Agenda item

Steve Norman, LBBD Borough Commander, London Fire Brigade, gave a presentation on the risks and action that could be taken to reduce incidents and deaths resulting from fires in relation to vulnerable residents, especially those that smoke and have a mixture of conditions such as health, memory, disability and frailty issues.  Approximately 80% of fatal fires occur in premises where a care package had already been put into place and many such incidents may be preventable.  On a non-emotional level, the economic cost of assessment and provision of tailored equipment to reduce the risk(s) would be significantly less than damage repairs or total loss of property. 

The Board’s attention was drawn to the new safety standards (BS5839 Part 6), aims and matrix, set out in the report, and how the needs and risks would change depending on whether people were resident in individual properties, sheltered community or care homes.  Steve presented a number of examples and then explained how major impact could be achieved in simple easy to implement changes such as fire chair rugs, storage of combustible materials away from heightened risk seating / bed areas, personal suppression systems, type and placement of detectors and alarms and ensuring that separate telephone lines were provided for personal alarms and fire alarms. 

Whilst the Fire Brigade were expert in fire prevention they would also be able undertake assessments, such as trip and other hazards, when at a property. 

Bids could also be made for funding from £1m that had been set aside for prevention work.

Steve explained the potential benefits of upgrading and commissioning to the higher standards, which were due in December 2016.  Tudur Williams, LBBD, Operational Director Service Development and Improvement, felt that some important steps could be made in the meantime and that the opportunity for partnership working should be pursued as a matter of urgency.  Recognition of fire risks training for staff, such as health professionals, social workers, housing, care and other front line staff, would be welcomed as soon as possible.  It may also be beneficial to have a common fire risk section on assessment and other people centred forms, which could then also form part of the processes for care plans and hospital discharges etc.

Cllr Turner, raised concern about fire risk in poorly adapted properties, houses in multiple occupation and bad landlords who do not provide alarms, safe exits etc.  Steve advised that there were not many deaths in private houses in multiple occupation, however, there were certainly injuries occurring from fires in such properties.  LBBD’s Private Rented Property Licensing Service had taken the decision to be proactive and fund the provision of alarms to houses in multiple occupation and had also been working with the Brigade to identify houses at risk. 

Sarah Baker, Independent Chair of LBBD Safeguarding Adult’s and Children’s Boards, also pointed out that there were fire risks in homes with disabled children, due to the amount of equipment that that was often needed, and that it would be important to also work with Children’s Centres and to consider expanding fire risk assessment and prevention to all vulnerable individuals between the ages of 0 to 100.  Vulnerable people of all ages could also be in a larger family setting and potentially could increase the risks to others.

The Board:

(i)  Discussed the information provided and the proposed work to investigate the potential improvements identified for the prevention of fires for vulnerable people, including the potential for Joint Partnership working and bid opportunities; and

(ii)  Agreed, in principle, to support the actions set out in the report and to work with the Fire Brigade to produce a Partnership approach to service provision fire and other risk assessments, which would be reported back to the Board in due course.