Issue - meetings

10.30

Report (SSC6a) by Assistant Chief Fire Officer  on the Fire and Rescue Authority's next draft five-year Strategic Integrated Risk Management Action Plan (IRMP) (SSC6b), also known as its Community Risk Management Plan,  based on the analysis of both the current and anticipated future fire and rescue-related risks facing Oxfordshire.

This strategic IRMP will form the evidential basis for future annual action plans over the next five-year period, providing the Fire and Rescue Authority with the flexibility to manage the foreseeable risks within the wider context of the County Council’s priorities and pressures.

The report also provides an update on the Government's new Fire and Rescue National Framework (2012) - which sets national expectations - has an impact on the direction of the Authority's Strategic IRMP - and the first IRMP action plan (2013-14) to be associated with this strategic document is the subject of a separate delegated decision paper.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked whether it supports the strategic risk profiling methodology as set out within the 5-year IRMP – as well as the resulting risk analysis and future options for managing the risk.

The Committee is asked to support full public consultation on the proposals.

Dave Etheridge, Chief Fire Officer gave a presentation updating the committee on the Fire and Rescue Authority's next draft five-year Strategic Integrated Risk Management Action Plan (IRMP) (SSC6b), also known as its Community Risk Management Plan.

The report identified 5 main groupings of risks for people and communities of Oxfordshire:

-          Risk at home

-          Risk at work

-          Risk whilst travelling

-          Heritage risk

-          Extreme events

This strategic IRMP will then form the evidential basis of future annual action plans over the next five-year period (the 2013-14 action plan is presented under a separate paper), providing the Fire and Rescue Authority with the flexibility to manage the foreseeable risks within the wider context of the County Council’s priorities and pressures. Following scrutiny consideration of the plan there will be a 12-week public and stakeholder consultation process before final approval is sought from the Cabinet in February 2013.

Nigel Wilson answered a range of questions and confirmed that there are no current plans to reduce frontline staff. Dave Etheridge confirmed the fire services are communicating a strong message to the public to encourage all homes to have smoke alarms. Cllr Heathcoat praised her recent home risk assessment and highlighted the importance of finding an exit route. Oxfordshire fire service remains the most cost effective in the UK.

The committee noted the push for fire stations to integrate into their local communities.

The need for the Fire service to work closely with Environment and Economy who maintain responsibility for engineering elements of road safety.

The Chairman commented on how useful the report with particular reference to the statistics used. Dave Etheridge agreed an update would come back to the committee in the February meeting.

The committee supports the strategic risk profiling methodology and the full consultation on the proposals.

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/082

Contact: Nathan Travis, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Tel: (01865) 855206

Report by Assistant Chief Fire Officer  (CMDSSC4).

This report presents the Fire and Rescue Authority's next draft five-year Strategic Integrated Risk Management Action Plan (IRMP) - also known as its Community Risk Management Plan - based on the analysis of both the current and anticipated future fire and rescue-related risks facing Oxfordshire.

To meet the requirements of the IRMP process, the plan includes options to further reduce, mitigate and respond to these identified risks - with the overall aim of improving both public and firefighter safety. In addition, the analysis recognises the potential impact of the prevailing economic conditions.

The risks are formulated into five main groupings that demonstrate their relevance to the people and communities of Oxfordshire:

Risk at home - risks at home from emergency situations and other risks in the community that are not covered elsewhere (such as Leisure).

Risk at work – risks at work from emergency situations and hazardous processes and materials.

Risk whilst travelling – risks while travelling by road rail, boats and aircraft.

Heritage risk – risks to the wealth of places with historical value in Oxfordshire.

Extreme events – extreme weather, environmental impacts and terrorist activities.

This strategic IRMP will form the evidential basis for future annual action plans over the next five-year period, providing the Fire and Rescue Authority with the flexibility to manage the foreseeable risks within the wider context of the County Council’s priorities and pressures.

An update on the Government's new Fire and Rescue National Framework (2012) - which sets national expectations - has an impact on the direction of the Authority's Strategic IRMP - and the first IRMP action plan (2013-14) to be associated with this strategic document is the subject of a separate delegated decision paper.

If approved - and following Scrutiny in November 2012 - this draft will be subject to a 12-week public and stakeholder consultation process prior to seeking final approval from Cabinet in February 2013.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to approve the draft Strategic IRMP 2013-18 to be progressed for further consultation & Scrutiny.

to approve the proposed projects to be included in the draft Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Strategic Risk Management Plan 2013/18 for further public consultation and scrutiny.