Minutes:
Witnesses:
Russell Pearson, Chief Fire Officer
Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Community Services
Kay Hammond, Cabinet Associate for Fire and Police Services
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Chief Fire Officer informed the Committee that the Safe Drive Stay Alive programme was very successful, since its establishment, road traffic collisions (RTC) involving youths had dropped significantly. The Fire Service was also completing home fire safety visits, mostly for vulnerable people. There were currently over 150 volunteers working for the service and that number was growing, which supports workforce reforms. The Committee was informed that the service had noted that many of the assumptions in the DCDC Strategic Trends Programme were gradually coming true, for example the growth of terrorism and the impacts of climate change. It was noted that the SCC Corporate Strategy was influencing what Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was focusing on, the strategic objectives of the service were; workforce reform, income generation, Public Service Transformation Network membership and leadership.
2. The Committee was informed that the service was at this stage on target to achieve the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) targets and was constantly re-profiling to make this even more successful. The workforce reform would not require any forced redundancies, as when whole time fire fighters retire they would not be replaced and the number of on-call fire fighters would be increased where possible. The Chief Fire Officer stated that currently 87% of the Fire Services budget is spent on whole time fire fighters.
3. It was explained to the Committee that in the future the service would consider the proportions of private sector involvement, volunteers and on-call staff while reducing the number of whole time staff through natural wastage. Current income generation is sourced through South East Business Services (SEBS) Limited. The Committee were informed that an increase in income would improve the core offer of the service.
4. In terms of equipment, it was noted that Surrey Fire and Rescue Service owns the best equipment in the country. Fire engines were currently being replaced with better models and a higher aerial ladder height; all appliances hold a defibrillator and someone trained to use it would be staffed on the appliance at every incident. It was expressed that training should not be outsourced and a realistic training facility was proposed which would contain a mock section of M25, high-rise buildings and houses among other scenarios. It was vital that firefighters’ training was kept up to date, especially as there would be fewer staff after the workforce reforms. The service was in the process of buying 27 4X4 Land Rover Defenders and it was expressed that equipment is sourced from Surrey suppliers when possible.
5. The Committee was informed that Salfords and Guildford Fire Stations would be opened in Summer 2015, Woking and Spelthorne Fire Stations would be opened in 2016 and Banstead Fire Station would be opened in 2018.
6. The Committee raised concern over the safety of the on-call set up of the Fire Service, they were informed that the service should continue to attempt to attract new recruits but that due to the nature of Surrey’s working population and dormitory-like status with residents commuting into London, these attempts may not always be successful.
7. The Associate Cabinet Member informed the Committee that she was attending all Blue Light Collaboration meetings to establish cohesive collaboration work. The Chief Fire Officer expressed that all Surrey emergency services should work together to improve outcomes for residents.
Recommendations:
None.
Further information to be provided:
None.