NORTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY · 2014-12-20 · NORTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY 2 3.2 Vulnerable Persons Intervention Partnership (VIP) 3.2.1 Referrals . There

NORTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

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Report of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer/Director of Community Safety

April 2014

COMMUNITY SAFETY UPDATE 1.0 Purpose of Report 1.1 To update Members on Community Safety and Service Delivery activities for the period 1st January to 31st March 2014. 2.0 Introduction 2.1 This report provides an update on community safety activities. Service Delivery is

organised around prevention, protection and response services, the focus being to deliver a service which best supports the Authority’s vision and corporate plan.

3.0 Prevention

3.1 Summary of Prevention Activity 3.1.1 Growth in Vulnerable Persons Intervention Partnership continues to be made in the period

Jan – March. The table below provides a headline summary of prevention activities for the last two quarters.

All Districts Jan – Mar 2014 Oct – Dec 2013

Smoke Detectors Fitted 950 959 Home Fire Risk Checks 828 827 Fire Setter Referrals 14 11 Community Safety Events 443 518 Vulnerable Referrals 71 35

3.1.2 A breakdown of community safety activity at a district level for smoke alarm fitting and

home fire risk checks is shown in the following table. It is important to note that community safety activities are driven by risk information and intelligence as opposed to simply volume and targets. This risk based approach ensures the best use of resources in delivering prevention activity. Given the broad range of community safety activities undertaken by the Service, the level of activity across each district varies according to local risk and this is balanced between prevention activities, essential training and preparedness for emergency response.

Table 2 Breakdown by District - Reporting Period January – March 2014

District Home Fire Risk Checks Smoke Detectors Fitted

Craven 64 90 City of York 139 164 Harrogate 121 161 Hambleton 129 121 Ryedale 72 76 Richmondshire 71 75 Scarborough 172 195 Selby 60 68 Total 828 950

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3.2 Vulnerable Persons Intervention Partnership (VIP) 3.2.1 Referrals

There have been 71 referrals from January to 31st March 2014. The majority of referrals have been dealt with by the Community Safety Officers (CSOs), across the Service area. This is an increase of almost 100% on the previous 3 months which shows agencies and staff are gaining confidence in using the scheme. The referral network continues to be expanded and now in the last quarter North Yorkshire Police have started using the form and Foundation UK a charity working with the homeless and offenders.

3.2.2 Fire Setters

There have been 14 referrals for the firesetters network for the period of January to end of March 2014.

3.2.3 Vulnerable Persons When carrying out home fire risk checks the CSO’s, based upon observations, make recommendations for improvements by other agencies where necessary. The majority of referrals are for the elder community and particularly those with mobility issues. Information and the action taken is relayed back to the referring agency and shared with relevant partners.

3.3 BTEC Level 2 (Fire Services in the Community) 3.3.1 The BTEC programme is accredited through Edexcel to deliver Fire and Rescue Services

in the Community, Level 2. It is delivered by uniformed personnel who teach the skills of problem solving, communications and team work, in addition to knowledge of fire safety and general risk awareness. The programme is designed to encourage students and young people and is generally aimed at those who are becoming disengaged or struggling in main stream education.

3.3.2 The BTEC School scheme is funded by the participating schools and the full BTEC Level 2

award is achieved. The scheme is 1 day per week and runs over a 12 month period. There are 2 school schemes operating currently. These are Stokesley and Foremost, Menwith Hill. Following the success of the LIFE course recently held in Selby, we hope to use this as a spring board to setting up a BTEC course in this area.

3.3.3 LIFE (Local Intervention Fire Education) Courses are a five day intensive course and cover

2 units of the BTEC award. The courses are targeted at young people, aged between 14 and 19, who have offended, or are at risk of offending due to peer pressure, or those that may have been the victims of crime. The aim of each course is to prevent the candidates from becoming involved in crime by providing an intensive experience in a tightly structured and focused team environment over 5 days. The latest course took place between the 10th and 14th February at Harrogate. There were 10 candidates on the course of which 8 completed and received their certificate. Agencies continue to provide positive feedback.

3.3.4 The BTEC evening schemes are based on the same Level 2 Award as the school schemes, however the scheme is open to applicants from any young members of the community and not based on referrals. The course is completed over a period of 2 years with the students attending for 2 hours per week. In addition to the 5 established schemes at Skipton, Grassington, Knaresborough, Tadcaster and Selby Fire Stations. The trials at both Bentham and Colburn have both been a success. Both schemes have moved onto the full 2 year course. Interest has now been received from Summerbridge who would like to start a scheme. This will have to be


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considered further as the current available funding will not cover the running of an 8th course within the same timescale.

