Fire Written MQT answers September 2020
Question No: 2020/3051
Andrew Dismore
What impact does the government’s decision to exclude Huawei from rolling out 5G services and their involvement in 4G have on the overdue and over budget development of the Emergency Services Network, and on ensuring inter-service operability?
Huawei
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
The Emergency Service Network (ESN) Programme is a Home Office led project and an official statement on Huawei is expected in the coming weeks. In the meantime, London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police have had discussions through the Programme Board and understand that the removal of Huawei equipment from EE’s network is being managed and monitored closely to ensure any disruption to the build, or operation of ESN is avoided. The Home Office reports that it does not anticipate any impact on programme schedules. All ESN traffic is encrypted across the mobile network therefore the security risk during the transition period is minimal.
Cottages behind West Hampstead fire station
Question No: 2020/3066
Andrew Dismore
What progress is being made with the refurbishment of the cottages behind West Hampstead fire station?
Answer for Cottages behind West Hampstead fire station
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Delay to incorporation of Grenfell Tower learning
Question No: 2020/3067
Andrew Dismore
The Consolidated GTI and HMI action plan notes a delay from April 2020 to March 2021 incorporating learning from Grenfell Tower into incident command training, so that all LFB personnel understand the nature and risk of high rise and external wall system fires. Why is the delay on this so much longer than other covid-19 related impacts?
Answer for Delay to incorporation of Grenfell Tower learning
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Operational discretion training (1)
Question No: 2020/3068
Andrew Dismore
Has London Fire Brigade completed operational discretion training for level 1 and 2 officers? If not, when will it do so?
Answer for Operational discretion training (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Operational discretion training (2)
Question No: 2020/3069
Andrew Dismore
It has been suggested that the operational discretion logs underplay the extent LFB officers are working outside LFB policies, attributed to cultural problems within the Brigade. In addition to training for officers, what steps is the Brigade taking to ensure officers feel supported to use their judgement?
Operational discretion training (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The revised operational discretion policy is due to be published in November 2020 subject to formal consultation. The policy incorporates best practice by aligning with National Operational Guidance. The policy will be simplified to provide greater clarity on the safety critical steps required when exercising operational discretion. A key component of this policy will be the inclusion of a written declaration of support from the London Fire Commissioner to operational staff. This will help address the cultural issues identified and empower officers to make the right decisions knowing they have the Commissioner’s support.
Training exercises during the covid-19 pandemic
Question No: 2020/3070
Andrew Dismore
What steps is London Fire Brigade taking to enable face to face training at various levels to take place while covid-19 remains in general circulation?
Training exercises during the covid-19 pandemic
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has a training recovery plan in place to ensure the delivery of essential risk critical training required to maintain operational capability. Training content has been changed to enable Covid-19 control measures to be implemented. LFB’s delegates maintain 2 metre social distancing wherever possible, and additional external venues have been secured to support this strategy. Face coverings and eye protection are being utilised where a distance of 2 metres or more cannot be maintained between delegates and trainers due to the course learning objectives. Reduced class sizes have also been implemented for some courses.
Hand sanitiser is provided at venues and antibacterial wipes provided in all rooms. In addition, signage has been placed at training venues promoting current Government guidelines on self-isolation, sanitation and social distancing. Training facilities are now subject to an increased cleaning regime including concentration on high touch areas such as door handles.
Urban firefighting and rescue course
Question No: 2020/3071
Andrew Dismore
Please provide an update on the five-day course covering high rise, fire survival guidance and evacuation policies as noted in LFB’s consolidated GTI and HMI action plan.
Answer for Urban firefighting and rescue course
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3072
Andrew Dismore
When do you expect the evacuation steering group to next meet, and what has been its previous meeting schedule, and what is its membership?
Answer for Evacuation steering group (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3073
Andrew Dismore
What involvement did LFB have in the design of the call for evidence, commissioning and related work from academics for the evacuation steering group, and when will this research be complete?
Answer for Evacuation steering group (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3074
Andrew Dismore
What preparation is LFB making for the eventuality that its high-rise firefighting policies currently in development are contrary to the findings of the evacuation steering group?
Answer for Evacuation steering group (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3075
Andrew Dismore
LFB’s Consolidated GTI and HMI action plan states that “it has been determined that the evacuation steering group did not meet in February”. How was this determined?
