MQT full LFB answers Nov 20
Question No: 2020/3945
Andrew Dismore
Recent reports state that there are unscrupulous companies unable to legally complete EWS1 forms yet still signing them off. This has caused unnecessary stress to leaseholders and could potentially mean dangerous buildings are found to be safe by such an EWS1 form. Will you commit to working with RICS and IFE to address these issues?
EWS1 providers (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
It is shameful that some unscrupulous companies appear to be exploiting the cladding crisis by issuing fake safety forms. I have made both the Met Police and Trading Standards aware of specific cases brought to my attention.
I have been engaging with partners to understand the challenges of the EWS1 process, such as the lack of competent professionals available to carry out these works, but ultimately this is a national crisis that needs Government intervention to resolve. This is why in September I wrote to the Housing Secretary of State to outline the steps I believe the Government should take to address this issue, but I am yet to receive a response. The Government must act on these concerns without delay to avoid further stagnation in the sales market, protect leaseholders from further distress and restore confidence in the housing market.
Question No: 2020/3946
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP committee meeting one leaseholder raised a concern that the company who had provided the failed EWS1 form then stood to make 10% of the tender for remediation work. As a result she had lost confidence in the professionalism of the company concerned and the outcomes of the EWS1 form. Will you commit to working with RICS and IFE so that London’s leaseholders can trust the EWS1 process and the companies and individuals that complete EWS1 forms?
EWS1 providers (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3945.
Question No: 2020/3947
Andrew Dismore
EWS1 forms were designed to be assess the safety of external wall systems on high-rise buildings over 18m. Is the current use of EWS1 forms for buildings of all sizes good practice?
Answer for EWS1 Process (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3948
Andrew Dismore
I am aware of buildings that were completed and signed off in 2019 where leaseholders are now being required by mortgage companies to have an EWS1 form present even though dangerous cladding had been banned for use in buildings over 18m since December 2018. Is it right that lenders are asking for an expensive ESW1 forms to be completed in these circumstances before leaseholders are able to remortgage their property at a reasonable rate?
EWS1 Process (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3947.
Question No: 2020/3949
Andrew Dismore
How are you working with RICS, the Government and others, including lenders, to address the challenges of the EWS1 process as it stands?
EWS1 Process (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3945.
Question No: 2020/3950
Andrew Dismore
The EWS1 process is causing significant issues for many of London’s leaseholders. How are you working to support London’s leaseholders who are struggling with different aspects of the EWS1 process?
Supporting leaseholders (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
I am very concerned about the stress the EWS1 process is putting London’s leaseholders under, particularly where leaseholders are unable to sell their properties and are experiencing poor mental health exacerbated by concerns about unsafe cladding. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in September to raise my concerns about the EWS1 process and the impact it is having on leaseholders. To date I have not received a response. I continue to press ministers on this issue.
I also support the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign and agree with its recommendation that Government must ensure that residents in affected buildings are offered support to cope with the physical and mental health toll of living in potentially dangerous buildings.
Leaseholders concerned about cladding and building safety issues can obtain further sources of advice and support from the Leasehold Advisory Service.
Question No: 2020/3951
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP committee meeting leaseholders expressed that anxiety and stress which living in an unsafe building in need of remediation work causes them. What additional help can you offer to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of these leaseholders?
Supporting leaseholders (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3950.
London’s built environment (1)
Question No: 2020/3952
Andrew Dismore
MHCLG has shared data with London Fire Brigade that states there in excess of 72,000 premises in London which will fall into higher risk categories, including care homes, sheltered housing blocks and hospitals. How are you working with the Government to address the risks in London’s built environment?
Answer for London’s built environment (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (2)
Question No: 2020/3953
Andrew Dismore
What work is your team undertaking to support London Fire Brigade in understanding the scale of the current dangers in London’s built environment due to issues of dangerous cladding?
Answer for London’s built environment (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (3)
Question No: 2020/3954
Andrew Dismore
How much is the Government’s failure to address the issues of cladding and work with building owners to ensure where necessary remediation takes place impacting on the workload of LFB? What do you estimate the cost implication of this to be for LFB?
Answer for London’s built environment (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (4)
Question No: 2020/3955
Andrew Dismore
How are you working with and lobbying Government in order to address the risks in London’s built environment? Has this been fruitful?
Answer for London’s built environment (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3956
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP meeting Ritu Saha stated that she would like to see more consistency in the advice given by LFB to building managers regarding interim measures. What work has your office been doing to ensure there is consistency in the measures imposed to keep buildings and residents safe?
Answer for Waking watches (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams reconvening
Question No: 2020/3958
Andrew Dismore
With cases rising across London, have the Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams now been reconvened?
Answer for Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams reconvening
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Resourcing LFB for a second wave of Covid-19
Question No: 2020/3959
Andrew Dismore
The London Fire Commissioner had previously indicated that the new duties undertaken by LFB officers during the first wave of the pandemic could only be continued if resourcing was in place for this. Is this resourcing in place in case of a second wave?