3.4 Community Safety Officers (CSOs) The team have completed updating training materials and presentations with the ‘Drive Wise’ and ‘Drive Alive’ talks being modernised as well as all the Key stage talks. The joint working with the Police is now in place in Richmond, Bedale and Scarborough and the CSO’s are reporting this is working well and greatly enhancing the sharing of information. It has also been noted no single model can be used as each area has specific needs and resources, therefore each area has developed its own method of working to suit local needs. The CSO team regularly share best practice with each other; a new initiative in Scarborough has involved a Memorandum of Understanding being drawn up between the housing association and the Fire Service. New tenants must now have a Home Fire Risk Check (HFRC) carried out within a month of entering the property as part of their tenancy agreement. This gives us direct access to potentially high risk families at an early stage of tenancy. A number of difficulties are continuing to be experienced with use of the current Radar speed detectors, used for the collection of speed data; this is largely due to the age and condition of this equipment. New equipment has been trialled and the 95 Alive partnership are considering alternatives to replace the current equipment.

4.0 Protection

4.1 Summary of Protection Activity 4.1.1 A summary of legislative fire safety inspections carried out for the period 1st January – 31st

March 2014 shown in the following table.

Jan – Mar 2014

Legislative hours completed by specialist officers 2159

Legislative hours completed by operational crews 1036

Total legislative fire safety hours completed 3195

Audits undertaken by specialist officers 290

Audits undertaken by operational crews 199

Total fire safety audits undertaken 489

4.1.2 Technical Fire Safety (TFS) Officers and support staff continue to work to improve and

develop data to further improve the way the audit programme aligns to risk across the Service area. The focus in 2014 continues to be on certain higher risk premises types, for example fast food outlets which incorporate staff sleeping accommodation and on premises in the sleeping category; in particular hostel accommodation. There is also a specific focus on the Tour de France and ensuring that businesses understand their obligations regarding fire safety legislation.

4.1.3 Tour de France preparations are progressing well. Staff have undertaken a substantial

number of audits in smaller premises known to provide sleeping accommodation; most have been broadly compliant with some requiring minor deficiencies to be remedied.


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A number of safety surgeries have been held across the area to allow people direct access to technical fire safety advice; although the level of uptake has been low the surgeries have helped pilot a model of multi-agency engagement that is showing a level of support with partners such as Hambleton and Richmond District Council (Environmental Health) and North Yorkshire Police. This has also led to some inter agency awareness training between NYFRS and the local authorities and helped develop an exchange of information protocol. Fire Safety staff regularly attend Safety Advisory Group Meetings organised predominantly by the local authorities. Here the service has an opportunity to share advice with event organisers alongside partners. We have seen a noticeable increase in these meetings across the Western part of the County in readiness for the TdF in July.

4.1.4 Business Engagement

A seminar was held in March for businesses in the Whitby area targeted at small guest houses and holiday lets the seminar also raised awareness of issues to be addressed for the Tour de France. Over 700 businesses were contacted directly through letter as well as local advertising in the Whitby Gazette and through the Tourist Information Board. The two sessions were attended by 70 Responsible Persons from businesses in the East and the feedback was 99% positive.

4.1.5 TFS Training

Final stages are being undertaken to launch a new fire safety training programme for operational staff. A level 3 certificate in fire safety is to be offered to nominated staff to assist them in their auditing role. The course is to be delivered by an external provider (Xact) with the first cohort scheduled to start pre course learning in June/July and attend a 5 day course in the autumn. A second cohort is expected to start their pre course work in the autumn. Specialist fire safety staff will work towards either a level 4 diploma or certificate depending on their role. The route to achieving this will either be via a recognition of prior learning (RPL) for experience staff or a training programme for those not eligible for RPL. This aligns the service to the national occupational standards and helps meet the expectation of better regulation for business.

Fire Safety Watch and Station Managers are developing an in house programme of fire safety awareness training to deliver to RDS staff which looks at a number of key learning areas. In particular it covers hazard spotting, information exchange, basic evidence gathering and firefighting in the built environment.

4.2 Fire Safety Enforcement Activity 4.2.1 Under the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) there are three relevant notice types;

An alterations notice - notification that the premises constitute, or may constitute, a risk if an alteration is made to them or the use to which they are put. Where a notice has been served the responsible person must notify the enforcing authority of any proposed changes.

An enforcement notice – notification of a failure to comply with any provision of the Fire

Safety Order 2005 or of any regulations made under it. A prohibitions notice – notification that use of premises involves or will involve a risk to

persons so serious that use of the premises needs to be prohibited or restricted.


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4.2.2 Enforcement activity undertaken by NYFRS under the RRO between 1st January – 31st March 2014 is shown in the table below.

Jan – Mar 2014

Statutory Alterations Notices 0 Statutory Enforcement Notices 7 Statutory Prohibition Notices 6

4.2.3 Any notices which have been withdrawn are excluded from these totals in order to comply

with the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988. 4.2.4 The Spice Mill, Riccall Selby – Case Study

Overview The above premises are a converted windmill currently trading as an Indian restaurant and takeaway. The premises consist of a ground, 1st 2nd & 3rd floors. The restaurant is on the ground floor and has been built around the old wind mill. All the upper floors are contained within the footprint of the windmill. Previous History On 26th June 2013 fire safety officers became aware that restaurant staff were sleeping on the upper floors of the spice mill. The premises did not have adequate fire separation nor was it fitted with any means of detecting or giving warning of a fire above the ground floor. It was deemed so dangerous that a prohibition order was served preventing staff from sleeping on the premises until fire safety provisions had been improved. Incident No 14- 003274 At around 03.50hrs on the morning of 20th April 2014, a serous fire occurred in the premises. The fire involved the first, second & third floors. Five fire appliances and an aerial ladder platform attended the incident. Due mainly to the shape of the building, effectively a chimney, it took fire crews up to 90 minutes before the fire was brought under control and a further hour before the fire was extinguished completely. Investigation by fire officers established the cause of the fire was careless disposal of a cigarette into a waste bin on the 1st floor. Conclusion The decision to place a prohibition order on the premises in the months before the fire has undoubtedly saved the lives of 5 or more staff who would otherwise have continued to sleep on the premises.

