FREP MQT answers December 2020

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (3)

Question No: 2020/4440

Andrew Dismore

When were policies for decontamination of PPE and personnel last updated?

Answer for Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The firefighter decontamination policy (PN584) was last reviewed on 29 Nov 2019.

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (4)

Question No: 2020/4441

Andrew Dismore

Do all fire stations currently have the facilities to allow all firefighters to ‘shower within an hour’ when returning from an incident or following a live fire training exercise? Please provide details of any stations unable to provide this at the moment.

Answer for Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

Yes, every fire station has shower facilities to allow firefighters to shower within an hour of returning from an incident or training exercise.

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (6)

Question No: 2020/4443

Andrew Dismore

What policies are currently in place for the routine care, maintenance, inspection and professional cleaning of PPE?

Answer for Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (6)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (6)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has Policy 693 for structural firefighting PPE, and Policy 533 for Uniform and PPE, excluding structural firefighting PPE.

Policy 693 provides instructions on using structural firefighting PPE. Routine care, maintenance and inspection are set out in detail for each garment. The PPE is cleaned and inspected as part of the managed service contract and each garment has a condition code assigned to it which is reviewed each time it is sent for laundry.

LFB staff can put their garments in for laundry whenever they see fit and there is no limit on this. Specific provisions are also set out for contaminated garments.

Policy 533 covers all other clothing allocations. There is general guidance on the care and maintenance which covers the expectations placed on staff and managers around the care of these garment

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (10)

Question No: 2020/4447

Andrew Dismore

The FBU’s report ‘Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents’ states that many of the substances firefighters are exposed to are classified as human carcinogens. In addition, the occurrence of disease and cancer are higher than expected amongst firefighters compared to the general population. How can you reassure firefighters that their health and safety are being prioritised and their wellbeing matters?

Answer for Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (10)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Minimising firefighters’ exposure to toxic effluents (10)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The health, safety and wellbeing of staff is a priority for London Fire Brigade (LFB). LFB Officers have been working with colleagues in academia and other fire and rescue services internationally to better understand the risks to staff from workplace exposure to carcinogens. LFB has been operating a range of practical control measures to minimise the risks to firefighters from workplace carcinogens for many years. This includes: operational policy with regard to the use of respiratory protective equipment and firefighter decontamination; promoting regular changing of structural firefighting clothing; the provision of staff welfare facilities including showers; and actively monitoring known carcinogens in Brigade workplaces, for example workplace surveys of diesel exhaust emissions.

LFB has pledged to support the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) ‘No Time To Lose’ campaign promoting the effective management of cancer risk caused by work.

Protecting firefighter health (2)

Question No: 2020/4449

Andrew Dismore

What is the post Grenfell Imperial College firefighter health study designed to establish?

Answer for Protecting firefighter health (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Protecting firefighter health (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The Grenfell Firefighter Study is looking into the impact of firefighting on the health of firefighters during and after their career. It will be one of the largest studies in the UK into the impact of firefighting on health to date. All firefighters and officers who attended the Grenfell Tower fire will be invited to take part to have a series of tests on their heart and lungs. Staff will also be asked if they wish to provide a blood sample to screen for specific markers associated with cancers and cancer development and whether they agree for their personal data to be linked with other relevant health care records in the future until their death. This data could be used in future potential long term follow-up studies to identify ongoing health issues and cause of death port retirement. The project has the approval of the NHS Ethics Committee.

Protecting firefighter health (3)

Question No: 2020/4450

Andrew Dismore

Does the LFB currently provide health screening as a staff benefit? If yes, what benefits does the health screening provided offer?

Answer for Protecting firefighter health (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Protecting firefighter health (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

London Fire Brigade offers ‘Well Person’ screenings to all employees. These comprise either a telephone or face–to-face consultation, subject to pandemic restrictions, with an occupational health nurse. At these appointments, a nurse will ask a series of questions covering mental, physical and lifestyle wellbeing. These are designed to detect if there might be particular issues that should be addressed such as cardiac health, nutritional consumption, use of alcohol and exercise. Follow-up questions are asked if there are indications that there is a potential health issue or that there is cause for concern.