Answer for Resourcing LFB for a second wave of Covid-19
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3960
Andrew Dismore
How many buildings in London does LFB anticipate the change to breathing equipment operation outlined in PN633 would be applicable for?
PN633
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
The Policy Note on high-rise firefighting (PN633) was revised as part of the response to the recommendations of the Phase 1 report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It covers operational tactics for use in exceptional circumstances when a high-rise building is not behaving as expected in a fire, to provide the greatest possibility of reaching all parts of the building for the emergency evacuation of residents. Due to the complexity and unknown number and extent of the different issues within the current built environment, London Fire Brigade is unable to quantify how many buildings in London this may apply to.
Health monitoring of LFB officers who attended Grenfell (1)
Question No: 2020/3961
Andrew Dismore
What health monitoring of the LFB officers who attended Grenfell has been undertaken to date?
Health monitoring of LFB officers who attended Grenfell (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Both the physical and psychological health of LFB staff was monitored after the Grenfell Tower fire. Any staff exhibiting acute symptoms of respiratory ill health at the scene were treated by London Ambulance Service. The development of chronic cardiorespiratory ill health is monitored through routine periodic medicals. London Fire Brigade is collaborating with Imperial College on the Grenfell Firefighter Study, which will investigate the cardiorespiratory health of all staff that attended the Grenfell Tower fire. This is on a voluntary basis. The study was delayed by the lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but staff are currently being scheduled to attend from December.
The psychological health of all staff that attended the incident was evaluated immediately and periodically reviewed. Any staff identified as requiring specialist support were referred to the Counselling and Wellbeing team. A psychological health monitoring component will be included in routine periodic medicals from next year.
Health monitoring of LFB officers who attended Grenfell (2)
Question No: 2020/3962
Andrew Dismore
What conclusions have been drawn from the health monitoring of LFB officers who attended the Grenfell Tower fire?
Health monitoring of LFB officers who attended Grenfell (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Despite the scale of the incident very few staff presented with acute respiratory ill health that required treatment or assistance at the scene of the fire. There has been no indication from routine periodic medicals of any increase in the development of cardiorespiratory ill health in staff that the Grenfell Tower fire. The Grenfell Firefighter Study will allow a more detailed study of cardiorespiratory health in this regard it will publish its conclusions in summer 2022.
Following the Grenfell Tower fire there was an increase in overall psychological ill health, particularly stress, anxiety and depression. This is reflected in the increased numbers of referrals to the London Fire Brigade counselling service. Greater awareness and understanding of trauma and PTSD across the organisation increased the numbers of staff who felt able to seek treatment for trauma-related conditions.
Question No: 2020/3963
Andrew Dismore
When is the research of Professor James Bilzon expected to conclude?
Answer for LFB research (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3964
Andrew Dismore
Will the research of Professor James Bilzon include examination of EDBA equipment? Please provide details
LFB research (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
The trials will be based around a single scenario of ascending and descending 30 floors in full structural firefighting PPE and carrying equipment. This scenario will have eight iterations which include the wearing of both standard and extended duration breathing apparatus and also oxygen rebreather sets. These breathing apparatus sets will be worn both under air and not under air.
Question No: 2020/3965
Andrew Dismore
Is there a timetable for more mass evacuation simulations? Please provide details of the timetable.
Answer for Mass evacuation simulations
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3966
Andrew Dismore
What is the financial impact on the LFB of continuing responsibilities for checking ‘waking watches’ in high-rise residential buildings where these are required post-Grenfell as ‘stay put’ policies have been suspended because of dangerous cladding?
Answer for Cost of waking watches
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3967
Andrew Dismore
Will the Mayor ensure the London Fire Brigade’s budget is maintained to ensure it can deliver on its transformation plan drawn up in response to the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the subsequent inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS)?
Answer for Maintaining LFB’s Budget
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3968
Andrew Dismore
What are the estimated costs of the ‘One Risk‘ solution to consolidate building risk information into one database?
Answer for ‘One Risk’ solution (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3969
Andrew Dismore
Are budget constraints likely to hold back the completion and roll out of the ‘One Risk’ solution to consolidate building risk information into one database?
Answer for ‘One Risk’ solution (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3970
Andrew Dismore
Please provide an update on the development and use of an electronic ‘app’ to manage fire survival guidance information between the control room and the incident ground as detailed in PN790.
App delivery and PN790 (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
A corporate ICT project commenced in November 2019 to deliver a solution to transfer real-time Fire Survival Guidance (FSG) data between the control room and the incident ground. The solution takes the form of an application to be installed on the fire appliance tablets and an accompanying website to be used by control. The application consumes any FSG data from the mobilising system and displays it in a structured format on the tablet. Updates can be entered on the incident ground regarding breathing apparatus crew deployment statuses against the calls, which are then automatically fed back to the mobilising system where control staff can view them. The data will also be available on a read-only basis to other operational staff and control rooms from other fire and rescue services via a secure registration process. The project is currently on target to rollout in March 2021.
Question No: 2020/3971
Andrew Dismore
What training is planned for frontline staff in using the electronic ‘app’ to manage fire survival guidance information between the control room and the incident ground as detailed in PN790.
