Issue - meetings

The group considered a verbal update by Station Commander Martin Hill, who updated the group in terms of the Autumn and Bonfire strategies.  He advised that there had been a small number of fires and special services, such as flooding assistance over the last quarter but a larger number of road traffic incidents.  Mr Hill advised that the Service were currently moving into their festive strategy which had a number of strands.  He spoke of the safety literature which was currently available and that with every Tesco delivery a safety leaflet was included.  Discussion took place in relation to joint working, dangerous driving campaigns and the young fire fighters scheme. 

The Chair thanked Station Commander Hill for the information provided. 

Report on house fire issue on Colonsay

The Area Governance Manager advised the group that she had recently been made aware of the retirement of Group Commander Eddie Renfrew on 29 August 2014.  She advised that to date there had been no indication of a replacement for Mr Renfrew, but would take this matter forward to ensure future attendance from Scottish Fire and Rescue. 

The Chair requested that a written note on the Colonsay House Fire be provided.  Mrs MacLeod agreed to take this matter forward also. 

There was no update for this item.

Report on house fire issue on Colonsay

The group considered a report from Group Commander Eddie Renfrew which was tabled at the meeting and provided the detail of a dwelling house fire at Col na Sithe; Upper Kilchattan; Colonsay. He advised that at present there was no Fire & Rescue mapping information, regarding hydrant locations or pressures, currently in place for remote/island communities.  However, he continued that these may be available from Scottish Water. Group Commander Renfrew emphasised that the local fire crews would have knowledge of existing mains supplies and, in addition, he hoped they would be conversant with available open water sources.

After a series of questions, it was agreed that Group Commander Renfrew would identify a way forward to deal with issues which his incident had raised and would forward to elected Members details of the actions taken.

Decision

The group noted the update from Scotland Fire and Rescue.

The group heard an update from Andy McClure, Scotland Fire and Rescue. He reported that Bonfire Night had been without incident across the areas. He felt this was due in part to local organised events.

He advised that there were still recruitment issues in Tarbert.  However 2 retained fire fighters were helping out in the interim period. The Winter Campaign had commenced and Scotland Fire and Rescue were publicising the need to check electric blankets, etc. In addition, the forthcoming Christmas Campaign would try and alert the public to the danger of unattended candles, etc.

Councillor MacAlpine raised the issue of lack of local representation on the new National Fire Board.  Mr Reppke advised that he did not know if any local person had been appointed to the board, the new national arrangements had been put in place by the Scottish Government including the governance arrangements  .

 Decision

The group noted the update from Scotland Fire and Rescue.

The group heard an update from Group Commander Eddie Renfrew.  He reported on the on-going difficulties in recruitment in some local areas and asked the group if they could make any suggestions/offer advice on how to address this issue.  The group made various suggestions in regards the possibility of engaging with local schools and local employers to try and find a solution to this.

Discussion followed in the following:-

·         Uneven ground at Tarbert First station

·         Referrals on fire risks in homes of vulnerable clients – 42 made across the Argyll and Bute area.

Decision 

The group agreed:-

1.                  Note the update

2.                  That Theresa McLetchie would provide the contact details of the Head of Education to Eddie Renfrew to enable a meeting with local Head Teachers.  

• Reform Update
• Spring Strategy
• Hearing Impairment Referrals

Group Commander Eddie Renfrew reported that his area of remit now covered both East and West Dunbartonshire. He informed the group that Scotland Fire and Rescue service were hoping to appoint Local Authority Liaison Officers.

He was hoping to address the ongoing problem at the Tarbert station which was still being under-manned.  In addition, he reported that they were hoping to instigate a formal qualification for the young Fire Fighters.

Eddie informed the group on the severity of fires during the recent dry period and reported that the Service were hoping to identify ‘hot spots’ of the fires.     

Group Commander Eddie Renfrew reported on the success of the Winter Strategy Fire Campaign, which had run from 19 December, 2012 - January, 2013 and thanked partners for their help and support.

He advised that the figure for Road Traffic Accidents were down for this year.

The Young Fire Fighters in Campbeltown were doing extremely well and discussions were on-going with Argyll College in attaining a qualification and, perhaps, instigating a future course.

A further initiative - The Red Truck - had been very successful while based in Tarbert.  A total of 40 people had been trained and it has also been used for possible recruitment.  The Red Truck would be moving to Lochgilphead on 6 April.

Group Commander Renfrew then gave a short presentation on the Local Plan for Argyll and Bute.

The Chair thanked Group Commander for his informative update and presentation.

• Community Safety Partnership Working
• Proposed Cooksafe Courses
• SF & R Media and Festive Season/Winter Campaign

Eddie Renfrew reported that there had been no incidences of rogue/secondary fires over the course of the Bonfire period.  Strathclyde Fire and Rescue were now implementing their Festive Season strategy.  He highlighted the recent media campaign ' Join the Fight against Fire and reported on the success of the Young FireFighters initiative at Campbeltown Fire Station.  Discussions were now underway with Argyll College to instigate a qualification (an SQA equating  to  4 units), which  would advantage any of the young Fire Fighters who wished to advance and make a career in the Fire Fighting service.  The Chair requested that Eddie update the group on progress made on this issue.