Following completion of the consultation, the nurse will signpost the employee to appropriate information sources and services as appropriate.

Property Transformation (1)

Question No: 2020/4452

Andrew Dismore

The Director of Corporate Services indicated recently that visits to fire stations were being undertaken to improve the way that stations are being used1. How regularly do these visits take place?

1 London.gov, ‘Appendix 2: London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee, 22nd September 2020’ [Date accessed 24.11.2020]

Answer for Property Transformation (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Property Transformation (1)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

There is a new sequence of property audits and compliance visits being implemented that combine external independent reviews on an annual basis, and quarterly inspections undertaken by the new London Fire Brigade facility managers. In addition, the new soft services property contract, which covers cleaning security, pest control and grounds maintenance, includes its own inspection and reporting key performance indicators.

Property Transformation (2)

Question No: 2020/4453

Andrew Dismore

How have the visits improved the ways in which fire stations are used? What efficiencies have been found?

Answer for Property Transformation (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Property Transformation (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The property audits are focused on the condition of the property assets and the performance of the property supply chain to deliver minor projects and maintenance. This will enable London Fire Brigade to target capital spend effectively across the estate using a revised forward works register and prioritisation system.

Property Transformation (3)

Question No: 2020/4454

Andrew Dismore

Have the changes made led to policy change or vice versa?

Answer for Property Transformation (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Property Transformation (3)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The new structure is still being implemented and so it is too early to comment on any outcomes that may arise.

Property Transformation (4)

Question No: 2020/4455

Andrew Dismore

How much money has property transformation allowed LFB to reinvest back into the Brigade? Where has this money been reinvested?

Answer for Property Transformation (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Property Transformation (4)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is closing the current specialism gaps identified in its property review, to reduce reliance on external suppliers and rationalise the supply chain. This will include LFB recruiting to roles that were previously not in the department including surveyors, facility managers and technical experts. These changes fall within the current LFB property budget using funds from currently outsourced services to support new roles.

These changes will release approximately £1.7m, which will be reinvested into LFB property to provide a modern computer aided facilities management system to improve the interface with fire stations and a new compliance and audit contract that will provide external inspection of the estate and supply chain. The model is cost-neutral to LFB in the first year. In future it is expected that there will be further savings achieved from the property budget which have been submitted to LFB’s finance team as part of the recent savings review.

LFB and LAS [2]

Question No: 2020/4458

Andrew Dismore

What is the monthly cost of seconding firefighters to LAS; and is there agreement with LAS for regular reimbursement of this cost?

Answer for LFB and LAS [2]

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

LFB and LAS [2]

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

An agreement is in place to recover the costs of providing the Ambulance Driver Assist (ADA) from the London Ambulance Service (LAS). These costs relate to allowances paid to the firefighters performing the ADA duties, and costs of overtime to backfill the volunteers as necessary.

The costs currently expected to be reimbursed by the LAS are set out in MQ 2020/4457

LFB and LAS [3]

Question No: 2020/4459

Andrew Dismore

What changes in arrangements such as shift patterns have been made to seconding firefighters to LAS; and how many are currently being seconded?

Answer for LFB and LAS [3]

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

LFB and LAS [3]

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

As of 9 December 2020, there are 12 London Fire Brigade (LFB) firefighters seconded to London Ambulance Service (LAS) on Ambulance Driver Assistance. Those firefighters have moved onto LAS shift patterns. The LAS shift pattern is 4 days on (2 x 12 hr days; 2 x 12 hr nights) followed by 5 days off, with some ad hoc shifts, averaging overall 37.5 hrs a week, plus an additional 30 mins at commencement and end of each shift. This compares to the normal LFB shift pattern of 2 days (10.5 hr shifts), 2 nights (13.5 hrs shifts) and 4 days off.

LFB’s Fire Safety Department (2)

Question No: 2020/4464

Andrew Dismore

Has the cost of running the LFB’s fire safety department increased since 2017?

Answer for LFB’s Fire Safety Department (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

LFB’s Fire Safety Department (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The cost of London Fire Brigade (LFB)’s Fire Safety Department has increased since 2017. The net budget for 2017/18 was £17,806,444 and for 2020/21 is £22,317,433.

