Fire MQT answers June 19

Former Clerkenwell Fire Station

Question No: 2019/12174

Andrew Dismore

What has been the total cost of a) security and b) maintenance from when the fire station was closed until it was brought back into temporary use recently?

Former Clerkenwell Fire Station

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

From the date the fire station was closed until it was brought back into use, the cost for providing a) security was £383,254 and b) maintenance was £146,007.

2018/19 LFB outturn

Question No: 2019/12175

Andrew Dismore

When does LFB expect to publish its outturn figures for 2018/19?

2018/19 LFB outturn

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The draft outturn report for 2018/19, to support the draft statement of accounts, was published on 31 May 2019. The report is available on the London Datastore through the following link: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/lfb-financial-and-performance-reporting-2018-19

LFB operational establishment (1)

Question No: 2019/12176

Andrew Dismore

Is LFB still on course to reach its full operational establishment by summer 2019; and what is that establishment?

LFB operational establishment (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

By July 2019, London Fire Brigade (LFB) will have only 26 vacancies against the operational establishment of 4792 full time equivalent (FTE) which represents 0.5 per cent of LFB’s establishment. This small shortfall has been as a result of unforeseen early retirements over the past two months. The remaining 26 vacancies are expected to be filled over July and August.

LFB operational establishment (2)

Question No: 2019/12177

Andrew Dismore

Please provide a) LFB’s actual number of FTE operational staff at the start and end of 2018/19 and 2019/20 and b) the operational establishment for those periods

LFB operational establishment (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

Please see the table below:

Date Operational Establishment Operational FTE
31 March 2018 4780.75 4570.44
31 March 2019 4791.25 4669.95
31 March 2020* 4791.25 4791.74

*based on current forecast

Staff pay increase

Question No: 2019/12178

Andrew Dismore

LFB has budgeted a 2% increase for all staff in the Medium Term Financial Plan. What contingencies exist in the case of higher pay awards being agreed?

Staff pay increase

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has budgeted for 2 per cent pay increases for all staff in line with guidance provided by the Mayor’s Office. The budget includes no contingency for higher pay increases, and any pay award above 2 per cent would currently result in an increased budget pressure. Exceptions to this would be any national agreement to pay operational staff in excess of 2 per cent that was accompanied by additional funding, or any local agreement that sought to identify savings as part of an overall package that included the higher pay award.

Apprenticeships for trainee firefighters

Question No: 2019/12179

Andrew Dismore

Please provide an update on the use of LFB’s apprenticeship levy payments for firefighter training.

Apprenticeships for trainee firefighters

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

Since the introduction of the levy in April 2017, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has played a key role in developing the new Level 3 Operational Firefighter apprenticeship standard with over 35 other FRSs and industry bodies. The LFB’s Operational Firefighter apprenticeship programme was introduced in November 2018 and all new firefighters complete the apprenticeship as part of their development.

LFB also played a key role in a successful challenge that doubled the maximum levy funding per firefighter, from £6k to £12k per firefighter. All levy funds will be spent, providing a £1.1m central budget saving (replacing levy expenditure), with the potential for further income through accessing co-investment funding from 2020/21, should firefighter recruitment remain at over 200 new recruits annually. The incremental costs to deliver the apprenticeship are approximately 50 per cent of the funding claimed per firefighter.

Command unit replacement

Question No: 2019/12180

Andrew Dismore

The slot price for the new command units has gone up, according to LFB’s Medium Term Financial Plan. What is the reason for this?

Command unit replacement

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is currently preparing a revised and improved specification as part of a project to procure replacement command units. This work has resulted in an increase to the estimated slot price in the Medium Term Financial Plan and the cost is still subject to further change as work continues on the specification. Key changes that have led to the forecast increase in the estimated cost include a move to address environmental impacts through new technology that is estimated to represent a higher cost than diesel options and moving from a lorry chassis to a bus chassis, which will provide a better platform for operational capabilities, but which comes with comparably higher maintenance and repair costs. The full Information Technology and Incident Command Operating System has yet to be fully defined but is expected to be provided through a managed support service with the cost included in the vehicle slot price.

Firefighter accommodation (1)

Question No: 2019/12181

Andrew Dismore

When does the Brigade expect to see the West Hampstead refurbished cottages occupied by firefighters?

Firefighter accommodation (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

Applications for planning and listed building consent to cover the refurbishment works were submitted to the London Borough of Camden and validated by the council in mid-January 2019. The works package was tendered in March 2019 and formal approval has now been sought for contract award, pending a decision on the listed building and planning consent. The current target date for occupation is February 2020.

Firefighter accommodation (2)

Question No: 2019/12182

Andrew Dismore

What sites is LFB intending to develop for firefighter housing and what is the total number of homes that will be delivered on each of these sites?

Firefighter accommodation (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The London Fire Commissioner (LFC) considers the potential to provide single persons quarters accommodation for firefighters as part of the feasibility studies for major refurbishments and rebuilds of its properties, subject to capacity, viability and demand. The only confirmed plan at this stage is the refurbishment of the West Hampstead cottages, which will provide eight single person’s quarters.

