West Midlands Fire Service Vulnerable Persons Officers Program

1. Main Heading Sub Heading/Body Copy West Midlands Fire Service VPO’s

2. Day 1- Introduction Eddie Sammons dynamic mobilising Katrina Harris Safeguarding and professional Conduct Ian Sturmey VPO Role, case studies and equipment Gary Hall (Baywater) Medical oxygen risks Paul Hinkley Occupational Health Day 2- Adult Safeguarding & Mental Capacity Act Day 3- Dementia Awareness Day 4/5- Adult Mental Health Awareness Course Content

3. Main Heading Early Beginnings Sub Heading/Body Copy • WMFS recognised a common theme with fire deaths and injuries • Decision to initiate Vulnerable Persons Officers role formally (VPO) May 2010 • Recognition of training needs to specialise, to meet the needs • Idea came from a pilot project in Coventry with Mental Health Teams • Started at 30 VPO’s, now over 100 delivering bespoke interventions

4. Main Heading Enter the VPO Sub Heading/Body Copy • Provide appropriate and effective interventions to improve safety for those identified as extremely vulnerable • Gateway and conduit to partners, carers and professionals who have a shared responsibility for the safety of vulnerable people • Develop referral systems with our partner agencies.

5. We were not targeting the most vulnerable people We were targeting properties not people Preventable fire deaths have not reduced in recent years Insufficient skills internally to work efficiently with partners The Reasons for Change

6. Partnership Officer & VP Lead CRRO Youth and Adult VPOs Operational Crews Command StructureSupporting VPOs

7. Don’t panic you will be supported Shadowing experience VPO You wont be thrown in at the deep end What's it like?

8. Deliver bespoke interventions mostly in core hours Deal with the most complex cases? Work with Partners in a multi agency environment Deliver training to Partners Create and enhance Cascade training to crews (MECC, Your role etc) Point of contact for crews Attend Serious Incident Reviews when needed What's it like?

9. What's it like? • Do we get paid? • Will I get rich from being a VPO?

10. Improving lives to save lives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1g_UZhPX44 SamBurton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9lYxs1fuXQ Kate Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqrm1LB1c_k Alan Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVG_SAiKk3c Experiences

11. Work carried out must be approved by VPO Lead Officer. Where possible work like cascade training, working with partners should be carried out in core hours. Interventions are best completed outside of core hours Referral Process

12. Mental Health issues/ Dementia Mobility/Physical Impairment Sensory loss Learning Difficulties Substance dependency (Drugs & Alcohol) Prescribed drugs Chaotic Lifestyle Signs of previous fires (eg cigarette burns) Live alone Smoker Who do we target?

13. National organisations Social Services/Adults & Communities Social Housing providers Telecare National & Local Charities Small voluntary groups Carers/ Family members/friends Anyone who goes through the front door of a vulnerable person! Which partners do we work with?

14. Mental Health Within the West Midlands of the last 37 fire deaths 28 (75%) have all had a history of mental ill health. 5% of the population are having 80% of the fires !

15. Alcohol or substance misuse is a factor for nearly half of all dwelling fires where mental health issues were present. Combined with smoking or cooking the risk increases dramatically. Due to reduced cognitive ability, not only are fires more likely to start, but the person is less likely to escape. Substance misuse (Drugs & Alcohol)

16. Common Conditions that affect fire safety? Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia Personality Disorder Depression Dual Diagnosis Substance misuse (Drugs & Alcohol)

17. Physical Disability/ Mobility Difficulties More people with disability are now living independently in their own homes instead of living in supported accommodation. The main fire safety issues are: • Smokers who are bed dependant • Escape Plans and Night Time Routine • Alerting the emergency services

18. Risks associated Sensory Loss Deafness affects 1 in 7 people in the UK Ranging from mild to profound hearing loss Main risk with deafness is inability to be alerted in case of fire. Fire Service can identify the risks and help find the best solutions.

19. 10 year smoke alarms Heat Alarms Low Frequency sounder Hearing Impaired alarms Deep fat fryers (not commonly available) Mattress toppers Fire retardant mats Letterbox protectors Fire retardant bedding & throws Portable and fixed Suppression Systems Telecare Equipment Available ?

20. Portable Units Low cost fixed suppression Suppression units

21. Portable Suppression units 18 in Brigade Misting system Rapid deployment Single room use Limited coverage Limited duration

22. Low cost fixed suppression • Cost met by RSLs and WMFS • More pleasing to the eye • Better protection eg more heads

24. What is Telecare? Extension of Community Alarm/Careline Additional auxiliary equipment Telecare and Telehealth

25. Telecare and Telehealth

26. Telehealth

27. GTC Sensory awareness VPO recall Managing VPO’s Drugs and Alcohol awareness Command training days bcda Classroom Elearning http://bcda.learningpool.com/index.php Hoarding http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/cir.pdf Available training/resources

28. Serious Incident Review • History • Previously no coordinated approach to looking at fire fatalities or serious incidents. • There were FOSIs and a narrative report from FDS Officers • WMFS had no mechanism for structured learning from such incidents

29. What happened next? Pilot scheme set up by Community Safety HQ, February 2011 Looks at the circumstances that led up to a fire fatality or serious incident Criteria for setting up an SIR was: Any fire fatality A potential fire fatality Incident involving an over 65 with significant smoke inhalation Incident that involves children and burns Serious Incident Review

30. What does the SIR process do? Process focused on Learning Outcomes Links with Serious Case Reviews and Safeguarding Looks to involve external partners Influence WMFS, Regional and National Community Safety Helps identify trends Serious Incident Review

31. Sections Sections1&2- Initial circumstances& WMF involvement. Attending FDS Officer Section 3-Partner engagement: Operations Commander/Command Team Section 4 Fire investigation Attending FRIS officer Section 5 Legislative Fire Safety Command area Fire Safety Manager Section 6 Learning outcomes meeting Operations Command, Community Safety HQ, Partner Organisations FRIS etc. Serious Incident Review

32. Main Heading Serious Incident Reviews Sub Heading/Body Copy GenderAge Female    37% (11) Over 50 80% (24) Male    63% (19) Over 65 47% (14)   Over 80 23% ( 7) Suspected Cause  Smoking      40% (12) Electrical           17% ( 5) Cooking                     13% ( 4) Too close to Combustibles 10% ( 3) Other                           10% ( 3) Self Immolation        7% ( 2) Homeless/Arson       3% ( 1) Known Dementia Diagnosis 18% (5) In receipt of Known Care Package 27% (8)

33. Any Questions ? ?