Agenda item

This report outlines the current progress and issues relating to recent incidents and the requirement to learn and improve the response by Surrey County Council in coordination with partners to support the needs of residents.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Ian Good, Head of Emergency Management

Steve Owen-Hughes, Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Chairman briefed the Committee on the purpose of the report.

2.    A Member of the Committee queried whether flood sax were being used by the county for dealing with possible flooding incidents. The Head of Emergency Management explained that 20,000 flood sacs had been purchased by the county but that many partners including parish councils were using sandbags. Homeowners were also still using sandbags although in some instances sandbags were not the best flooding protection, and other type of property flood protection would be encouraged.

3.    It was stated by the Head of Emergency Management that in emergency situations, there were 200 beds available for rest centres. The rest centres vary in size and their locations are maintained by the boroughs and districts. For those members of the public with health issues and for whom beds at rest centres would not be suitable, the Adult Social Care team was on hand to assist.

4.    A query was raised around the location of dangerous pipelines in the county and if the emergency services were aware of the location of these. The Deputy Chief Fire Officer explained that organisations had to inform the fire and rescue service of the location of hazardous pipelines. Maps of these pipelines were regularly updated and a map of these kept on every fire engine.

5.    There was a discussion around what work was done with the local community and the voluntary sector to enable access to rest sites in emergency situations. It was stated that in cases where there was an evacuation of the community, rest centres used included local community centres, leisure centres and schools. In cases of a flu pandemic, the advice given to residents would be to stay at home. The Local Resilience Forum (LRF) seek assurance from Public Health that they have the resources and plans to cope in emergency situations. The Head of Emergency Management explained that there were arrangements in place with voluntary organisations, e.g. Red Cross, to bolster up support in emergency situations.

6.    Since the change in the terrorist threat level to severe, work has been undertaken with officers from the South East Counter Terrorism Unit to ensure Council buildings were safe and secure. Areas to be reviewed include evacuation arrangements and building improvements. These areas would also be picked up with district and borough partners.

7.    Members queried what lessons had been learnt from the Grenfell tower tragedy. The Head of Emergency Management stated that recommendations from the incident were coming through as Surrey Fire and Rescue and the Emergency Management Team were involved in supporting the emergency services during the incident and have also picked up learning from the tragedy. In an emergency situation such as this support would be sought from neighbouring fire and rescue services. The South East 7 (SE7) group were looking into arrangements for this for the County and unitary authorities. 

8.    Work with district and boroughs to look at the emergency response to long term housing needs resulting from emergency incidents, is planned for November 2017.

9.    The Head of Emergency Management stated that the LRF were regularly seeking assurance from partners that emergency plans were up to date and fit for purpose.

10.There was a short discussion around a possible widespread power outage and the implications for the county. Members queried the ‘Black Start’ process mentioned in the report and asked if the Committee could receive a report on the recovery process in place. The Deputy Chief Fire Officer stated that as the plans were sensitive, these would need to be considered in private. Assurance was given that in a widespread power outage scenario, critical infrastructure would have back up power to ensure critical service continued. These were managed and co-ordinated from a senior government level.

11.The Deputy Chief Fire Officer confirmed that in local emergency situations, utilities companies had duties and responsibilities which they statutorily had to carry out. They were supported by Gold Command to ensure plans succeeded.

12.A Member of the Committee raised concerns around the resources in place to tackle an emergency situation especially with staff cutbacks. The Deputy Chief Fire Officer stated that the LRF had sought assurance from all partners that enough resource was in place to cope with a major incident lasting 14 days, including business as usual. Support would also be sought from other local authorities.

13.It was explained that within the last 18 months work had been done within the LRF to ensure all partners had plans that were fit for purpose.

14. The Head of Emergency Management explained that last year a number of Surrey schools had received bomb threats. As a result, work was being done with head teachers to discuss evacuation plans. A pilot had been undertaken with an infant and junior school. Further work with the Assistant Director for Schools and Learning was planned.

15. As a means of seeking assurance, it was suggested that both DCLG and the Cabinet Office would be looking to inspect the LRF assurance plans and processes. Currently, peer reviews on LRF plans had been undertaken and assurance was also sought through Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

16. It was queried as to what was the Members role in an emergency. It was stated that an LGA Councillors guide to civil emergencies had been sent to all Members. In local incidents, local Members were informed and updated on the situation as it progressed.

17.It was stated that the LRF would be organising training and exercise events in December 2017 and May 2018 which Members were invited to attend. It was agreed that the Head of Emergency Management would send Members details of these exercises in due course.

Recommendations:

·         For the Committee to receive an update report on emergency management, business continuity and local resilience in 6 months, to include,

o   a report on local ‘Black Start’ plans if there was a nationwide loss of electricity (to be considered in part 2)

o   an update on partnership work

o   an update on any plans for inspections of the LRF as part of the assurance plans and processes by the DCLG and Cabinet Office.

Actions:

·         For the Head of Emergency Management to send the Committee details of the LRF training exercises scheduled for December 2017 and May 2018.