Wholetime Stations Retained Stations Coatbridae

Area: Approximately 471 square kilometres

Population: Approximately 324,000

Number of fire stations: 4 wholetime, 3 retained.

Number of emergency vehicles: 12

Area Headquarters 389 Windmillhill Street, Motherwell MLI 2UG. Telephone01698338100 Fax01698338155 Community Safety Freephone Helpline Tel: 0800 0731 999 FIRE AND RESCUE

REPORT TO LOCAL AREA PARTNERSHIP

GENERAL COMMENT The current statistics for Strathclyde fire and rescue service activity in the Coatbridge L.A.P. area show no discernible trends that would give cause for concern.

There have been no attacks on fire crews within the last reporting period and the instances of hydrant misuse are small in comparison to other areas.

It is not possible to credit this situation to any specific initiative but there are several national advertising campaigns ongoing, which may well be contributing to the situation.

The bonfire night period will provided the service with the usual array of problems but as detailed later in this report, several local initiatives will be undertaken which, hopefully will help to minimise the effect on service users in the area. INITIATIVES

FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

Current initiatives include

'Cut it Out' a programme directly aimed at senior secondary school pupils highlighting the dangers to new young drivers.

Home fire safety visits, leaflet drops in targeted areas inviting occupants to request a home fire safety inspection.

NOVEMBER gTH.

In the run up to November 5ththe service is undertaking a programme of visits to Primary schools in the Coatbridge area to reinforce the safe use of fireworks and fire safety around bonfires.

Also, in conjunction with the cleansing department any collection of potential he1 for bonfires deemed to be in an unsuitable area, is being lifted. This is proving to be very successful in preventing fires prior to November 5thand helping reduce concerns from members of the public.

Finally local petrol stations are being visited by the Area Station Manager to remind them of their responsibilities on bonfire night.

On the evenings of and 5th of November Fire and Rescue senior officers will be strategically placed throughout the area to respond to calls from the public relating to bonfires. Calls will be prioritised and bonfire sites visited by the officers to determine if a fire appliance is required. This should help reduce fire appliance journeys and hopefully help to reduce calls to the police by concerned members of the public. A senior officer will also be located in the c.c.t.v. control room to monitor the situation remotely. It is hoped to update the next meeting on the success or otherwise of these initiatives.

FARE PACK The Area Manager was happy to allow the local fire station to be designated as a collection site for the public to bring donations for local people who have been affected by the collapse of the company.

TYRE CLEARANCE In partnership with the local wardens and environmental health service, the local Station Manager was able to arrange for the uplift of approximately 15000 dumped tyres from a site in Rochsollach Road. Although these tyres were not in the Coatbridge L.A.P. area they had the potential to cause major disruption to the whole Coatbridge area, including Monklands General hospital if they had been set alight. This problem is also occurring in areas such as and is currently being addressed.