Service Plan with Extension Year 2015 - 2021 Contents

Service Plan with Extension Year 2015 - 2021 Contents 3 Foreword 16 Integrated Risk Management 16 Introduction 4 Shropshire in context 17 What are the risks? 24 How are we doing? 6 How we are governed 37 What more do we plan to do? 42 What resources do we need? 7 Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service 48 Consultation and engagement 8 Vision, Mission, Aims and Targets 49 Action Plan 2015-2021 10 Financial planning 51 Appendix A Stakeholder Organisation 13 Improving the way we work 52 Appendix B Glossary 2 Service Plan with extension year 2015 - 2021 Foreword This is Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority’s Service Plan for the period 2015 to 2020 and it sets out how we aim to achieve our objectives of reducing the incidence of fires and other emergencies in our community. Over the next five years there are undoubtedly challenges ahead as the number of traditional fire related risks continues to fall but the pressures on the Authority continue to increase. There are now diverse risks and threats, such as those posed by climate change and terrorism. These changes are coupled with a very uncertain funding future for the Authority as the period of economic austerity is forecast to continue throughout the period covered by this Plan. At the core of the Service Plan is the Integrated Risk Management process, which works to ensure that we direct resources to the areas of greatest need. This is based upon risk analysis and assessment to ensure the correct resources, expertise and knowledge are in place to deliver our vision of “Putting Shropshire’s Safety First”. In preparing for future challenges we have also reviewed our information systems and set ourselves a programme of work to change the way we do things. By exploiting modern technology across all of our workplaces and reducing duplication and paperwork we can achieve better outcomes without the need to increase staffing levels. April 2015 sees the start of a number of key reviews. As they are concluded, any activities that result will be incorporated into our existing robust performance management framework. We will work with partners wherever possible to meet our strategic objectives as effectively as we possibly can. The Service Plan is supported by an Annual Plan. Both are reviewed and agreed by the Authority annually in February. The current economic circumstances, in particular the continuing uncertain outlook for public finances, present real challenges for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service as we face further reductions in our budget in coming years. We will continue to take every opportunity to consult our local communities on potential major changes to ensure that we are meeting the needs of local people and giving them an effective voice in determining the Fire and Rescue Service they want to see delivered in Shropshire. Councillor Stuart West John Redmond Chair of the Chief Fire Officer Fire Authority 3 Shropshire in Context Shropshire is England’s largest inland county. The impact and consequences of social For administrative purposes it is split into two deprivation is also present in the rural and the unitary authorities: Shropshire Council and urban areas of the County. Telford & Wrekin Council. Although there are people from all over the world Shropshire covers an area of 3,487 km2 living in Shropshire, the proportion of people (1,347 sq. miles) and borders Wales, Cheshire, from Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire is low. There is a predominantly white British and West Midlands. It contains numerous small population of 92.6%, with 7.4% of the population towns and villages but the population and from Black Minority Ethnic communities (2011 economy is mainly centered on Shrewsbury, census). Other numerically significant minority Telford, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow. communities are, African Caribbean people, The risks faced by the Service range from the Chinese people, Eastern European Migrant challenges posed by the predominately rural, Workers, Gypsies and Travellers, South Asian sparsely populated community, through to people and Eastern European Migrant Workers. the potential impact of international terrorism. Across the County 8.9% of people define Shropshire is home to approximately 473,000 themselves as ‘limited a lot’ by an impairment or people living in 214,000 residential dwellings illness (2011 census). Realistically this probably and its communities present many challenges understates actual levels of disability within the and risks. area, presenting further challenges for service delivery. Demographic Profile The elderly population is growing. Shropshire Socio economic profile has one of the highest proportions of over 65 Another significant correlation in terms of risk year olds in the country. Today, 25.8 per cent of fire is deprivation. Studies show that the of the local population is made up of over 65s, incidence of fire increases more in deprived compared to an average of 16.5 per cent across areas. Map 1 shows the areas, which experience the UK, and that figure is set to rise to 37.3 per the highest incidence of multiple deprivation, i.e. cent by 2031. Analysis of incident data shows low employment, low income, joblessness and that elderly people are one of the groups most low educational attainment. It is in these areas vulnerable to fire. that prevention and protection work is focused, Shropshire is one of the UKs most rural and usually in conjunction with other agencies such sparsely populated counties. As a result there as the Local Authorities and the Police. is an increased cost of providing a Fire and Rescue Service compared to urban areas. This is because of the need to provide strategically located fire stations in areas of low population in order to provide an emergency response as quickly as possible. 4 Map 1 – Index of Multiple Deprivation Rank The Business Community Consequently a proactive prevention and The Service protects over 18,000 commercial protection strategy aims to reduce the incidence premises and the 10,000,000 people, who visit and impact of fire on local businesses. This Shropshire each year for leisure, business or strategy extends to hospitals, education study. establishments and nationally and internationally A thriving business sector is important for the important heritage sites like Ironbridge Gorge. local economy and general social wellbeing. 5 How we are governed Sustainability and the Environment Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Shropshire has extensive Areas of Outstanding is accountable to the people of Shropshire and Natural Beauty, which the Service works to Members have a responsibility to ensure that the maintain and protect from damage. The natural Service is well governed. They are also involved in environment also presents other risks. These all consultations with local communities and staff. include the impact of flooding, especially on the The Authority is responsible for the overall towns and villages along the River Severn and its corporate governance of the organisation, tributaries; and grass and moorland fires that can its strategic direction, setting its budget and occur following long periods of dry weather. establishing and monitoring management goals We aim to provide a sustainable fire service, one and performance against those goals. Business which meets the needs of Shropshire’s current must also be conducted in accordance with communities, without compromising the ability legislation, regulation and government guidance of other or future communities to meet their own to ensure that proper standards of conduct, needs. In order to do this we actively manage the probity and professional competence are set and positive and negative impacts on both communities adhered to. and the environment. Several committees support the Fire Authority in We have adopted an environmental policy to carrying out its functions. Their meeting dates and ensure that we actively manage our activities to reports are available on our website. minimise any negative environmental impact. We National legislation places the statutory will take all measures reasonably practicable to responsibility for provision of fire and rescue improve our environmental performance. Our services upon the Fire Authority. The key performance is assessed using an environmental responsibilities are set out within: management system to ISO1400:2004, and is Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 reported annually through our statement of assurance (Annual Review), which is available on Civil Contingencies Act 2004 our website. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 In addition to legal requirements, the Fire Authority National and Local Risk Registers must deliver the Government’s priorities for fire The risks that the Service and its partners are and rescue services. These priorities are set out responsible for dealing with are listed in local and in the Fire and Rescue National Framework (July national risk registers. These are available online. 2012 and subsequent addendum of 15 December 2014): How we are governed > identify and assess the full range of foreseeable fire and rescue related risks their areas face, make Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority provision for prevention and protection activities is the statutory authority responsible for the fire and respond to incidents appropriately and rescue functions of protection, prevention and response within Shropshire. Seventeen Members > work in partnership with their communities and (local councillors)

Load more