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, LFB received additional funding of £1.5million to enhance the inspection programme, enabling the creation of career pathways for Fire Engineering; introduction of Cold Scene Examiners; investment in Development Officers; an increase in officers within the Central Enforcement team and development of teams and structures within the wider department aligned to core objectives and deliverables.

In 2019, I provided additional funding of £1.1 million to establish a Fire Cadet Units within each London Borough. The pandemic has impacted upon the roll-out of delivery, however it is anticipated that units will open once restrictions have lifted.

LFB has been allocated £5.5 million from the Protection Board, supporting the Building Risk Review Programme.

Filling fire safety posts (2)

Question No: 2020/4466

Andrew Dismore

How many fire safety posts, and in which ranks, are currently vacant; and what steps are being taken to fill them?

Answer for Filling fire safety posts (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Filling fire safety posts (2)

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The number of posts that are currently vacant, together with the establishment, is set out in the table below.

Rank/Grade Establishment Vacant
Station Commander 18 3
Station Officer 42 6
Sub Officer 62 25.35
FRS F 14.4 2.4
FRS E 29.6 2
FRS D 126.3 37.1
FRS C/D 11.7 2.8
FRS C/D 81.7 6.06
FRS B 63.38 25.38
Total 110.09

A number of approaches have been taken to fill vacancies, including hosting awareness days; re-engaging retired staff on flexible working contracts; and advertising for transferees from other fire and rescue services. The most successful approach has been the introduction of Fire Safety Advisers (FSAs), aligned to the national framework. London Fire Brigade recruited 12 FSAs in November 2018, and five of those have recently been promoted to Fire Inspecting Officer.

A recruitment plan has been developed, supported by the Centre of Learning & Excellence, to recruit more FSAs and to bring in operational staff into inspecting roles. During 2021, cadres of FSAs and inspecting officers are planned for every quarter to meet and exceed the vacancy margin.

Training on PN633

Question No: 2020/4468

Andrew Dismore

What progress is being made towards an agreement with the FBU over training on PN633?

Answer for Training on PN633

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

Training on PN633

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

To help reach agreement with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on outstanding issues regarding Policy Note 633, London Fire Brigade (LFB) have initiated the ‘Health and Safety Advisory Panel’ (H&SAP) Procedure to facilitate an independent review of the issues concerned. LFB are currently in liaison with the FBU to finalise arrangements for the H&SAP to try to resolve this matter.

LFB cost mitigation and Covid-19

Question No: 2020/4472

Andrew Dismore

What action has been taken to mitigate costs incurred by the London Fire Brigade due to the pandemic?

Answer for LFB cost mitigation and Covid-19

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

LFB cost mitigation and Covid-19

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has incurred additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to support London’s response to the crisis and keep both our staff and communities safe. At Quarter 2, 2020/21 the LFB forecast that its costs would be £9.4m for this year. These costs have been met in part to date from additional funding from the GLA, cost recovery from the London Ambulance Service for Ambulance Driver Assistance, and a Home Office grant. Discussions about cost mitigation are ongoing, including with the Home Office on the possibility of a further opportunity to recover COVID-19 response costs.

LFB use of reserves

Question No: 2020/4473

Andrew Dismore

London Fire Brigade are proposing to use £12.1million of reserves this year in order to address overspend within the budget. How much has Covid-19 impacted on the finances of the Brigade and necessitated the use of reserves?

Answer for LFB use of reserves

The Mayor

Last updated: 22 December, 2020

Officers are drafting a response

LFB use of reserves

The Mayor

Last updated: 11 January, 2021

The use of reserves in the current financial year at £12.1m was based on the forecast overspend at Quarter 1. 2020/21. The financial position has been reviewed and updated at Quarter 2 (Q2) and it is now forecast that a £10.6m draw from the reserves will be necessary to meet the forecast overspend, at £5.6m, and the in year funding reductions, at £5.0m. London Fire Brigade will continue to seek to reduce the overspend, and consequent draw on reserves, further by the year end.

The costs of the COVID-19 response are set out in MQ 2020/4472.

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