Information

1   Welcome and introductions.

Attendees:

• PFCC Danielle Stone (DS)
• DPFCC Marianne Kimani (MK)
• Jonny Bugg (JB)
• Paul Fell (PF)
• Vaughan Ashcroft (VA)
• CFO Nikki Watson (NW)
• ACFO Jim Powell (JP)
• ACFO Phil Pells (PP)
• Area Manager Mick Berry (MB)
• Nick Alexander (NA)
• Stuart McCartney (SMc)

DS welcomed everyone to the problem-solving meeting.

2   Action Log

The action relating to control room updates was in hand and it was agreed to close the action off. The action relating to Mounts Fire Station will be picked up and the final action relating to VAWG had been completed.

3   Demand and availability

These matters were dealt with together, given some of the key links between them.

The Chief Fire Officer provided the meeting with an overview relating to demand on the service along with on-call availability and response times. The increases in demand were explained and work has been and continues to be undertaken to better understand demand data. There has been an increase in Vision recorded incidents due to improvements in internal Fire Control Room processes, which in itself is useful as it provides a more reflective data set of those demands placed upon the staff who undertake this role. There was also an increase in actual demand in Quarter 1 but not as significant. Reasons for this were discussed later in the meeting.

The Commissioner raised the public’s concern in relation to recent deliberate fires and the service explained work was underway to help mitigate risk. The Commissioner then sought assurance relating to the involvement of young people in starting deliberate fires and questions were asked in relation to what links are in place with policing. The Service responded. An action was agreed to speak to the Chief Constable about this issue and the work of the Arson Task Force. The Commissioner also felt there should be work in relation to this about communicating such information further. The Service then updated the Commissioner in relation to Accidental Fires. The biggest factor in increases were fires in the open earlier in the year, reflective of a seasonal trend impacted upon by good weather. They noted that with the better data they now have access to, they can do more targeted work to prevent fires.

The Service then turned to Demand and Availability and updated the Commissioner on recruitment of retained firefighters. The issue of retention was raised as it was a national issue. The service noted that the Home Office were doing some work on this issue which could provide useful learning. There were links identified between increased difficulties in recruitment and retention of retained firefighters and appliance availability at time, but the Commissioner was assured by the Chief Fire Officer and her team that this was not creating a risk at this point.

The Commissioner concluded the discussion and noted she was reassured with the briefing she had received. This was particularly so in relation to the better us of data to make more informed decisions.

4   Fire Control

The Service updated the Commissioner in relation to the work being undertaken with the fire control room and the progress being made in delivering agreed actions.  The Commissioner raised the issue of health and wellbeing within the workplace and sought reassurance that this was being addressed. The Service then updated the Commissioner in relation to their joint work with Warwickshire and how this could help support control room staff.

It was reported that following the tragic fire in Rushton in Mrach this year the Phase 1 actions identified following a review had been implemented and progress was positive. New additional staff members had been recruited and will be in place in November.

The Commissioner agreed with the proposition put to her that a fuller decision on any Fire Control changes could be made in the New Year but by April 2026 and at this point in time the strategic direction of travel was to be enhancement of the current operational arrangements in place with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The Commissioner stated that she was assured and impressed with the quality of the report provided to her on this matter, which she thought reflected the detailed understanding of the issues affecting Fire Control and its importance.

The Commissioner was assured with the work being undertaken and then received a briefing on the further work being undertaken by the service in relation to improving the performance of the fire control room. The Commissioner noted that as the fire estate develops, the issue of staff wellbeing needs to fully considered.

5   AOB

No further business was raised.