Decision details

Whether the Fire and Rescue Service should implement revised automatic fire alarm mobilising arrangements following feedback to the public consultation that took place between March and May 2024.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting.

The Chair noted that the report set out responses to an ongoing consultation exercise, as well as noting the efficiencies in response to automatic alarms.

Officers noted a slight error in the order of preference that was expressed by stakeholders in regard to the different options; with option A being the least popular and option C being the second most popular, as opposed to the other way round.

Officers noted that the report intended to align policies across the Thames Valley to improve inter-operability.

Following a question from the Chair about the policy’s impact on low and medium risk buildings, officers confirmed that the policy would not remove the risk, but that it is at a low level and that officer’s professional judgement would continue to be used in circumstances when the situation may differ.

The Chair thanked officers for their work and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

Note the results of the consultation exercise as set out in this report and the consultation report attached at Appendix Two, and delegate authority to the Chief Fire Officer to:

a) Select amongst the proposed automatic fire alarm response options as deemed appropriate following discussions with other Thames Valley fire and rescue services; and

b) To elevate building types into a higher risk category, either temporarily or on a permanent basis, to manage an identified risk posed by that type of building in the future.