Airwave incidental coverage

Question No: 2019/12183

Andrew Dismore

In written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee, the National Fire Chiefs Council stated that the incidental coverage of the Emergency Services Network is unlikely to be as good as Airwave’s. What assessment has LFB made of the potential impact of this in London when ESN is eventually implemented?

Airwave incidental coverage

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

Incidental coverage generally refers to non-contractual coverage in buildings. As the fire and rescue service use Airwave/ESN principally in the open, London Fire Brigade (LFB) does not envisage there being a problem. In buildings, LFB uses an ‘off network’ radio system that does not rely on such coverage. The current plan is for coverage testing to begin taking place in late 2019, when LFB will ensure that coverage is in place in all areas to meet their operational requirements.

Emergency Services Network

Question No: 2019/12184

Andrew Dismore

When do you expect LFB to replace Airwave with the Emergency Services Network?

Emergency Services Network

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The current planning assumption based on all available information is that London Fire Brigade will commence transition to the Emergency Services Network in early 2022, completing by the end of that year.

Hackitt review team use of Union Street

Question No: 2019/12185

Andrew Dismore

Has any agreement been reached for the Hackitt review team to occupy the space at Union Street recently vacated by London TravelWatch; and if so will they be paying a commercial rent?

Hackitt review team use of Union Street

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The Building Safety Team advising the Government programme arising from Dame Judith Hackitt’s review are a combination of LFB staff and seconded officers from other fire and rescue services. Seconded officers are principally located in the Home Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) offices when required in London for meetings. They attend London Fire Brigade headquarters when required, utilising agile working spaces within the building. These arrangements are not due to change.

Additional Fire Cadets units

Question No: 2019/12186

Andrew Dismore

When do you expect each new Fire Cadet unit to begin operations, following the extra £1.1m of funding from the Mayor?

Additional Fire Cadets units

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The expansion of London Fire Brigade (LFB) Fire Cadet units will take place in two tranches. The first tranche in January 2020 will see units opening in Greenwich, Redbridge, Kingston, Hammersmith & Fulham, Barnet, Camden, Wandsworth and Hillingdon. In the second tranche in April 2020, units will open in Enfield, Ealing, Harrow, Hounslow, Sutton, Richmond and the City of London.

ULEZ adaptations (1)

Question No: 2019/12187

Andrew Dismore

What percentage and number of each category of LFB’s fleet is currently non-compliant with the ULEZ?

ULEZ adaptations (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) fleet compliance with the ULEZ is shown in the following table:

Category Compliant Non-Compliant
Pumping appliances 119 (58%) 88 (42%)
Aerials 0 19 (100%)
Fire Rescue Units 0 18 (100%)
Command Units 0 9 (100%)
Front Line Specials 0 38 (100%)
Cars 60 (100%) 0
Vans 20 (65%) 11 (35%)
Totals 199 (49%) 211 (51%)

All fleet vehicles stationed within the inner zone are compliant and have been since ULEZ was introduced. Stations with ‘grounds’ that spread into the inner zone have allocated pumping appliances that are compliant. The rest of the LFB fleet is planned to be compliant by the end of October 2021 through the asset replacement programme. However, the Home Office has no plans for the National Resilience prime mover and the detection, identification and monitoring (DIM) vehicles to be replaced by October 2021. In addition, a certified ‘after fit’ exhaust treatment system has not been found, so there is a risk these twenty-six National Resilience vehicles will not be compliant by October 2021. The LFB also already operate an electric car fleet.

The whole LFB fleet is either compliant, registered within the sunset period or only operated outside central London, and so the LFB has not been issued any ULEZ charges. Some officers’ cars used under the essential car user scheme are non-compliant and, therefore, could incur a charge if driven within the inner zone, but no ULEZ penalty charge notices have been reclaimed to date.

The LFB also operate and maintain 27 National Resilience prime mover and detection, identification and monitoring (DIM) vehicles on behalf of the Home Office. All these vehicles are currently non-compliant and I am concerned there are no plans to upgrade them. I urge the Government to match our ambition and leadership and ensure these vehicles are compliant by October 2021.

ULEZ adaptations (2)

Question No: 2019/12188

Andrew Dismore

When will LFB’s fleet be ULEZ compliant for the inner zone?

ULEZ adaptations (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 21 June, 2019

Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/12187

ULEZ adaptations (3)

Question No: 2019/12189

Andrew Dismore

Will LFB’s fleet be ULEZ compliant by the rollout of the expanded zone in October 2021?

ULEZ adaptations (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 21 June, 2019

Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/12187

ULEZ adaptations (4)

Question No: 2019/12190

Andrew Dismore

How much has LFB paid in ULEZ charges since its inception?

ULEZ adaptations (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 21 June, 2019

Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/12187

Role to rank

Question No: 2019/12191

Andrew Dismore

Is role to rank on track to be implemented by 2021?

Role to rank

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The Role-to-Rank project is on track to go live on 15 October 2019.

Croydon training facility

Question No: 2019/12192

Andrew Dismore

What is the cost of developing the Croydon training facility?

