Agenda item

Policy Development and Review

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service will be presenting Cabinet with a range of options regarding the continuation of Immediate Emergency Care Response when the initial pilot ends in February 2017.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Members shared the view that withdrawing the co-responding service would leave a degree of trauma, especially for Surrey residents.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.