4.3 Fire Investigation 4.3.1 Following a fire at Prezzo in Harrogate on 18th March, extensive fire investigation work has

been ongoing. The level of interest in the investigation to both the cause and level of fire spread from insurance appointed experts has been significant. Currently there are 11 experts representing 9 different parties. Due to the high financial losses involved the ongoing involvement of the fire service regarding providing information and statements is likely to continue for several weeks. Our own investigation has concluded that the fire started in the extraction ducting system at a time when it was being worked on by an engineer. The fire spread relatively quickly due to the close proximity of combustible materials to the ducting and which were ignited due to conduction of heat from the metal duct. Once alight the condition of parts of the building in particular the ceiling separating the ground and first floors allowed fire to spread rapidly into the fabric of the building.

4.3.2 Newgen Recycling Ltd, Sherburn-In-Elmet involved a large tyre recycling plant, NYFRS fire

investigators found that on the balance of probability, the most likely cause of the fire was accidental ignition, due to self-heating in a large pile (over 150 tonnes) of rubber crumb. Whilst the possibility of deliberate ignition cannot be fully discounted, the investigation did


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not discover any evidence to substantiate this theory, CCTV footage would appear to discount accidental ignition from hot work or controlled burning.

The cause of the fire spreading to full involvement of all tyres on the site is largely attributed

to the lack of adequate fire breaks and separation of the tyre stacks. 4.3.3 Harrogate and Knaresborough crews attended a small fire at the Knaresborough

Sainsbury’s store on 25th February. The cause was due to a faulty electrical component on the refrigeration unit but during the fire a significant amount of smoke spread into the adjacent flats and 30 residents were evacuated. NYFRS fire investigation officers and fire safety officers liaised with the landlords to identify and remedy the situation. Preparatory work has been done in this particular premises and wider discussions have been had with the housing provider and Harrogate Borough Council. Valuable lessons from this case will be shared with both local and regional fire safety teams in particular the level of enquiry during auditing of the quality of fire separation between different occupancies in multi occupied buildings.

4.3.4 Crews from Boroughbridge and Easingwold attended a fire in a poultry farm in Tholthorpe

on 13th March. The fire started in an electrical fan motor due to a fault on the capacitor. Crews remained at the scene for approx. 1½ hours clearing away roof material and handed over to the farmer who remained on site for a further 2 hours. Fire investigation showed that due to the construction of the building and the extensive use of insulating materials in the roof structure along with the increased ventilation created by removing door sections caused a reignition of an undetected hot spot in the ceiling area.

4.3.5 Four appliances attended a fire in an art gallery in Horton in Ribblesdale near Settle on the

17th March. The gallery was attached to a private farmhouse which was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Fire investigation took place the following day to determine that the cause was due to a faulty electrical wire feeding night storage heaters. There were concerns initially of a high financial loss due to the provenance of the artwork and consideration to it being a deliberate fire was discussed with North Yorkshire Police. The scene was later investigated by an expert from Burgoynes who agreed with our findings.

5.0 Response 5.1 Good progress is being made with the work to replace the Incident Support Units currently

based at Richmond and Malton. The new unit, which will be based at a station in the east of the county, will be equipped to support front line appliances when dealing with various types of special service call e.g. RTCs involving vehicles other than cars, rescues from agricultural equipment, chemical decontamination etc. The unit will also provide additional support for large scale and protracted fire incidents, particularly those requiring the use of breathing apparatus. The vehicle is currently in build with an expected completion date in June; and a selection of new equipment for the vehicle has been ordered and delivered. Once built, the vehicle will be fitted out with both new and existing equipment. Training needs will be identified and addressed as part of the implementation, prior to the vehicle being made operationally available from the east of the county whilst still providing supporting cover for the whole Service area.

5.2 Following a request from the Fire and Rescue Service National Coordination Centre on

10th February 2014, the High Volume Pump (HVP) unit from Richmond was mobilised to standby at Banbury Fire Station in Oxfordshire to assist with the extensive flooding in the south of the country. The self-rostering system in place at Richmond enabled the personnel there to quickly modify their working patterns in order to provide continued personnel support for the HVP during its deployment which lasted some three weeks. The HVP was eventually deployed into the Royal Berkshire area where it assisted in protecting three small villages from the effects of flooding.

5.3 New guidance published by the Department of Communities and Local Government is

being considered by the Response and Resilience section. The guidance relates to


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breathing apparatus procedures and replaces the existing guidance which dates back to 1997 and as such, is a key document requiring a high degree of scrutiny. A gap analysis has been produced for consideration, prior to devising an implementation programme to address any approved changes to our current procedures.

5.4 A series of enhancements to breathing apparatus equipment and procedures have been

adopted by the service to increase crew safety. This is a direct result of an incident that occurred in Hampshire in 2010, where two firefighters tragically lost their lives. Enhanced communications equipment along with equipment to free firefighters who may become entangled in debris within a fire situation has now been implemented across the service. A specialist training rig has been purchased and training with this is now being programmed for all operational staff.

5.5 A new type of off-road vehicle has been introduced into the service as part of the Wildfire

strategy implementation. Two new ‘Argocat’ vehicles, one of which was funded by a grant provided by Yorkshire Water, are now based at Skipton and Kirkbymoorside and will provide the necessary vehicular support required for dealing with these types of incidents. This capability is being enhanced through the provision of specialist Wildfire training to operational staff. This training was delivered to the Flexible Duty System officers during November and December 2013 and Supervisory Managers based at stations within the east and west of the county, where the risk of Wildfires are more likely, has also been completed. An E-Learning module is being developed in order to up-skill all other operational staff.

The Argocat can be rapidly deployed from one location to another on a road trailer. It is capable of a speed of up to 20 m.p.h. and can carry 200 litres of water. It carries its own pump and high pressure lance and is capable of carrying four people.

5.6 Three further strikes were announced by the FBU to take place at the beginning of May as part of the continuing national dispute over the pension reforms. The Response and Resilience section along with support from the Central Administrative Office and Technical Services have been responsible for ensuring suitable contingency arrangements are in place to cover these strike periods.

5.7 The risk from Geological Hazards to Fire and Rescue Service operations was identified as

not being addressed nationally in current or historical Generic Risk Assessments (GRAs). North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have taken an active role in a national working


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group, with a term of reference to address, geological hazards and risks. The working group are formulating the new format GRA which is National Operational Guidance (NOG), and National Standard Operating Procedure, for geological hazards. The working group now consist of representatives from Avon, North Yorkshire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and London Fire and Rescue Services, with colleagues from the British Geological Survey. The working group commenced work on the geological hazard NOG and SOP on 24th January 2014. There have been several geological incidents since the instigation of the working group which have highlighted the need for the work to be completed, one of which was a sink hole at Magdelens Close, Ripon on 17th February 2014.

6.0 Communications and Media Update

6.1 The Communications and Media Team have been promoting safety information for the May strike periods, particularly through social media. A TV advert has also been jointly arranged with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service which was aired on ITV in the lead up to the strikes.

6.2 The Service has issued media information on the following key messages;

National Chip Week Updates on the tyre fire at Sherburn in Elmet Control Collaboration with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Safety information during Industrial Action

6.3 The Service’s facebook ‘likes’ now stand at 960 up from 698 at the last report and 8,059 twitter followers up from 6,784.

6.4 Work has been undertaken by the team, in conjunction with the fire safety department to review the Service’s publicity plan for 2014-2015.

6.5 The team has been involved in supporting the engagement phase of the Fire Cover Review, including arranging and attending public engagement events at locations throughout the county.

6.6 The Comms and Media team were approached, earlier in the year, about an opportunity to be part of a documentary series for channel four; ‘ 999 what’s Your Emergency’. The production company, Blast Films is looking to feature North Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in a new series of the programme. There have been two series previously with series one featuring the emergency services from Lancashire, and series two featuring the ambulance services of Nottingham, Southend and London. All three emergency services in North Yorkshire have signed up in principle to taking part. If it goes ahead the production company will be filming primarily with crews from York and Scarborough and also some control room staff over July and August, with the episodes being aired towards the end of this year or start of 2015.

7.0 District Based Activity – Highlighted Examples 7.1 Hambleton & Richmondshire 7.1.1 Prevention Activity

Working with the Hambleton and Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership and North Yorkshire County Council, local staff have delivered a wide range of community safety initiatives across the district.

Community Safety Officers, supported by operational staff and other agencies remain focused on the priorities detailed in the District Action Plan; fire service activity, in


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collaboration with other agencies, continued to deliver a range of services across Hambleton & Richmondshire District in line with the 2013/14 District Plan. Key stage education activity has been delivered at a number of local schools throughout Hambleton & Richmondshire. School visits in Hambleton included; Stillington, Brompton, Topcliffe, Crakehall, Alverton, Pickhill and Romanby schools whilst in Richmondshire visits took place at Risedale, West Burton, Melsonby, Richmond CofE, Eppleby Forcett, Michael Stddall, Hawes CofE and Bainbridge schools. The children received key information regarding home safety and most importantly actions to take in the event of a fire occurring in their home. Further to scheduled school visits is the requirement to offer one to one tuition with young people who have demonstrated fire setting behaviors. Activity during the reporting period included home visits to children living in the Northallerton area.

Road safety activity continues to support the aims and objectives of 95 Alive and the Community Safety Partnership. Monthly road safety meetings are conducted between the NYCC Road Safety Team, Fire and Rescue staff, North Yorkshire Police and the Community Safety Partnership to consider the results of the speed monitoring recorders. As a result of these meetings, the partnership continues to target road safety activities in the areas where they are needed most using risk based analysis and an intelligence led decision making process. The 95 Alive motorcycle safety launch took place at the Manor Café at Bellerby on 13th March 2014. Community safety officers attended the event supported by partners and the operational crew from Richmond. Community Safety Officers deployed RADAR recording equipment and Matrix signs at the following locations throughout the reporting period: Skeeby, Tunstall, Bellerby, Melsonby, Sleegill, Carlton Minniot, Great Ayton, Stokesley, Tollerton and Sutton on the Forest. Resulting actions borne from the deployments are determined at partner speed matrix meetings held monthly.

Colburn crews delivered a young firefighters course at Colburn station which concluded on 18th March 2014. 12 young people were invited to attend the course which was delivered by the Colburn team and supported by staff from Richmond. Key aspects of the course where problem solving, communications and team work, in addition to knowledge of fire safety and general risk awareness. The course is generally aimed at those who are becoming disengaged or struggling in main stream education.

7.1.2 Fire & Police Safety Service

The arrangement between NYFRS and NYP to deliver community safety workloads as a single partnership team is going extremely well in Hambleton & Richmondshire District. Improved visibility and increased effectiveness as a result of joint working continues to bear positive results and there is an improvement in information sharing between both organisations, particularly around vulnerable persons. Highlighted activity over the previous quarter includes; attendance at NYP tactical briefings by community safety officers, joint visits at Appleton Wiske and Hornby, a MENCAP joint safety presentation, and attendance at joint surgeries held across the District.

7.1.3 Protection Activity

Local TFS Officers supported by operational crews are aligned to achieving workloads set by the Prevention and Protection Department, this includes the use of local intelligence to inform and determine our buildings inspection programme. Legislative fire safety audits are carried out locally in line with published schedules, this scheduled workload is further bolstered by the completion of post incident fire safety audits where applicable.


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7.1.4 Response Activity District Exercise Programme

Exercises for 2014/15 have been planned to replicate a range of emergency incidents based on the requirements of the operational role, which requires crews to display a high degree of knowledge about generic and specific hazards on the incident ground and a real understanding of the systems and procedures which enable staff to carry out their roles safely and effectively. All exercises are designed to offer scenarios which provide meaningful and challenging situations that require the attendance of 5 or 6 fire appliances. Exercise attendance will continue to be supported by an appropriate Flexi-Duty System Fire Officer response, and will include the use of specialist appliances.

7.2 Harrogate & Craven 7.2.1 Prevention Activity

Multi Agency Crucial Crew Presentations have taken place within both Harrogate & Craven Districts, Community Safety Officers delivered key home fire safety messages to approximately 3000 Year 6 pupils. Feedback from the schools is that the events were extremely well received by the pupils.

Key Stage 1, 2 & 3 presentations have taken place at a number of schools across the Districts including Cononley School, Gargrave School, Malham School, Grassington School, Skipton Girls High School and Harrogate Grammar School. Key fire safety messages including arson, hoax calls and what actions to take in the event of a fire were delivered to a large number of pupils. Alongside programmed school visits there is the requirement to offer one to one support with children who have demonstrated fire setting behaviors. Recent activity has included meetings with children living in the Harrogate & Ripon areas.

Fire safety talks have also been delivered, one to residents of Manor Court following a flat fire within the premises and to student child minders at Knaresborough Childrens Centre. Road Safety continues to be a key initiative within the Districts and “Learn & Live” presentations have taken place at Craven College, all focusing on young drivers and the consequences of their actions. Over 600 students at this college have now received the “Learn & Live” input.

In conjunction with NYCC Road Safety staff the CSO’s have deployed the portable speed matrix recorders at 20 identified locations across both districts to assist in gathering information which is used to help prioritise prevention activities within these areas via the local Road Safety Partnership Groups.

7.2.2 Response Activity

The crews from Skipton have undergone intensive training with the new Argocat which is now operationally available, the vehicle can be deployed from one location to another using its road trailer and is mobilised with a supporting pump from Skipton. A joint wildfire exercise with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service crews is currently being planned for late June or early July 2014 which will enhance our joint working. The Tour De France planning process is progressing well, Stage 1 passes through Craven District and the finish is in Harrogate Town Centre, Stage 2 passes through both Harrogate and Craven on route to South Yorkshire. Working in partnership with other agencies we are aiming to maintain a “business as usual” approach as well as being able to deliver an


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emergency response to the thousands of visitors that will be visiting and staying within both districts during the race period.

Planning work is currently on going for a number of local exercises during 2014 which will include a hazardous material spillage scenario, water rescue and a joint exercise with the Cave Rescue team in the Grassington area.

The crew from Summerbridge have now relocated with their appliance into the new Fire Station; the facilities within the new Station have been well received by all concerned. An official opening will take place later this year and work is currently underway in regard to the organisation of this.

