Rapid Response NetworkExternal Agencies Workshop

26th January 2011Middleton Railway

Paul ArmitageTony Firth

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Workshop Objectives

• Fire Service responsibilities regarding collection and recording risk information

• Before an emergency – Preplanning– What you can do?– What the fire service can do to assist you?

• During the emergency• After the emergency

Fire Service Responsibilities

• Management of Health and Safety Regulations – legal obligation to provide a safe workplace.

– Assessment of risks and make relevant information available to staff – the whole of West Yorkshire and cross boarder with neighbouring fire services

• Fire Service Act 2004 – gather information as an aid to pre-planning strategy and tactics at incidents.

– 7(2)(d) inspections

– Powers of Entry – Section 45 & 46 for obtaining information and investigating fires.

– Familiarise with premises, associated risks so that crews better prepared when dealing with incidents

– Gather and record information that will assist crews when responding to incidents

• Operational Procedures and incident information

Fire Service Responsibilitiesduring an emergency

• Save life• Safe property• Protect contents• Balance ‘Risk vs Benefits’• Fire Service Incident Commander

has overall responsibility at fire incident

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Before an emergency – PreplanningWhat you can do?

• Automatic Fire Detection System linked to a central control• Protocols for calling out the administrator and their emergency

support team• Emergency Support Team structure and how to identify• Fire Folder: easy accessible secure cabinet

– Site and floor plans– Inventory – up to date include temporary exhibits– Room cards – contents, photos and priority lists– Salvage resources and temporary storage– Emergency telephone numbers– Anything else to assist with an emergency– Recovery or protection: dependent on emergency situation

• Recovery and removal threatened by fire, smoke and water• Protection of items in situ from water and smoke damage

• Personal Protective Equipment– Hard Hats, Boots, Overalls, Lights, Gloves, Dust Masks 5

Before an emergency – Preplanning

What the fire service can do to assist you?• Joint site inspection - 7(1)(d)• Risk information – Fire-fighter Safety• Site information: Fire Response & Resources

– Access for fire appliances and other response vehicles– Hard standing – Turning and holding areas for fire appliances and other response vehicles– Optimum position for aerial appliances and other specialist response vehicles– Water supplies: YW and /or private hydrants and open water– Safe areas where salvaged items can be stored temporarily during the

emergency

• Risk Templates: Site Specific Risk Information

• Joint training– Fire Service Tactical Procedures– Emergency Support Team callout procedures– Recovery and Protection– Tabletop– Site exercises

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During the fire

• Administrator make self and team available to Incident Commander• With the administrator the Incident Commander will consider the

following:– Salvage operations are likely to be extensive and resource intensive– Full use should be made of personnel who are familiar with the building and

contents– Maintain a close liaison with the premises staff to ensure that their advice is

available at all times– Basic firefighting/salvage principles such as keeping the use of water to an

effective minimum, early ventilation, etc, should be observed

• At an incident it is essential that salvage/recovery operations are commenced as soon as possible. The majority of internal recovery will be done by Fire Service personnel, with members of staff advising and assisting outside the building.

• The Incident Commander risk assessments may allow staff/emergency support personnel to work inside the building under direct close supervision of a Fire Service Officer

After the fire

• Fire service will endeavour to limit disturbance when damping down

• Fire investigation – cause and origin• Fire Safety investigation• New normality• Review Fire Service Procedures and

your Contingency Plans

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What Next

• Contact local fire station to arrange a joint visit.

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