Answer for Evacuation steering group (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3076
Andrew Dismore
Have any prototypes or actual equipment relating to whole-building evacuation alert systems been delivered to LFB or NFCC?
Answer for Evacuation alert systems
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Breathing apparatus data review
Question No: 2020/3077
Andrew Dismore
What was the conclusion of LFB’s review of the effectiveness of extended duration breathing apparatus in high rise fires?
Answer for Breathing apparatus data review
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3078
Andrew Dismore
When will LFB publish their culture change plan?
Answer for Culture change plan
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Value for money in LFB contracts
Question No: 2020/3079
Andrew Dismore
Have any contract specific remedial action plans been initiated following the review of the Brigade’s contracts?
Answer for Value for money in LFB contracts
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
8 Albert Embankment redevelopment – September 2020
Question No: 2020/3080
Andrew Dismore
Please provide an update on the redevelopment of the old Brigade headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment following the Secretary of State’s decision to call in the planning application
8 Albert Embankment redevelopment – September 2020
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The Planning Inspectorate has appointed an inspector and the Public Inquiry has been confirmed as starting on Tuesday 1 December 2020. The Inquiry is expected to last eight days and will be held in virtual format to avoid any potential delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. London Fire Brigade’s development partner U+I is working with their legal representatives to ensure all processes required by the Inquiry are fully met. The outcome of the Inquiry is expected between March and May 2021.
City Hall Independent Audit Committee of LFB
Question No: 2020/3081
Andrew Dismore
What is the membership of this committee, has it met yet, and will its papers be published?
Answer for City Hall Independent Audit Committee of LFB
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (1)
Question No: 2020/3082
Andrew Dismore
When do the Met expect to conclude their criminal investigation into individuals and bodies related to the Grenfell Tower fire?
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) had previously informed the bereaved families, survivors and public that both the police and the CPS agree that the criminal investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the Grenfell Tower public inquiry, including the Inquiry’s final reports for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
The publication of any final public inquiry report will follow its Phase 2 hearings. Once the report has been considered, if the police investigation concludes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges in relation to the fire, a file will be submitted to the CPS for a charging decision.
The MPS assessment is that any file submission to CPS by the MPS is unlikely to be sooner than the latter part of 2021. This timeline will be subject to review as the Phase 2 hearings progress.
The police investigation has been in regular engagement with the CPS since the beginning of the investigation and continue to do so.
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (2)
Question No: 2020/3083
Andrew Dismore
How much has the Met spent on its investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire since its commencement?
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Between June 2017 and May 2020, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has spent approximately £48m on its response to the Grenfell Tower fatal fire. £35.5m relates to police officer and police staff pay costs. £12.5m relates to a range of costs including forensics, premises, transport, public inquiry legal costs and other supplies and services.
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (3)
Question No: 2020/3084
Andrew Dismore
How many officers has the Met currently engaged on its investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire?
Met Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
The number of Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) staff working on the Grenfell Tower response has varied, dependent on the stage of the response and investigation.
In September 2020 there are 156 police officers and police staff whose work on either the criminal investigation or in support of the public inquiry.
Not all of these officers and staff are full time and they are further supported by the wider MPS, experts and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Question No: 2020/3085
Andrew Dismore
How many public order incidents, or incidents requiring a public order response, has LFB attended since the beginning of March 2020, and for the equivalent period in 2019?
Answer for Public order LFB attendances
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Firefighter pension discrimination remedy
Question No: 2020/3086
Andrew Dismore
What impact does LFB predict on its finances from the proposals set out in the Government’s consultation document on remedying the unlawful discrimination in firefighter pensions, following the FBU’s court victory in 2019?
Answer for Firefighter pension discrimination remedy
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3087
Andrew Dismore
What aid has LFB provided to the people of Beirut following the tragic explosion in that city on 4 August, and will funding for this come from national Government?
Answer for Support for Beirut
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3088
Andrew Dismore
Please provide a breakdown of the mutual aid rendered by LFB to Surrey FRS during August 2020.
