Community Fire Safety Wm John Cousins

2. Community Fire SafetyWm John Cousins

3. Merseyside Overview • 40 per cent of the wards in Merseyside are ranked in the top 5 per cent of the most deprived wards in England. • Relatively high proportions of: • Children whose parents claim State benefits • Low level of safety education • Old housing stock • Primary school absence • High level of social exclusion and crime

4. Historical Data 1999 • 17 Fire deaths • 2,200 Accidental dwelling fires • 180 injuries due to the above fires • 3000 deliberate vehicle fires • 5000 deliberate primary firese.g. premises, vehicles, infrastructure…

5. A New Vision 1997 • Audit Commission • ‘Safe as Houses’ task force – domestic v commercial • Lack of effective communication with those most at risk • Community Fire Safety • Saving of £300m

6. Winning Hearts and Minds • Change of culture – Community F/F • Emphasis on ‘Prevention’ not ‘Response’ • National / local targets (IRMP) • High profile media campaigns

7. In The Beginning • Advertised free Smoke Alarms – unique • Blanket Approach – no strategic plan • Output Driven • Home Fire Safety Check – (HFSC)

8. HFSC • Scoring system to risk assess households • Fit free smoke alarms where required • Identifies Risks – Smokers, chip pan usage, disability, fire loading. • Identify most vulnerable • Most vulnerable received urgent intervention. • Recorded and monitored on a database • HFSC Form.xls

9. Our Tool Kit • Appropriate fire safety advice • Provide and fit smoke alarms • Fire retardant throws • Bedding packs • Deep fat fryers • Aprons • Extension leads/Remote power down sockets • Metal bins • Deaf Alarms • Suppression systems • Signposting to partner Agencies

10. CommunityFire Safety on Merseyside CFS was born in 2000 Identification of vulnerable clients in relation to fire. Themed Advocates came along in 2004.

11. Vulnerable Profile • 23 fatal fires. Causal factors. • Smoking 61%, • Alcohol 35% • Elderly 57% • Alone 65% • Disability 39% • No detector 48% • Mental health ?

12. Partnerships Partnerships are the key to identifying the most vulnerable. For example; • P.C.T • Social Services • Care Agencies • Police • Councils • Housing Associations (RSL’s)

13. Fire Service Direct Dedicated Fire Safety Customer Contact Centre

14. SUCCESS • 700,000 Smoke Alarms fitted free of • charge since 1999 • 250 000 homes checked • 64% fall in number of fire fatalities • 70% reduction fire injuries • 31% reduction in Accidental • Dwelling Fires • Cost of Accidental Dwelling Fires fallen • by 25% from £52m in 1999 to >40m • in 2006/07

15. Operation Homesafe • All properties in Merseyside Risk Assessed • Over 60 targeted campaign • Target to carry out over 120,000 RA’s by April 2010 using the RA toolkit.

16. Operation Home Safe Risk Assessment Toolkit • Intelligence led HFSC’s -60 Targeted Campaigns • Vulnerable Property Assessment (VPA) • FSD 6 point questionnaire • Mailshot

17. Data Sharing Engagement Not knowing the vulnerable person exists Fearful to change New advice not taken seriously Scared to open doors and visits may be missed Embarrassed due to poor housekeeping Permission from landlords for installation and maintenance of equipment Barriers to overcome

18. What Next.. • Working with Health • Health professionals on operational stations • Smoking Cessation • Train advocates to identify health issues • Partnership working / advertising • Introduce pathways of care • Use of statistical data • Local Risk Management plan • Joint multiple agency approach s

19. The Vision To make Merseyside a Safer, Stronger, Healthier Community

20. Anything is possible!!!

21. Community Fire Safety Any Questions?