Minutes:
The Chair invited Julian Hilditch, National Resilience Policy Adviser of the Home Office to introduce the item.
Julian stated that his presentation was in two parts:
- The first part will discuss the Business Continuity Planning in the event of Industrial Action.
- The second part will discuss Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attacks (MFTA).
Julian touched on many points throughout his presentation, which included:
- A discussion around the current risk of a national industrial action which currently has a medium to high likeliness.
- The right that fire fighters have to taking industrial action.
- A worse case scenario for striking would include continuous industrial action.
- The Home Office and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have made preparations for seven different outcomes of industrial actions, which have included scrutinising the plans different Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) have prepared for.
- Julian discussed a letter received by the Minister of State for Policing and Fire Service in January 2018, which sought clarity on the following:
o Industrial Action provisions.
o Improvements regarding levels of resilience.
o High rise-buildings.
Julian also discussed the key findings in his recent visits to eight FRS’, which included:
- A cooperation and commitment to improve.
- During industrial action, these FRS’ have a combination of arrangements, including private contractors and non-striking personnel.
- Julian stated that there is no single model.
- FRS’ confirmed minimal level of resilience plans, as well as their high-rise capabilities.
Julian stated that the next steps in this work included:
- A letter will be sent to the Minister of State for Policing and Fire Service in June 2018.
- The FRS’ are currently implementing improvements.
- Reports are due to be drafted in June and July.
- The Home Office and NFCC have also given their oversight improvement plans to the FRS’.
- Julian also discussed the possible future role with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMIC).
The Chair thanked Julian for the presentation and invited Members to comment:
- Members discussed the possible involvement of the NJC for a broader outlook on industrial action.
- Members discussed surprise upon hearing that high rise capabilities had been confirmed. Members discussed that whilst London had resources in place to deal with high rises, FRS’ outside of London do not have capabilities.
- Members discussed the pay negotiations and it’s rating – all agreed that the dialogue between the NJC and FRS’ were as good as ever.
- Members discussed ambulance strikes.
- Members discussed contingency plans put in place by FRS’ that rely on non-striking personnel.
- Members discussed the introduction HMIC playing a part in this on-going work.
- Members discussed funding issues to FRS’, as well as the need for more reserves.
- Members discussed the findings of the questionnaire put out by Julian’s office, particularly in relation to the term ‘guarantee resilience’. Members went on to discuss how this term – as well as Julian’s findings – could be considered misleading.
- It was also discussed the differences in opinions held by the Home Office and the NFCC.
The Chair thanked Members for their comments.
Julian went on to the second part of the presentation, which discussed MFTA’s.
Julian gave a background to MFTA’s, and the history of the UK’s response to this before and after the London 2012 Olympics. Julian stated that there is a two-function response to a MFTA:
- Fire hazards management; and
- Casualty treatment and evacuation.
Julian stated the Home Secretary approved a further capability uplift in 2017. This includes increasing response standard times, doubling response teams and enlarging the response to large urban areas for a wider coverage of the country. This uplift is in-line proportionate to the risk.
Julian stated that 24 FRS will host 24 out of 27 response teams across England. So far, 1100 firefighters have volunteered to undertake the role. Julian stated that nect steps included the implementing the Kerslake Report recommendations, which includes a tri-service assurance framework.
- Members discussed how the progress so far was encouraging, and that a lot has happened since this work began seven years ago. Members agreed that a lot has happened in that seven years.
- Members discussed the NFCC position in regards to MFTA’s.
- Members discussed the Fire Brigades Union, and their thoughts in relation to this volunteer role.
- Members discussed circumstances of injury/death assurances and possible payments for this.
- Members discussed how vital this work is, along with assurances from Chief Officers that safe systems are in place.
The Chair agreed with Members comments and thanked them for their contribution.
Julian stated he taken note of all comments and will be in-touch late on in the year.
Action:
- Members noted the presentation.