August 2020 Surrey fires
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
London Fire Brigade attended 55 incidents in Surrey during August 2020. Below is a breakdown by incident type.
| Incident type | Incidents |
| AFA | 3 |
| False alarm – good intent | 11 |
| Flood call attended – batch mobilised | 1 |
| Incomplete Incident | 3 |
| Primary Fire | 13 |
| Secondary Fire | 3 |
| Special Service | 21 |
| Total | 55 |
Question No: 2020/3089
Andrew Dismore
What is the cost to the Brigade, on top of the standard Babcock contract costs, for the expanded secondee programme proposed to address issues in the GTI and HMI reports?
Babcock secondees
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The estimated cost of this initiative is £732,740 per year, and the budget was supplemented by this amount on 1 April 2020.
Causes of fires during lockdown
Question No: 2020/3090
Andrew Dismore
Please set out the percentage and numerical change in the number of fires in domestic dwellings, comparing March to September 2020 with the corresponding period in 2019.
Causes of fires during lockdown
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
All dwelling fires for the period from 01 March to 09 September were as follows:
| Year | Number of Incidents |
| 2020 | 2653 |
| 2019 | 2760 |
There were, therefore, 107 fewer such incidents in 2020 than the corresponding period in 2019 which is 3.9 per cent less.
King’s ICU fire safety concerns (1)
Question No: 2020/3091
Andrew Dismore
How many notices or other items of correspondence about fire safety did LFB issue to King’s College NHS Trust before the emergency closure of its ICU on 22 July 2020?
Answer for King’s ICU fire safety concerns (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
King’s ICU fire safety concerns (2)
Question No: 2020/3092
Andrew Dismore
When was the remedial work on the dangerous external wall panelling at King’s College NHS ICU completed?
Answer for King’s ICU fire safety concerns (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Vulnerable people in buildings with flammable cladding (1)
Question No: 2020/3093
Andrew Dismore
How many a) hospitals, b) other healthcare sites, and c) social care sites have ACM and other forms of flammable cladding in London?
Vulnerable people in buildings with flammable cladding (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The GLA does not hold this information. The GLA’s role is to administer the Social and Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Funds and the Building Safety Fund in London on behalf of the Government.
The Government is responsible for collecting and recording information on buildings of 18 meters or above in height, with ACM and other forms of unsafe cladding, in London and the rest of the England. The latest monthly data release is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-july-2020
Vulnerable people in buildings with flammable cladding (2)
Question No: 2020/3094
Andrew Dismore
How many people requiring sleep-in carers reside in buildings of 18m+ with ACM and other forms of flammable cladding in London?
Vulnerable people in buildings with flammable cladding (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The GLA does not hold this information. The GLA’s role is to administer the Social and Private Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Funds and the Building Safety Fund in London on behalf of the Government.
The Government is responsible for collecting and recording information on buildings of 18 meters or above in height, with ACM and other forms of unsafe cladding, in London and the rest of the England. The latest monthly data release is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-july-2020
Question No: 2020/3095
Andrew Dismore
What representations have you made to ministers and officials to ensure that the consultation on BB100 (fire safety in schools) is complete and in force before the £1.7 billion new schools fund begins constructing new buildings?
Answer for Fire safety in schools (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3096
Andrew Dismore
What representations have you made to ministers and officials to ensure that fire safety in schools includes the provision of sprinklers in all new buildings?
Answer for Fire safety in schools (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (1)
Question No: 2020/3097
Andrew Dismore
What was the outcome of the EDBA drills conducted in July 2020 to test high rise firefighting capabilities?
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
The Extended Duration Breathing Apparatus (EDBA) and Standard Duration Breathing Apparatus (SDBA) tests carried out in July 2020 were not scientific testing, and as such, can only be considered indicative of working durations when completing specific tasks. This will inform further controlled scientific testing. Indications suggest that EDBA can provide further travel distances than SDBA in high-rise buildings, but under controlled conditions. The tests also indicated that the primary limiting factor on travel distances is the physiology of firefighters when combined with equipment weight and tasks. This supports the conclusions of the 2004 Building Disaster Advisory Group (BDAG) report. As a result of these indications, London Fire Brigade is now investigating commissioning physiological testing with an academic institution to understand tolerances and control measures.
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (2)
Question No: 2020/3098
Andrew Dismore
What floor were firefighters using EDBA able to reach in the drills conducted in July 2020?
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
Firefighters operating under Extended Duration Breathing Apparatus (EDBA) procedures were able to reach a simulated thirtieth floor using extant EDBA procedures. It should be noted that this was in a controlled environment without the conditions anticipated during an incident.