Croydon training facility

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The cost of developing the Croydon training facility remains within the allocated budget of £15.5m.

Answer for Croydon training facility

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

Officers are drafting a response

Diversity in the firefighter intake

Question No: 2019/12193

Andrew Dismore

What percentage of a) applicants and b) appointees in the most recent recruitment round were a) BAME and b) women and c) BAME women?

Diversity in the firefighter intake

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

At the last London Fire Brigade firefighter recruitment round there were 6,545 applicants. Of these there were 1,358 BAME applicants (20.75 per cent), 647 women applicants (9.89 per cent) and 163 BAME woman applicants (2.49 per cent). Of the 357 appointees, the number of BAME appointees was 31 (8.68%), 41 women appointees (11.48%) and 4 (1.12%) BAME women appointees. The current recruitment round has seen a further 650 applications and provides greater encouragement with 40% of applicants from BAME groups and 30% female.

LFB input into planning applications (1)

Question No: 2019/12194

Andrew Dismore

How many planning applications did LFB comment on in each year from 2010/11 onwards?

LFB input into planning applications (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is not a statutory consultee for planning applications, so the information requested is not available. LFB is, however, a statutory consultee for building control consultations.

During the period requested, approximate numbers of Building Control Consultations received by the LFB were as follows:

  • 01/04/2010 and 31/03/2011 10530
  • 01/04/2011 and 31/03/2012 10899
  • 01/04/2012 and 31/03/2013 10839
  • 01/04/2013 and 31/03/2014 10768
  • 01/04/2014 and 31/03/2015 11109
  • 01/04/2015 and 31/03/2016 10900
  • 01/04/2016 and 31/03/2017 11157
  • 01/04/2017 and 31/03/2018 10975
  • 01/04/2018 and 31/03/2019 10276

LFB input into planning applications (2)

Question No: 2019/12195

Andrew Dismore

How many representations put forward by LFB on planning applications were taken up by the developer and/or planning authority concerned in 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19?

LFB input into planning applications (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is not a statutory consultee for planning applications, so the information requested is not available. While LFB is a statutory consultee for building control consultations, it is for the building control body (either Local Authority or Approved Inspector) to provide the final approval. LFB does not hold information on how many of their comments were taken up by the developer and/or the approving authority.

Demand on fire safety inspection officers (1)

Question No: 2019/12196

Andrew Dismore

How many hours of overtime has been logged by LFB’s fire safety inspection officers in 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19?

Demand on fire safety inspection officers (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

The number of overtime hours logged by Fire Safety Inspecting Officers over the last three years is: 2016/17 – 132 hours, 2017/18 – 973 hours and 2018/19 – 446 hours. The increase in the last two years is largely due to activity reviewing safety in high rise buildings following the Grenfell Tower fire.

Demand on fire safety inspection officers (2)

Question No: 2019/12197

Andrew Dismore

How many fire safety inspection officers does LFB currently employ and how many does the Brigade predict it needs to deal with future demand?

Demand on fire safety inspection officers (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has an establishment of the equivalent of 152.5 Fire Safety Inspecting Officers. In addition to this, LFB has a number of technical officers in roles such as Engineering, Petroleum, Transport and Business Support who provide assistance and support to underpin the inspection regime. LFB is currently preparing a response to the Government’s consultation for implementing the recommendations of the Hackitt review and providing information to the call for evidence on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that may inform changes to the Order. Once final proposals are agreed, LFB will assess the impact on resources going forward.

Action against Responsible Persons

Question No: 2019/12198

Andrew Dismore

Since 2017, has LFB taken formal action against any Responsible Persons over failures to meet required interim fire safety standards where a high-rise block is found to have fire safety problems; and if so on how many occasions?

Action against Responsible Persons

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has not taken formal action against any Responsible Persons over failures to maintain interim fire safety measures where they have been put in place. LFB has instituted ad hoc checks by local fire station-based crews of those premises with interim measures to ensure they remain in place until the required remediation works are carried out. In addition, LFB has procedures in place to respond to fire safety concerns raised by residents in any premises, including those blocks with interim measures in place.

New LFB equipment

Question No: 2019/12199

Andrew Dismore

What items of newly available, under development, or experimental equipment is the LFB currently evaluating or expects to evaluate in the current financial year?

New LFB equipment

The Mayor

Last updated: 25 June, 2019

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is currently evaluating the use of drones to support improved situational awareness. Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) and Ultra High-Pressure Lance (UHPL) based technologies are under evaluation and misting branch technology and a Scorpion fire engine are also scheduled for evaluation this year, all of which involve innovative ways of managing fires without having to enter the fire compartment, which improves firefighter safety. ‘PVStop’, the liquid polymer in a fire extinguisher used to isolate the energy from solar panels in an emergency, is currently being evaluated on LFB’s aerial fleet. For breathing apparatus (BA), LFB is evaluating powered clear speech diaphragms to improve communications both between crew members and the public. LFB is also evaluating new cylinder types and durations, which could reduce the weight and improve the duration of BA use.

FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare