Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan

Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan 2015 - 2020 Consultation Document 2 Contents Page 1. Foreword by the Chair and the Chief Fire Officer 4 2. Introduction 5 3. Putting Shropshire’s Safety First 7 4. Regional Collaboration Statement of Intent 9 5. Identifying existing risks 10 6. Evaluating the effectiveness of current arrangements 22 7. Identifying improvement opportunities and determining policies and standards 34 8. Determining resource requirements 43 9. Consultation 52 Appendix A Action Plan for 2015 to 2020 54 Appendix B List of stakeholder organisations 55 Appendix C Glossary 56 3 Foreword by the Chair and Chief Fire Officer Councillor Stuart West John Redmond Chair of the Fire Chief Fire Officer Authority The public of Shropshire is safer than ever before. The last ten years have seen a reduction in accidental fires, deliberate fires and other types of emergencies. This plan sets out how we aim to continue keeping the public of Shropshire safe in their homes, workplaces and on our roads. There are new challenges for the Fire and Rescue Authority. The continuing threat of terrorism, the impact of climate change, an ageing population, all set against the need to cut the national budget. Fire and Rescue Authorities need to have a thorough understanding of the risk profile in their area. They need to prioritise the use of their resources to reduce or ideally, eradicate the risks identified. This remains the fundamental basis of our approach to delivering a first class fire and rescue service as we strive for constant improvement. As a result of the government austerity programme Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has seen a significant cut in its budget. This Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) re-iterates our commitment to attending life risk incidents as quickly and as safely as we can, to working with partners whenever possible to achieve our mutual aims and reflects the public’s desire for us to report our performance against our published response standards. It describes a dynamic Service delivered in the most effective and efficient way. We are proud of the achievements we have attained in past years and will endeavor to maintain this level of service, however with the current economic situation and the difficulties facing our communities, we accept this will present a constant challenge. In light of this it is more important than ever that our prevention and protection work is the foundation of our activity. We will need to use the money available to us to target our resources in the areas of greatest risk, to stop fires and other emergencies from occurring in the first place. Finally, we would like to reassure you that we will continue to respond effectively to emergencies when we are needed. We have worked hard to anticipate the impact of the financial reductions and reduce the effect they will have on our communities by identifying options that will provide a sustainable service. We remain absolutely committed to providing our communities with a first-class Fire and Rescue Service. 4 Introduction In 2004 the Government produced guidance which was issued to all Fire and Rescue Authorities requiring them to produce Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMPs). This is Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services IRMP for 2015 – 2020. This Plan complements the Corporate Strategic Plans and will be reviewed and refreshed on an annual basis. What is Integrated Risk Management Planning? Integrated risk management planning plays a key role in identifying, assessing and mitigating the risks faced by the communities of Shropshire. The requirement for Fire and Rescue Authorities to develop IRMPs has been included within the Government’s Fire and Rescue National Framework for England (published July 2012): “Each fire and rescue authority must produce an integrated risk management plan that identifies and assesses all foreseeable fire and rescue related risks that could affect its community, including those of a cross-border, multi-authority and/or national nature. The plan must have regard to the Community Risk Registers produced by Local Resilience Forums and any other local risk analysis as appropriate.” To achieve this, the Service must identify, analyse and prioritise the existing and potential risks within Shropshire. It is also necessary to have a knowledge of what is happening at a national level, as this may also impact on the County. Integrated Risk Management Planning is an ongoing process which can be summarised by the following chart (Figure 1): Identifying Existing Risks. Evaluate Effectiveness of Current Arrangements Identify improvement Opportunities and Determine Policies and Standards Determine Resource Requirements Consultation Implement changes Figure1 - IRMP Process flowchart 5 SFRS record and analyse the number, type, geographical location and time of day of all incidents (fires, road traffic collisions, other special services e.g. flooding, water rescue, rescue from height, and other assistance to the public or other agencies). By doing this the Service can understand what type and number of resources it needs to provide, and establish in which areas and at what times (of the day, week, month or year) they are required. Although the risk to property, infrastructure, environment and heritage are of significant importance in the work the Service does, it is risk to life that is given the highest priority. The IRMP must clearly demonstrate how the Service will use its Prevention, Protection and Response resources to best effect, to combat these risks: Prevention – involves educating people about the risks from fire and other emergencies in an effort to stop incidents occurring Protection – ensuring buildings have appropriate means of escape and other safety features that improve public safety in the event of a fire Response - dealing with the effects of an incident, on those unfortunate occasions when they occur. The ongoing review of this IRMP will ensure SFRS will continue to protect a growing and changing population from the extant, new and changing risks to which Shropshire is exposed. The IRMP therefore demonstrates how the Service is focused on its mission of ‘Putting Shropshire’s Safety First’. The structure of this plan is based on the methodology outlined in the 2004 IRMP guidance document, as depicted in the diagram above (Figure 1). 6 Putting Shropshire’s Safety First Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service - Our purpose Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority sets out its objective to reduce the risk experienced by the communities of Shropshire via the Service’s Mission Statement, which is to; Save and protect life, property and the environment from fire and other emergencies The organisation's vision and mission is most readily identifiable through its motto – Our aims In working towards the mission, the Service aims to: Be there when you need us in an emergency with a professional and well equipped team Reduce the number of fires in our community Reduce the number of fire related deaths and serious injuries Deliver a fire and rescue service, which provides value for money for our community now and into the future Our core values underpin all of our activities, clearly outlining the expectations we have of our staff, but also how the Service does its business: Service to the community We value service to the community by: Working with all groups to reduce risk Treating everyone fairly and with respect Being answerable to those we serve Striving for excellence in all we do People We value all our employees by practicing and promoting: Fairness and respect Recognition of merit Honesty, integrity and mutual trust Personal development Co-operative and inclusive working Diversity We value diversity in the Service and the community by: Treating everyone fairly and with respect Providing varying solutions for different needs and expectations Promoting equal opportunities in employment and progression within the Service Challenging prejudice and discrimination 7 Improvement We value improvement at all levels of the Service by: Accepting responsibility for our performance Being open-minded Considering criticism thoughtfully Learning from our experience Consulting others The Fire and Rescue Authority has a set of public value measures that are linked to each of its aims and ensure that the Service is constantly striving for service improvement across all of its activities. 8 Regional Collaboration Statement of Intent In implementing any change required by this document, SFRS will be cognisant of the need to work jointly with other Services, with particular regard to the principles outlined in the West Midlands Fire Services’ Regional Collaboration Statement. West Midlands Fire Services’ Regional Collaboration Statement The five Fire and Rescue Services of the West Midlands region have committed to closer working for the benefit of their communities future. The following statement details the nature of that working relationship and has been adopted by the five Fire and Rescue Authorities. The communities within the West Midlands Region are served by the five Fire and Rescue Services of Shropshire, Hereford & Worcester, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and West Midlands. These five Services operate as distinct operational, legal and local government led entities in accordance with the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. Despite these separate local identities, the elected members and principal officers recognise the clear operational and organisational

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