should note that there may be some small variations for some indicators when the final confirmed figures are published by the SFRS. The Perth & Kinross Council Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee agreed the new Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Perth & Kinross on 2 December 2020, covering a three-year period. In support of delivering the priorities in this plan, 12 headline indicators and targets have been set, and form the basis of this quarterly monitoring report.
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5 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY The table below provides a summary of activity and year to date (YTD) performance against Headline Indicators and annual targets. It aims to provide, at a glance, our direction of travel during the current reporting year. HI 1 Accident Dwelling Fires (ADF) HI 2 ADF Fatal Casualties HI 3 ADF Non-Fatal Casualties 56 Incidents YTD – 56 Incidents Annual Target – 122 Incidents 2 Casualties YTD – 2 Annual Target – 0 11 Casualties YTD – 11 Annual Target – 20 HI 4 Non-domestic Building fires HI 5 Fatal Casualties in Non-Domestic Building Fires HI 6 Non-Fatal Casualties in Non- Domestic Building Fires 15 Incidents YTD – 15 Incidents Annual Target – 57 Incidents 0 Casualties YTD – 0 Annual Target – 0 0 Casualties YTD – 0 Annual Target – 9 HI 7 Road Traffic Collision (RTC) Incidents HI 8 Fatal RTC Casualties HI 9 Non-Fatal RTC Casualties 37 Incidents YTD – 37 Incidents Annual Target – 90 Incidents 4 Casualties YTD – 4 Annual Target – 0 30 Casualties YTD – 30 Annual Target – 67 HI 10 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals HI 11 Deliberate Primary Fires HI 12 Deliberate Secondary Fires 212 Incidents YTD – 212 Incidents Annual Target – 615 Incidents 16 Incidents YTD – 16 Incidents Annual Target – 32 Incidents 57 Incidents YTD – 57 Incidents Annual Target – 76 Incidents Year-to-Date Legend Below headline target Less than 10% above headline target More than 10% above headline target
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6 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS During the reporting period the SFRS attended a total of 1127 incidents across Perth & Kinross. Of the 12 headline indicators and targets, the following performance should be noted: HI 1 - There were 56 Accidental Dwelling Fires (ADF) reported. Fire damage at 41 incidents was reported as limited to item of ignition and 7 limited to the room of ignition requiring a hosereel or CO2 extinguisher. Twenty-Eight properties were fitted with smoke detection, of which 22 operated and gave early warning to the occupants. The main cause was cooking and human contributing factor being distraction, 7 with drugs or alcohol being involved. HI 2 / HI 3 - Unfortunately there were 2 ADF Fatal Casualties and 11 ADF Non-Fatal Casualties which is an increase on the previous reporting period. HI 4 - There were 15 Non-Domestic Building Fires which reflects a decrease on the previous period (19). Four incidents resulted in minor damage, 1 involved the floor of origin, 3 limited to room of origin and 7 with limited to item of ignition. At 6 of these incidents’ firefighters extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher or hosereel. HI 5 / HI 6 – There were 0 Non-Domestic Fatal Fire Casualties and 0 Non-Domestic Casualties recorded during this period. HI 7 - We attended 37 Road Traffic Collision’s (RTCs) to assist with scene safety or to extricate occupants trapped as a result of a collision. Reporting a decrease in comparison to the previous period. Of the 37 incidents attended, 9 incidents required technical extrication to release casualties. HI 8 / HI 9 - Of the 37 RTC incidents we attended, there were 4 RTC Fatalities and 30 Non-Fatal Casualties from around the P&K area. HI 10 - The SFRS mobilised to 212 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) incidents from a total of 717 False Alarms during the reporting period, a reduction of 134 UFAS incidents. Schools were responsible for 58 activations in Q1-Q2 2022/23 which has reduced to 21, Offices 19 reducing to 4. HI 11 / HI 12 - There were 16 Deliberate Primary Fires reported. 8 involved crop or woodland, 3 occurred within a building at HMP Perth, 3 involved vehicles and 2 outdoor structures. There were 57 Deliberate Secondary Fires reported. There were no trends identified, with incidents spread across all ward areas however 33 incidents occurred within Perth. Our firefighters continue to train in all aspects of their role to ensure they are operationally prepared and we continue to gather information on local risks to assist us in an emergency through our Operational Intelligence visits. We continue to deliver face to face engagement in partnership within our communities to ensure we can continue to help those who are most vulnerable.
