Witnesses:
Karen Pointer, Assistant Group
Commander, Surrey Fire Rescue Service
Matt England, Blue-Light
Collaboration Lead, South East Coast Ambulance
Richard Jones, Fire Brigades
Union Secretary
Declarations of Interest:
None
Key
points during the discussion:
- The Assistant Group
Commander for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) opened the
discussion by informing the Board that the Service have been
participating in the National Joint Council (NJC) pilot, whereby
the SFRS have taken part in co-responding alongside the South East
Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). The
Officer explained the NJC trial would end on 28 February and that
Cabinet would need to make a decision on whether or not SFRS may
continue to co-respond as a voluntary basis until a decision has
been made by the NJC on whether this will form part of a
firefighters’ role, or
not.
- The Blue-Light
Collaboration Lead from SECAmb reported
that the co-responding not only assisted the Service but also
helped and served residents significantly. The witness gave
positive feedback on the co-responding, reporting that the SFRS,
when available, were able to respond quickly under blue-light
conditions and were on many occasions’ primary responders.
The Board noted that co-responding allowed response times to be
achieved.
- It was noted in terms
of team work and collaboration, shared understanding had increased
between the SFRS and the SECAmb. Both
Services were more aware of the aptitude of their work.
- The Board noted that
SECAmb were also encouraging the public
to use defibrillators where possible, starting lifesaving treatment
before the arrival of the ambulance service. It was stated the
chances of a successful defibrillation declines at a rate of around
10% with each minute of delay.
- It was stated that
public defibrillators could be registered with the SECAmb system, which would benefit the public when
needing to track the nearest one during an emergency situation that
requires one.
- It was stated that
the SFRS were currently responding to Red 1 and Red 2 calls as
these are among the most serious and life threatening emergencies
and going forward would only continue to co-respond to Red Calls
and not Amber or Green.
- The Blue-Light
Collaboration Lead explained that the Ambulance Response Programme
was under review and from April 2017 changes would take effect.
This will remove the distinction between a Red 1 and Red 2, they
will all be classified as Red. Some calls that are currently Red 2
call will become Amber.
- The representative
from the Fire Brigades Union shared the view that the trial was
positive and informed Members that the Union will be instructing
membership in accordance with the NJC. Although the trial will be
ending on 28 February 2017, the Union will be following the NJC
guidance. Members were also advised that funding from the
Government was important, otherwise the Service would not receive
support if it continued on a free of charge basis.
- The Cabinet Associate
for Fire and Police Services advised that with the new Policing and
Crime Act 2017 legislation in place, there was a duty to
collaborate. The Board noted this suggestion and shared the view
that it would be appropriate in these circumstances to put a
recommendation forward that the trial continues as it impacts
hugely on the lives of Surrey residents.
- Members shared the
view that withdrawing the co-responding service would leave a
degree of trauma, especially for Surrey residents.
- There was a
discussion around the location of SFRS appliances; Officers
clarified that vehicles were tracked by GPS and this would allow
the available and nearest units to be dispatched when
called.
- A Member raised
concern with the potential for SFRS not being available to respond
to its core responsibilities while out co-responding. Officers
assured the Board that only one incident occurred where there was a
clash in the 18 months that the trial had been running and that
there was no effect on the SFRS statutory duties.
- The FBU
representative shared concerns with Members and highlighted that it
was important to understand the national context of the trial, as
Surrey was 1 of over 30 Fire and Rescue Services taking part in the
national pilot. There would be different results demographically
and to await a direction from the NJC on best practice, without
securing funding from the Government could jeopardise a better
sustainable outcome.
- The Cabinet
Member for Localities
and Community Wellbeing suggested, in the absence of funding from
the Government, for the Board to consider SECAmb to make a contribution towards the
continuation of co-responding.
- Officers were queried
whether the trial would be sustainable without funding. Members
were advised that, by opting to continue co-responding the Council
could jeopardise the prospects for additional funding from central
government, and that is could be to the Council’s advantage,
in the long term to await a decision form the NJC with regards to
any changes to the firefighters role
map in July 2017.
- In an effort to
reduce costs, the SFRS recognised it was not cost effective to have
pumps on call for every occasion and using smaller multi-role
vehicles would be more appropriate and were available across the
Service.
- Members agreed a
letter should be drafted to the NJC with regards to the strain both
services might face without funding if co-responding were to
continue and consider this when making their decision.
Recommendations:
-
The Board supports the continuation of Immediate
Emergency Care Responding and, providing that there remains no
substantial negative effect on SFRS’s core service and the
financial pressures can be met, supports Option 1 to be presented
to Cabinet on 28 February 2017.
-
That the Board writes to the LGA Employers
Representatives in support of co-responding, seeking additional
funding for the scheme until a decision on the results of the NJC
pilot is made in July 2017.
Actions:
None
There was a break from 11.22am to 11.26am – need to add
this as a comment in the minutes.