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (3)
Question No: 2020/3099
Andrew Dismore
What consideration has been given to methods of lengthening the operational time of EDBA sets, such as adjusting the flow rate or using pure oxygen?
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
Extended Duration Breathing Apparatus cannot be extended further. The length of duration relates to the wearer and what tasks they are completing. A small trial was conducted with oxygen re-breather sets at the July 2020 Breathing Apparatus (BA) tests. It confirmed that travel distances and the duration of BA sets are limited by firefighter physiology and heat stress, rather than the amount of air available.
Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (4)
Question No: 2020/3100
Andrew Dismore
What consideration has been given to the physiological impact of using EDBA on firefighters arising from the EDBA drills?
Answer for Extended duration breathing apparatus drills (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3101
Andrew Dismore
For each day of the operation of the tripartite agreement with LAS, how many LFB vehicles were off the run? Please break this down by vehicle types.
Answer for Pumps off the run
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Borough commander savings consultation
Question No: 2020/3102
Andrew Dismore
What consultations has the Brigade conducted with officers on possible savings, were the representative bodies involved, and if so, how?
Borough commander savings consultation
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is currently preparing their budget submission. As part of this process all departments have provided budget proposals which are now being discussed at budget scrutiny meetings. The outcome from this process will be considered by the Commissioner’s Board in early October, and further consultation will then be undertaken on the budget proposals including with representative bodies. This consultation will build on earlier engagement with representative bodies on the Budget Guidance, as well as on budget matters more generally which are raised as part of regular meetings.
LFB also continues to communicate directly with the workforce. For station-based staff this has been via officer-led discussions with on-duty staff to gather their views on potential savings. The Commissioner and directors are also holding a series of virtual ‘Town Hall’ open meetings. This engagement is part of the ongoing dialogue with staff which includes the budget and the wider transformation agenda.
Day 6 and 7 arrangements with LAS
Question No: 2020/3103
Andrew Dismore
Will firefighters driving ambulances under the day 6 and 7 arrangements be employed by LAS for that time or through another method?
Answer for Day 6 and 7 arrangements with LAS
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Specialist appliance crewing (1)
Question No: 2020/3104
Andrew Dismore
How many LFB operational staff have completed a) Fire and Rescue Unit and b) Command Unit training in each year since 2016?
Answer for Specialist appliance crewing (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Specialist appliance crewing (2)
Question No: 2020/3105
Andrew Dismore
In each month of 2020 so far, how many times has a) a fire and rescue unit and b) a command unit been off the run because of lack of trained crew?
Answer for Specialist appliance crewing (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Specialist appliance crewing (3)
Question No: 2020/3106
Andrew Dismore
What is LFB’s target number of operational staff trained for fire and rescue unit and command unit crewing, and what is the total number of actual staff trained?
Answer for Specialist appliance crewing (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Filling LFB junior officer roles (1)
Question No: 2020/3107
Andrew Dismore
In each round of promotions to leading firefighter, sub officer, and station officer since 2016, how many applicants were there for each category of officer, and how many available places?
Answer for Filling LFB junior officer roles (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Filling LFB junior officer roles (2
Question No: 2020/3108
Andrew Dismore
What is the current target establishment for leading firefighters, sub officers, and station officers, and what is the actual number of substantive LFB staff in those ranks?
Filling LFB junior officer roles (2
The Mayor
Last updated: 21 September, 2020
As of 31 August 2020 the establishment and actual numbers were as follows:
| Rank | Establishment | Actuals |
| Station Officer | 265.00 | 245.71 |
| Sub Officer | 620.00 | 500.57 |
| Leading Firefighter | 533.00 | 483.94 |
| Firefighter | 3129.00 | 3262.22 |
| Total | 4547.00 | 4492.44 |
A Station Officer promotion process has concluded in the first week of September. Successful candidates will fill both current vacancies and new vacancies arising between now and the next process in 2021. A Sub Officer promotion process is currently in progress and a Leading Firefighter process will start in October 2020.
High rise firefighting operational limits
Question No: 2020/3109
Andrew Dismore
Will you publish your correspondence with the Health and Safety Executive and Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, regarding the safety of high-rise firefighting operations in the current built environment in London?
Answer for High rise firefighting operational limits
The Mayor
Last updated: 22 September, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