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7 Indicator Description HI 1 – Accidental Dwelling Fires The largest single type of primary fire within P&K, our aim is to reduce the rate of ADF’s in the home and their prevention in a key focus of the SFRS community safety activity. HI 2 – ADF Fatal Casualties People for whom fire has been clearly identified as the cause of death, even if they die some-time after the actual fire. HI 3 – ADF Non-Fatal Casualties This counts all types of non-fatal fire injury in the home, including precautionary checks. What we aim to Achieve Priority One: Improving Fire Safety in the Home, meeting the headline targets will also support a long-term vision in the Perth & Kinross LOIP objectives: • Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens • Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives • Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations Performance Management Within Perth & Kinross we continue to work with our partners to ensure we positively contribute to reducing the risk to our communities and staff by analysis of our operational activities and targeting those most at risk and vulnerable, particularly around unintentional harm in the home. These targeted initiatives delivered in partnership will continue to develop and improve as we move forward together to ensure we provide the most appropriate support for our communities with regard to unintentional harm. 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI1 53 51 44 56 122 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI2 0 0 0 2 0 HI3 14 10 13 11 20 PRIORITY 1 - IMPROVING FIRE SAFETY IN THE HOME 0 5 10 15 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 2 & HI 3 ADF Fatal Fire Casualties ADF Non-Fatal Fire Casualties 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 1 Incidents
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8 Indicator Description HI 4 - Non-Domestic Building Fires Applicable to the Act Non-domestic buildings applicable to Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (‘The Act’) (e.g. care homes, hotels and hospitals etc.) HI 5 – Fatal Fire Casualties in Non-Domestic Building Fires applicable to the Act People for whom fire has been clearly identified as the cause of death, even if they die sometime after the actual fire. HI 6 – Non-fatal Fire Casualties in Non-Domestic Building Fires applicable to the Act Counts all types of non-fatal fire injury in non-domestic buildings, including precautionary checks. What we aim to Achieve Priority Two: Improving Fire Safety and Resilience in the Business Community, we also link this headline target to improving the following Perth & Kinross LOIP outcomes: • Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy • Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives • Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations Performance Management In-line with our Fire Safety Enforcement Plan, Fire Safety Enforcement Officers support local businesses to enable suitable and timely legislative fire safety guidance and enforcement to be undertaken. We also continue to engage and support local and national business forums to ensure the right level of consistent information is provided to the business community. 99 Audits were undertaken during the reporting period inc.34 Care Homes; 4 Hospitals, 12 Hotels, 7 HMOs, 14 Prison (Castle Huntly/Perth), 13 Guest Houses and 6 Post Fire Audits following fire related incidents at relevant premises. This involved engaging with local businesses to maintain safety procedures and to ensure the safety of their staff and members of the public. There were no enforcement/formal notices issued within any business in Perth and Kinross. 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI5 0 0 0 0 0 HI6 0 0 0 0 9 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI4 21 20 19 15 57 PRIORITY 2-FIRE SAFETY AND RESILIENCE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 4 Incidents 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 5 & HI 6 Fatal Fire Casualties Non-Fatal Fire Casualties
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9 Indicator Description HI 7 - RTC Incidents The SFRS has become increasingly involved in more non-fire related prevention work, in support of its role in promoting the wider safety and well-being of its communities, including minimising the impact of unintentional harm. HI 8 – Fatal RTC Casualties As a headline target, the aim is to reduce the risk of death from RTC’s in Perth & Kinross. HI 9 - Non-fatal RTC Casualties As a headline target, the aim is to reduce the risk of injury from RTC’s in Perth & Kinross. What we aim to Achieve As well as helping to deliver Priority three: Minimising the Impact of Unintentional Harm, we also link these headline targets to improving the following Perth & Kinross LOIP outcomes: • Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens • Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives • Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations Performance Management RTCs account for a high number of casualties every year which requires a multi-agency partnership approach to reduce these risks to those on our roads. P&K Road Safety Partnership is a multi-agency group working locally to establish reduction priorities and influence the content of the P&K Road Safety Plan. In partnership, Perth Fire Station continues to host the Motorcycle Rider Refinement course which is led by Police Scotland and supported by the Institute of Advanced Motoring. The introduction of the Young Driver Programme and VR headsets provide an emersive experience to users on Road Saftey. Input has been undertaken at local Secondary Schools and HMP Perth with feedback being very positive. A replacement for Safe Drive Stay Alive, the new equipment and material allows users to experience the aftermath of an RTC until extrication. 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI7 31 29 46 37 90 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI8 0 3 3 4 0 HI9 9 16 25 30 67 PRIORITY 3 – MINIMISING THE IMPACT OF UNINTENTIONAL HARM 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 7 RTC 0 10 20 30 40 50 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 8 & HI 9 Fatalities Casualties
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10 Indicator Description HI 10 – Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) Automatic Fire alarms (AFA’s) are fundamental to providing early warning from fire, giving people the chance to evacuate safely. However, to be effective, they must be properly installed, maintained and supported by a robust fire safety management regime implemented by the duty holder. As a headline target, the aim is to improve fire safety management and awareness, by reducing the number of attendances to UFAS from automatic systems in Non-Domestic buildings. What we aim to Achieve As well as helping to deliver Priority Four: Reducing Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals, we also link this headline target to improving the following Perth & Kinross LOIP outcome: • Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy Performance Management UFAS from AFA’s has an impact in terms of unnecessary blue light journeys, redirecting SFRS resources away from other activities such as community safety engagement and causing considerable disruption to businesses. Operational crews continue to investigate the cause of every UFAS incident to ensure the appropriate level of engagement with the duty holder was undertaken when in attendance. Every UFAS incident that the SFRS attends is used as an opportunity to educate the Duty Holder on the impact UFAS has on their businesses, the community and the Fire and Rescue Service. Following the UFAS Stakeholder Consultation, from 1 July 2023 the SFRS no longer mobilise to AFA’s within Non-Sleeping risk premises unless a fire is confirmed. This has led to a significant reduction in UFAS mobilisations within P&K providing opportunities for reinvesting the released capacity into areas that would deliver greater value, such as upskilling, training and further prevention work. 20/21 21/22 22/23 23/24 Annual Target HI10 314 321 346 212 615 Property Types Hospital/ Medical Care 23 Secondary and Primary Schools 21 Hotels 19 Care Homes, Sheltered Housing 13 Offices and Call Centres 4 PRIORITY 4 - REDUCING UNWANTED FIRE ALARM SIGNALS 0 100 200 300 400 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 10 UFAS Incidents 76% 21% 3% All False Alarms (717) UFAS = 41% Equipment Faliure Good Intent Malicious
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11 Indicator Description HI 11 – Deliberate Primary Fires These indicators account for all types of fire that are believed to have been started intentionally. • Fires in the home • Fires in non-domestic buildings • Fires in motor vehicles HI 12 – Deliberate Secondary Fires These deliberate fires cover the majority of outdoor fires including grassland and refuse fires and include fires in derelict buildings, but not chimney fires. What we aim to Achieve As well as helping to deliver Priority Five: Reducing Deliberate Fires, we also link this headline target to improving the following Perth & Kinross LOIP outcomes: • Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens • Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy • Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives • Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations Performance Management The proactive approach adopted particularly around youth engagement endeavours to reduce the number of deliberate fires, particularly secondary fires, as part of a wider youth awareness education initiative. These include a targeted approach working with local schools along with national campaigns during the summer season to reduce this unacceptable, anti-social behaviour. This continual programme of input with regard deliberate fire raising is delivered alongside other educational safety programmes across Perth and Kinross particularly the Perth City area. 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 Annual Target HI12 37 61 52 57 76 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 Annual Target HI11 19 16 9 16 32 PRIORITY 5 - REDUCING DELIBERATE FIRES 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 11 All Deliberate Primary Fires 0 10 20 30 40 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23 HI 12 All Deliberate Secondary Fires