7.3 Scarborough & Ryedale 7.3.1 Prevention activity

Joint Prevention and Enforcement Team

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service continue to be part of the multi agency Joint Prevention and Enforcement team that has been formed to focus on creatively resolving issues within the Castle and Northbay area of Scarborough. The team has co-located in the town hall and has a good understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities and legislative powers. As well as effective enforcement, the team has also taken an integrated approach to prevention and support for vulnerable residents. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are seeing the benefits of this partnership approach. Vulnerable persons have been identified. They have been supported and given Home Risk Assessments and Smoke Alarms, fire retardant bedding, Security Letterboxes. Locations have been identified where bins are overloaded or rubbish has built up adjacent to flats and dwellings, this has been removed and the fire risk has been reduced. We have been working with housing associations to ensure that their resident’s safety is maintained. Fire & Police Safety Service The 'Safety Service' trial is continuing in the Eastfield and Castle wards of Scarborough district. On Monday the 2nd December 2013 the trial commenced of a new 'Safety Service’, made up of a Police Community Support Officers from North Yorkshire Police and Community Safety Officers from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The new Safety Service will test out how North Yorkshire Police and Fire and Rescue can better work together in the interests of local people. The new service is delivering community safety advice, practical help and reassurance to local people, especially those in most need, including the elderly and vulnerable. Issues highlighted are taken and dealt with when necessary by the Joint Prevention and Enforcement Team. Activities include joint home fire safety and crime prevention visits, along with the promotion of joint safety campaigns such as the dangers of alcohol, both in terms of alcohol related crime and alcohol related fires. They carry out local risk intelligence gathering to identify communities, groups and individuals who are ‘at risk’. We will share this information with our partners with a view to providing a total care approach. Road Safety

Since the tragedy on the B1248 that claimed three people’s lives and changed the lives of others who were injured that day the Scarborough & Ryedale Road Safety Tactical Group have been working on a strategy to stop avoidable incidents such as this happening again. Discussions have taken place with several large employers in the Malton area with a view to delivering additional road safety education to employees and employers. A range of literature, both written and visual has been prepared and delivered as an interim measure until mutually convenient dates are set to attend the businesses for more a personal educational experience. This way of working has proven successful previously with good feedback received. In addition, discussions are being held with Humberside


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colleagues with a view to undertaking joint initiatives as a high number of the travelling workforce reside in the Humberside area.

The B1248 has had some initial speed surveys undertaken by the local Road Safety Officer which will be used to provide evidence for future work on this road. The results mirror national average compliance rates, however this data will support development of education packages. Business Engagement Seminar

On the 27th March 2014, Scarborough Technical Fire Safety Department ran a Business Engagement Seminar at Green Lane business centre, Whitby. Two sessions were delivered on the day to the 61 businesses that attended. The seminar was targeted to businesses with sleeping accommodation e.g. B&B’s, Holiday Lets and small Hotels. The sessions incorporated a presentation on the Regulatory Reform Order; it took businesses through the 5 steps to completing a Risk Assessment and finished with a question and answer session. Excellent feedback has received from those attending and further seminars are to be planned in Scarborough.


Crews from Kirkbymoorside have undergone intensive training with the new Argocat which is now operationally available. The vehicle was put through its paces at a Wildfire District Exercise on the 13th March. Fire Crews from across the North Yorkshire eastern area combined with local landowners and partner agencies to test the Service’s ability to respond to a developing, multi seated fire across open moorland in the Jugger Howe area between Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay.

Crews and officers from Kirkbymoorside, Scarborough, Goathland and Pickering worked in partnership with the Hawk and Owl Trust and representatives from National Parks with kind permission of local landowners.

Crews used modern mapping facilities fitted to fire engines across the county, directing personnel to specific referenced points on the moorland. This information has been gathered with support from respective landowners, their agents and staff via the local Wildfire Liaison Group.

7.4 York & Selby 7.4.1 Prevention Activity

In preparation for the opening of the new York Fire Station at Kent Street the final phase of engaging with the local schools, to assist in ensuring that the new Station is firmly embedded within the immediate community, was completed during January. Various visits have taken place with the two schools in the immediate locality, St Georges Primary School and Fishergate Primary School. The schools have previously being visited by NYFRS Community Safety Officer’s and members of Caddick’s health and safety staff to deliver key safety messages around building site, fire and water safety.

A poster competition has also been launched, the aim of which is to encourage the children to create a poster highlighting a safety message (Fire Engines for key stage one pupils and Fire Safety for Key Stage 2 pupils). Each school having a winner in each category.

The winners will be selected by the Chief Fire Officer, Fire Authority Chair and a Senior Manager from Caddick’s Construction. The winners will then be invited to the official opening where they will be presented with a prize and a chance to see their art work which will be permanently displayed in the new Station.


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This work complements an on going programme of Fire Safety talks in Schools with a recent visit to All Saints School to impart fire safety knowledge to Yr 7 pupils. By engaging with people at a young age it is hoped that the safety messages will have a greater impact on their behaviour regarding fire safety as they mature into responsible young adults.

