Minutes:
The Borough Fire Commander (Kevin McKenzie) attended to update the Board.
LFB were still dealing with the implementation of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower enquiry Phase 1. Some of this involved the acquisition of new equipment and training.
LFB served a prohibition notice on June 11th at 14 West Street, Bromley BR1 1RF. The fire brigade was also notified that the property had been broken into and occupied by squatters. Relevant information was shared with LFB crews by Station Commanders. Fire crews carried out visual audits and reported back to the local authority as appropriate. The Commander felt that the incident at 14 West Street was a demonstration of good partnership work and information sharing.
A ‘Key Issues’ briefing was in the process of being updated and this would be distributed at a later date after it was completed.
The LFB commander had been in Bromley since 4th Feb and it was the fourth borough that he had worked in. The feedback relating to Community Impact days was noted, and the Commander commented that a more targeted approach in terms of resources and locations was required.
The Commander had met up with Andy Powell who was the LBB Community Safety Officer working with young people that had been involved in serious youth violence and crime. LFB acknowledged the need for youth engagement.
The issue of neurodiversity was discussed.
The Board received an update regarding the dangers of emollient creams.
Post Meeting Note: a briefing regarding this was disseminated post meeting.
Better training was being provided around fire risk inspections.
The LFB had attended a community event at Betts Park on 25th August—this was part of LFB’s commitment to engage more with the community.
The Biggin Hill Fire Station extension had been approved. This had helped LFB to strengthen links with the airport. LFB was carrying out exercises at the airport and there continued to be a good level of engagement between LFB and the airport.
The Commander was keen to continue good partnership work in places like Star Lane.
The Commander commented that Chislehurst Common was a potential fire risk in dry weather. Officers from the borough were working with the national trust to formulate a fire plan.
The Head of Trading Standards and Commercial Regulation referenced the successful collaborative work that had been undertaken in the past between LFB and LBB Trading Standards. Both parties desired that this successful collaborative working should continue.
The Assistant Director for Public Protection and Enforcement requested that the work being undertaken between LFB and Andy Powell to be added to the VRAP (Violence Reduction Action Plan).
The Assistant Director also requested that the LFB’s Community Risk Plan be circulated at the next meeting.
Councillor Cartwright asked for an update concerning the possible relaunch of the fire service cadets scheme. There was historically a very good fire service cadet scheme operating out of Orpington Fire Station. If the fire cadet scheme was going to restart, then LBB Trading Standards should realise that this would provide a source of young people who could be used for things like the test purchases scheme.
The Fire Commander confirmed that the possibility of restarting the cadet scheme was being looked at. It was hoped that the cadets would restart early in 2022. It was regarded as a well-respected scheme across the whole borough and was good for youth engagement
It was asked if the ‘LIFE’ programme could restart. The Fire Commander clarified that the ‘LIFE’ programme was unfortunately coming to an end. A different programme called ‘One Life’ was being run in partnership with the police.
RESOLVED that:
1) A ‘Key Issues’ briefing would be distributed at a later date after being updated.
2) LFB’s Community Risk Management Action Plan was out for consultation and the consultation period would end on 4th October. The LFB Commander would disseminate the final version of this after the close of the consultation period.
(Post meeting Note:--the draft version of the document was disseminated post meeting)
3) LFB and LBB Trading Standards would continue to develop their successful joint working partnership.
4) The work being undertaken by Andy Powell from the Community Safety Team in collaboration with LFB be added to the VRAP.