App delivery and P790 (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
A training strategy for the Fire Survival Guidance (FSG) IT solution has recently been approved by the project board. The main thrust of the training will be via Computer Based Training which will guide the delegate around the application, ask them to walk through three FSG scenarios and prove their understanding at the end of the process with a test. This training will be compulsory and on a six-month refresh cycle across all ranks. In addition to this online training, a training application is being developed for use in any FSG exercise undertaken by London Fire Brigade. The training application will consume data from the control training server and ensures that even outside an exercise scenario, any operational member of staff can pick up an appliance tablet and refresh themselves as to the functionality of the application.
Training Programme and the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 recommendations (1)
Question No: 2020/3972
Andrew Dismore
Meeting the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 will require firefighters to attend training courses in order to develop skills. How many hours training on average will frontline firefighters be expected to undertake?
Answer for Training Programme and the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 recommendations (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Training Programme and the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 recommendations (2)
Question No: 2020/3973
Andrew Dismore
Meeting the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 will require firefighters to attend training courses in order to develop skills. What financial pressure does this put LFB under and how is Government supporting LFB in this work?
Answer for Training Programme and the Grenfell Inquiry phase 1 recommendations (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
LFB Response to a Second Wave (1)
Question No: 2020/3974
Andrew Dismore
How has LFB adapted its workload in order to respond to the second wave of Covid-19?
LFB Response to a Second Wave (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has taken a proportionate approach to the second wave of the pandemic, balancing risk against the requirement to deliver key services that protect the public and staff in a COVID-19 secure environment. LFB is in a different position than the first wave, in that the risks and impacts posed by COVID-19 are understood better, and robust risk control measures are now in place. This includes risk assessments, COVID-19 secure audits, deep-clean procedures for premises and appliances, testing, and track and trace procedures. LFB continues to aim to deliver all services, diverting resources and repurposing staff where required, while at the same time managing the backlog of work resulting from the first wave, such as the continuation of training. LFB recognises that restrictions and lockdowns may continue for some time and is evolving so that they are able to deliver their services within these confines going forward.
LFB Response to a Second Wave (2)
Question No: 2020/3975
Andrew Dismore
How have demands on frontline firefighters changed in order to ready the Brigade for the second wave of Covid-19?
LFB Response to a Second Wave (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) aim for the second wave is to maintain services in a COVID-secure manner. Demands on firefighters largely remain unchanged, although there is an added expectation that self-isolating and shielding firefighters undertake virtual training online in order to maintain competency wherever possible.
Risk assessments for all functions and premises have been reviewed in line with national lockdown measures, and firefighters are now required to undertake COVID-secure audits of their fire stations on a monthly basis. Frontline firefighters are also required to wear Type IIR facemasks in certain situations and follow updated procedures for the disposal of contaminated waste. Changes have been made to some areas of service delivery such as limiting Home Fire Safety Visits to high-risk premises in order to protect staff and the public.
LFB Response to a Second Wave (3)
Question No: 2020/3976
Andrew Dismore
Is non-risk critical training expected to continue during the second wave of Covid-19? Why is this?
Answer for LFB Response to a Second Wave (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
LFB Response to a Second Wave (4)
Question No: 2020/3977
Andrew Dismore
How important are the continuation of multi-pump exercises during the second wave of Covid-19?
Answer for LFB Response to a Second Wave (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3978
Andrew Dismore
What are the rules for self-isolation for LFB staff?
LFB and Self-Isolation (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
London Fire Brigade has adopted the advice issued by the Government, which can be found online at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
Question No: 2020/3979
Andrew Dismore
What are the triggers for self-isolation for those who have been in contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case?
LFB and Self-Isolation (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
London Fire Brigade has adopted the Government’s advice regarding the definition of close contacts and the resultant need to self-isolate. This includes close face-to-face contact under 1 metre for any length of time, talking in close proximity, as well as being within 1 to 2 metres of each other for more than 15 minutes, and travelling in a small vehicle together.
Question No: 2020/3980
Andrew Dismore
What mitigations have been put in place to minimise the number of firefighters or LFB staff needing to self-isolate where there is a confirmed case of Covid-19?
LFB and Self-Isolation (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has risk-assessed workplaces and work activities in accordance with government guidance, in order to reduce any potential for transmission of the virus to staff or between staff. Regular communications to staff on COVID-19 risk control measures have repeatedly emphasised the need to follow government guidelines on social distancing in the workplace, which will have the most significant impact on reducing the potential for ‘close contact’ between colleagues within the workplace. Where social distancing cannot be observed, LFB has implemented a range of additional control measures using personal and respiratory protective equipment to reduce the potential for transmission between staff and members of the public. LFB is actively using the Brigade Coordination Centre to identify the ‘close contacts’ of any staff that are confirmed as positive for COVID-19, in accordance with government definitions.
Question No: 2020/3957
Andrew Dismore
The numbers of buildings with waking watches in London is currently estimated to be 420 rising. How much has monitoring interim measures like this increased the workload of LFB post-Grenfell?
Answer for Waking watches (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