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12 Risk Management and operational preparedness is a key area of work for the SFRS. In Perth & Kinross, this means: • Knowing what the risks are in Perth & Kinross and then making plans, so we are resilient to respond to any event • Being prepared to respond to national threats or major emergencies • Developing flexibility to deploy crews, to take on a broadening role within the community • Firefighters being equipped to deal with emergencies safely and effectively and our stations being in a constant state of readiness • Safe, secure, vibrant and sustainable communities • An inclusive and sustainable economy • An enhanced, protected and enjoyed natural and built environment • Improved physical, mental and emotional health and well-being What we aim to Achieve As well as helping to deliver Priority Six: Effective Risk Management and Operational Preparedness, our activities also support improving the following Perth & Kinross LOIP objectives: • Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens • Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy • Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives • Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations During the reporting period we have delivered our training commitment to operational firefighters, whereby we trained and confirmed their preparedness to deal with: • Breathing Apparatus • Casualty Care • HAZMAT • Road Traffic Collisions • Marine Firefighting • Water Awareness Within P&K, our On-Call Volunteer stations, Kinloch Rannoch, Kirkmichael and Glenshee now have enhanced capabilities which allows them to be mobilised to RTCs ensuing resilience in our more remote communities. In addition Flood Response Stations (Comrie, Blairgowrie and Aberfeldy,) are now fully operational and were utilised during the recent Storm Babet to support Swift Water Rescue Stations. Alyth and Pitlochry have been designated as Wildfire Response Stations and have been issued with specialist PPE and equipment/training will be allocated in due course. Firefighters continue to conduct Operational Intelligence visits to sites within their station area so that they are familiar with the associated risks and hazards and, if required, can take effective actions in dealing with incidents at these sites. They also continue to conduct Home Safety Visits, ensuring that all High-Risk properties were visited and telephone contact made with all Medium and Low Risk properties. Our Development Firefighter yearly assessments are also continuing to ensure that they are developing their skills in line with their 3-year Modern Apprenticeship. We are also continuing our advertising campaign with a view to filling a number of vacant posts within our On-Call stations. PRIORITY 6 - RISK MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
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13 This section provides details of Community Safety Engagement initiatives undertaken within P&K. The Safer Communities Partnership work together to continually provide community safety messages, education, training and support. This compliments risk reduction strategies to support our communities, particularly those most vulnerable. Working collaboratively, it also supports the priorities within the Local Fire and Rescue Plan and the wider Perth & Kinross Council Community Planning Partnerships priorities. APPENDIX 1: COMMUNITY SAFETY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMES
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14 SFRS attended 1127 incidents of which a number had a serious impact on members of our communities and their families. Storm Babet Specialist crews, including Swift Water Rescue Teams from Perth, Ayrshire, Fife, Aberdeen and Stirling undertook a number of rescues and evacuations over the 48hrs as a result of Storm Babet. Also mobilised were Flood Response Stations from across Perth and Kinross and Aberdeenshire to support local Communities with the assistance of Scottish Ambulance Special Operations, RNLI, HMCG and Police Scotland were able to affect a number of challenging rescues. Water Safety Education Programme FF Kevin Stewart has developed a Water Safety Education Programme in association with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) and Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RLNI). Delivered to 1991 primary aged pupils across 7 primary schools. The aim of the pilot has been to refine a programme that will break down the barriers in our society that regularly prevent children in our community from receiving an education in the subject of water safety with the ambition being to scale up to 30 primary schools and 8,500+ pupils in the 2024 campaign. This is followed up by resources provided to the school to allow for in class lessons. This reaffirms the lessons taught in a more focused environment allowing the professional educators to do what they do best; including discussions, making posters and signs etc with feedback to date being very positive. APPENDIX 2: NOTABLE INCIDENTS / EVENTS
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15 “Thanks Kevin, The children really enjoyed the assembly and have been talking about it lots in class since. Their teachers have spoken about their really great recall. Thanks for your efforts in personalising this to Scone specifically – it’s made an impact!” Lynne Lambert - Headteacher Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School Perth Firefighter receives Chief Officer Commendation Ryan Witkowski from Scone received a Brave@Heart award and the St Andrews Award Medal at a ceremony at Edinburgh Castle. Ryan, who is based at Perth Community Fire Station, was returning home from an event with his family when he noticed smoke billowing from a tenement block. On investigation he came across a well-developed fire on the top floor of a three-storey building. Ryan quickly began to evacuate the building and led eight people to safety ensuring that nobody was injured or trapped. Ryan said: “It just felt normal to respond because of my role as a firefighter, but it was difficult for my family who were there with me at the time of the incident.