Community Safety Officer’s also attended a career fair at Joseph Rowntree School to deliver advice and education regarding careers in the Fire Service.

As part of the on going focus on the most vulnerable members of the community, and linked in to our Vulnerable Persons Initiative, a presentation was delivered to approximately 40 members of the Alzheimer’s Society at the Conservative Club in York.

With the recent unfortunate incidents involving lives lost in the waterways around York, much focus continues to be given to River Safety working with local partners.

A number of Press releases were issued and Radio interviews undertaken highlighting the dangers of alcohol consumption and entering the River. Local Community Safety Officers have been providing safety information to local bars and restaurants to assist them in engaging with their customers. In addition to this work we continue to provide direct safety input to new university students including the issues of river safety during their ‘fresher week.’ We continue to carry out proactive awareness campaigns around peak times such as summer bank holiday’s and at key events such as race weekends.


Work continues in the District to meet the challenges that will be presented by the visit of the Tour De France on the 6th of July. Our local teams are working with all partners to put emergency plans in place that will ensure that the public will see no drop in the standard of fire cover they can expect from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service during this busy period.

Response staff based at the former Clifford Street Fire Station have now moved to their new locations at Kent Street (which will now be known as York Fire Station) and Huntington.

Thanks in the main to the willingness of staff to engage with the physical move and subsequent change, the move took place relatively smoothly. The new ‘York Fire Station’ was handed over successfully and whilst there are the inevitable initial snagging issues, staff are gaining the benefits of being based in a modern workplace with better training facilities. Those staff that moved to Huntington have occupied the existing station and there are some internal alterations as well as the appliance bay for the Ariel Ladder Platform that have yet to be completed and it is anticipated that this will be finished by the end of the Summer. While there is some inconvenience to staff as a result of the site being occupied while some works are being undertaken, this is outweighed by the fact that the teams at this location are now forming a strong identity and a key objective of the York Project (improving response cover in that part of the City) has now been achieved. In addition to the Prevention activity surrounding river safety, local crews have been on the rivers in the Water Rescue Unit assisting the Police with searches and where there has been a distress to the public, recovering those bodies that have been located in public view to seek to reduce such distress as far as is practicable pending arrival of the Police regional underwater search team.


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One of the NYFRS training dummies used at the station for water rescue practice was loaned to the Police to assist them in determining where persons being submerged in waterways may have ended up taking into account the flow and currents in the water.

8.0 Sample of Notable Incidents 8.1 Hambleton & Richmondshire Area

Date: 28/01/2014 Location: RTC – A172 Stokesley (Fatality) In the evening of the 28th January crews from Northallerton, Richmond and Cleveland Fire Brigade attended a single vehicle RTC on the A172 where the car had left the road and collided with a signpost. Sadly the driver died at the scene prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. Date: 01/02/2014 Location: RTC – Leyburn Road, Catterick (Fatality) In the early evening of the 1st February crews from Colburn attended an RTC involving one vehicle which had left the road and collided with a tree. The driver of the vehicle sadly died at the scene prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. The passenger was taken to hospital for further treatment but unfortunately died on arrival at hospital. Date: 05/02/2014 Location: Barn Fire – Middlefield Farm, Melmerby In the late afternoon of the 5th February crews from several stations attended a barn fire in Melmerby. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to control the fire which was allowed to burn out under supervision. All livestock had been moved to a safe area prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. The cause of the fire was believed to be straw ignited by hot tractor exhaust. Date: 12/02/2014 Location: Fire – Bridge House Hotel, Catterick Village In the late evening of the 12th February crews from Colburn, Bedale, Northallerton, Leyburn and Durham and Darlington Fire & Rescue Service attended a fire at a hotel in Catterick Village. The fire started in the attic and spread through part of the roof. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. The hotel was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire was believed to be an electrical fault.

8.2 Harrogate & Craven Area

Date: 08/01/2014 Location: RTC – A65, Draughton (Fatality) In the early evening of the 8th January crews from Skipton attended an RTC involving a pedestrian on the A65. Sadly the pedestrian died at the scene prior to the arrival of the emergency services. Crews assisted Police with traffic management and erecting a temporary shelter at the scene. Date: 11/02/2014 Location: Chemical Incident – A1 Dishforth In the early afternoon of the 11th February crews from Boroughbridge, Ripon, Thirsk, Harrogate and Tadcaster’s Water Bowser attended an incident involving a curtain sided trailer on fire. The trailer contained 22 tonnes of hazardous materials. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was believed to be a contaminant in the product causing ignition. Date: 17/02/2014 Location: Special Service – Magdalens Close, Ripon


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In the early evening of the 17th February crews from Ripon attended an incident where a sink hole had appeared under a domestic property. Crews gained access to the property and rescued a dog. There were no other occupants in the house at the time. Crews cordoned off the area and evacuated neighbouring properties. The incident was left with the Police and Local Authority. The property was later demolished. Date: 09/03/2014 Location: Oakdale Avenue, Harrogate Crews from Harrogate attended an incident involving an oil drum which had caught fire following an accelerant being applied to it; this resulted in three persons being injured, one of which suffered severe burns to their hands and arms who was transported to hospital by road ambulance. Date: 14/03/2014 Location: Church Hill, North Rigton Crews from Harrogate attended a small fire in a domestic premises involving towels on an AGA cooker. Crews administered First Aid to one person who suffered slight burns whilst tackling the fire. Date: 18/03/2014 Location: Douk Ghyll Lane, Horton in Ribblesdale Five fire engines from the Craven area, supported by the Harrogate Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) extinguished a fire in a detached two storey property. An art gallery and a garage were destroyed whilst the living section of the property sustained only slight smoke damage. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel and main jets to extinguish the fire.

