Agenda item

Jo Cook

Joanne Cook from the Bucks Fire & Rescue Service gave a presentation to the Community Board on Community Safety.  It was noted that the slides from the presentation would be included with the minutes.  The following key points were made in the presentation:

·         There were 18 fire stations in Buckinghamshire on various crewing models including whole time, day crewed and on call.

·         There were 3 fire safety teams: Aylesbury, Marlow and Milton Keynes. They had responsibility for fire safety in commercial buildings and in the ‘common parts’ of others, such as high-rise, retirement villages etc. that were legislated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order). They were consulted with on large scale events when a Safety Advisory Group was convened and also on licensing applications. Furthermore, they addressed fire safety complaints.

·         In terms of prevention, fire safety advice was provided to people in ‘single private dwellings’, such as houses and flats including flats within retirement complexes. Engagement with the community and partners takes place to reduce risk:

o   where a number of deliberate fires in the open had occurred

o   to provide reassurance when a significant fire had occurred

o   to people being targeted due to age, medical issues or other factors which increase their risk of fire.

·         A Home Fire Safety Visit was a service offered to people who might be at increased risk of, or from, fire. A Home Fire Safety Visit covered: Home Fire Detection (smoke and heat) incorporating Assistive Technology, Fire Safety in the Home (kitchen, candles and escape planning), Fires and Heaters (safer heating), Clutter and Hoarding, Arson/Deliberate Fires, Smoking-Related Fires, Medicines and Medical Devices and Electrical Safety.

·         The Person Centred Framework was a national approach used for delivering an evidence based visit to people with dignity and compassion.

·         Some people were at greater risk from fire due to having a combination of risk factors. The service was therefore working on a three-year program to engage with those aged 80 or above.  To be most effective, the service needs the help of others to recognise where residents, who are 80 or above, have additional risk and with their consent refer them to the service.  Risk could be no smoke detection, a sensory loss (sight or hearing), mobility issues, dementia or other diagnoses that could affect their ability to respond.

·         Friends and family could refer someone to the service by calling 01296 744477 or by emailing centraladmin@bucksfire.gov.uk.  There was also a referral form which partners could complete to refer someone to the service. Consent of the person being referred was required when making a referral. The referral form would be sent to Members of the Community Board after the meeting. (ACTION: Sophia Comer) 

·         An online home fire safety check was being launched in November and could be accessed via www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/

In the discussion which followed, suggestions were made that doctors’ surgeries and parish councils might be able to help identify those residents over 80 who were at additional risk. A further suggestion was that Winslow Big Society Group might also be able to help and refer people to the service.   Members of the Community Board were asked to let Joanne or Sophia know if there were any other voluntary sector organisations which might be able to help with identifying those most at risk who could make referrals.

Councillor Phil Gomm, who was a member of Buckinghamshire Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee, stated that he would suggest to the Select Committee that Joanne be invited to one of their meetings to make a presentation on Community Safety and Home Fire Safety Visits to see how partners could assist with identifying and referring those in the community who were most at risk.

The Community Board thanked Joanne for her very useful presentation.