8.3 Scarborough & Ryedale Area

Date: 02/01/2014 Location: Fire – Unitarian Court, Scarborough In the evening of the 2nd January crews from Scarborough, including the ALP, and Filey attended a fire in a second floor flat. Crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued three occupants from the flat who had attempted to extinguish the fire prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. All three occupants were taken to hospital for further treatment. The cause of the fire was due to a naked flame igniting butane gas. Date: 03/01/2014 Location: Special Service – Scarborough Fire Station In the early hours of the 3rd January crews from Scarborough, including the ALP, attended an attempted suicide using the drill tower at Scarborough Fire Station. Crews stood by at the scene and liaised with the Police. After speaking to the Police the person came down from the drill tower safely via the use of the internal ladder. Date: 15/01/2014 Location: Special Service – Whitby Harbour (Fatality) In the early morning of the 15th January crews from Whitby attended an incident to assist the Ambulance Service with two unconscious casualties on a boat in the harbour at Whitby. Sadly the casualties died at the scene prior to the arrival of the Fire Service. Crews wearing breathing apparatus ventilated the vessel. The cause was confirmed as carbon monoxide poisoning. Date: 01/02/2014 Location: Fire – 1 The Limes Helmsley In the evening of the 1st February crews from Kirkbymoorside and Pickering, including the ALP from York attended a fire in single storey house. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. The owners of the house were out at the time of fire. During the fire investigation five separate seats of fire were identified. The property


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showed signs of forced entry, and items were identified as missing by the owners to the Police. The fire seats identified were deliberate acts of ignition and were set to ensure a substantial fire was lit. The Police investigation is on-going.

8.4 York & Selby Area

Date: 16/01/2014 Location: Fire – Newgen Recycling Ltd, Sherburn-in-Elmet In the morning of the 16th January 2014 crews from various stations from North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services including an ALP, High Volume Pump (HVP) and Foam and Water Bowsers attended a fire at a recycling plant in Sherburn-in-Elmet involving 15,000 tonnes of waste tyres. Crews used hose reel jets to contain the fire and water curtains to prevent it from spreading to an adjacent building containing machinery worth £2.5 million. The fire burned for several days until it was completely extinguished. Date: 16/01/2014 Location: Fire – Marston Business Park, Tockwith In the late morning of the 16th January 2014 crews from Boroughbridge, Skipton, Bedale and West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service attended a fire in a single storey industrial unit. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. Fire investigation of this incident was restricted as the building was deemed structurally unsafe. The cause of fire is believed to be an industrial oil heater left unattended which overheated. The Oil heater was used for processing used cooking oil to be used as a fuel. Date: 04/02/2014 Location: Fire – New Millgate, Selby In the late evening of the 4th February crews from Selby and York attended a fire in a first floor flat. Crews wearing breathing apparatus rescued one occupant from the flat and into the care of paramedics. Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. The occupant was suffering from severe smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for further treatment. Fire Investigation Officers are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Date: 24/02/2014 Location: Special Service – Malton Road, Huntington (Fatality) In the late afternoon of the 24th February crews from York attended an incident involving a collapsed person on a building site following a suspected cardiac arrest. Crews assisted the Ambulance service with moving the casualty into the ambulance. The casualty was taken to hospital for further treatment but sadly died later in hospital. Date: 13/03/2014 Location: A64 Bilbrough to Tadcaster East Crews from the York area attended an RTC and released one trapped person using hydraulic cutting equipment, hand tools and sharps protection. The person was transported to hospital by road ambulance suffering from back pain. Date: 13/03/2014 Location: A64 East Bound Carriageway Tadcaster Crews from the York area attended an RTC and worked with the ambulance service HART Team to release one trapped person from a refuse lorry. They used hydraulic cutting equipment, hand tools, sharps protection and scaffolding platforms off Tadcaster’s Heavy Rescue Unit. The casualty was transported to hospital by Air Ambulance. Date: 30th March 2014 Location: Vale Cottages, Stillington Two fire engines attended a smoke logged property and crews used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to rescue a person from within. The casualty was suffering from smoke inhalation and was handed into the care of paramedics.


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9.0 Recommendation 9.1 That Members note the report.

A. TROWSDALE Deputy Chief Fire Officer [email protected] 01609 788622 Background Documents There are no background documents to this report North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Thurston Road, NORTHALLERTON, DL6 2ND 2nd June 2014

mailto:[email protected]