Community Safety Strategies - Report Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Community safety Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2012 Contents 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Statistical Data included in MFRS 2012-2015 3 3.0 Overview of statistical data included in MFRS 2012-2015 5 4.0 Strategy for improving community safety 7 4.1 Public education 7 4.2 Smoke detectors 8 4.3 Fire blankets 9 4.4 Sharing of information 10 5.0 The role of legislation 10 6.0 Conclusion 11 References 12 1.0 Introduction Effective management of fire is one of the major objectives of any Fire and Rescue services. It entails coming up with a plan that will direct the resources towards assisting those who are highly vulnerable to fire. It is believed that fire can seriously harm the community if not well controlled. As such, Merseyside has come up with an integrated fire management plan that will ensure all harmful fires are put out before they cause serious damage. Establishment of fire management plan has greatly assisted the county in reducing the incidences of fire damage. Even though there has been a reduction in fire incidences, the number of fire incidences occurring in the county varies every year. For the past years, Merseyside managed to reduce fire incidences by 20%. Of late, the fire department in Merseyside has greatly improved the safety of the community as far as fire is concerned. The department had managed to attain its main objective through establishing various safety measures. This paper provide an overview of statistical data included in Merseyside fire and rescue safety services (MFRS) 2012-2015, develop strategy for enhancing community safety in areas identified as being at risk and evaluate the role of legislation as both a punishment and as a preventive measure. 2.0 Statistical Data included in MFRS 2012-2015 In the 2010/2011 period, Merseyside effectively managed its performance and that of firefighters against its published response standards so as to ensure best emergency services are delivered to its people. In responding to fire on property, Merseyside percentage performance was approximately 90% in the entire 2010/2011 period, except for December 2010. In December 2010, the percentage performance was approximately 88%. In 2010/2011 period, Merseyside managed to attend on approximately 3,250 property fires and on 3,024 occasions, it managed to achieve the stipulated standards, which is a 93% success rate (MFRS, 2012). The response to road traffic collisions was quite impressive. From the statistical data, it is clear that in the first six months of 2010/2011 period, the response to road traffic collision that occurred and caused fire was one hundred percent. In other months, a part from October, the response was above 90%. It is only in the month of October that Merseyside failed to attain the stated standard. Merseyside has also been effective at confining the fire and its impacts to the room in which it initially commenced. In 2010/2011 period, Merseyside worked on 1,199 home accidental fires. Among the 1,199 accidental fires, only 69 incidental fires were not contained and spread to the neighboring homes. The performance was above the targeted performance, apart from May 2010. The 2010/2011 fiscal year recorded a reduction in fire incidents. The fire incidents in this fiscal year were approximately 21,000. This is very low as compared to 31,000 recorded in 2004/2005 fiscal year. The number of small fire incidents was higher than other incidents such as property fire, automatic fire alarms, special service and other false alarm. Merseyside experienced a reduction in number of incidents by 36%. In 2010/2011 period, property fire incidents reduced by fifty two percent. Small fires reduced by 41%, while the false alarms reduced by 6%. Automatic false alarms and small fires remain major priority for the coming years, that is, 2012-2015. This is because; the small fires and automatic false alarms represent 62% of the entire incidents the department attends to. For the past six years, Merseyside has experienced a 36% reduction in the number of incidents the department attends to. In the same years, majority of Merseyside’s station areas experienced reductions in emergency activity (MFRS, 2012). 3.0 Overview of statistical data included in MFRS 2012-2015 The percentage performance in 2010/2011 fiscal year was quite impressive, apart from December 2010. The percentage performance in December 2010 dropped below 90%. It is believed that the percentage performance dropped in this month due to extreme weather. The extreme weather, experienced in December 2010, minimized the operational performance of Merseyside. Merseyside fighting response was very effective. The statistics on fire fighting response is a proof of professionalism and effectiveness of Merseyside. The statistics imply that out of one thousand one hundred and twenty nine homes affected by fire in 2010/2011 fiscal year, majority of the residents, affected by the fire, managed to recover so fast and continue with their daily routine. It is quite clear that the residents of Merseyside are quite safe from effects of fire. The reduction of property fires has also contributed to fire safety in Merseyside (MFRS, 2012). For the past years, as illustrated in fire and rescue data included in MFRS 2012-2015, the number of fire incidences has greatly reduced. This is due to the fact that adequate measures have been established to get rid of the fire incidences. However, given that the small fires and automatic false alarms represent 62% of the entire incidents, it will be essential to create safety strategies that prevent the increase in number of these incidences. Coming up with strategy that minimize the number of small fire and false alarm incidences will reduce the rescue service’s burden and enhance efficiency. The efficiency will be enhanced since the number of incidences to be catered for will be very few. The unused resources will then be employed elsewhere. These strategies need to aim at preventing rather than stopping the fire. It is believed that vulnerable groups’ identification plays a crucial role in creating the strategies. Vulnerable groups refer to groups of persons who are more likely to cause fire and at the same time be injured in fire incidences. They include disabled persons, children, elderly, smokers and alcoholics. It is believed that, among the vulnerable groups, disabled individuals have higher possibilities of being injured by fire. In case of a fire outbreak disabled persons do always find it hard to rescue themselves from the inferno. Smokers on the other hand are believed to have higher chances of causing fire. They have a tendency of not putting off the remains of the cigarette, thus causing fire. Therefore, in order to reduce incidences of fires in Merseyside, it is important to take care of smokers. Another group of persons that should be taken care of are individuals who involve in drugs. It is believed that individuals involving in drugs have a weakness of leaving unattended fires. As such, they are viewed as vulnerable and should be taken care of. Individuals who stay alone and who take alcohol are also vulnerable to fires. Therefore, their safety should be catered for. The increase in candles usage, by the vulnerable groups, has been viewed as major contributor of fire incidences in Merseyside. Disabled and alcoholics individuals do always mishandle candles thus causing fire. Therefore, it is essential for Merseyside fire team to come up with a plan that will take of the vulnerable groups. There is a need to establish fire risks and develop a plan that will ensure the alcoholics, disabled and drug addicts are not exposed to fire risks. The developed plan should promote good relationship between the community and fire department. 4.0 Strategy for improving community safety There are various measures that should be considered for community safety improvement in areas identified as being at risk. These measures include public education, installation of smoke detectors, the use of fire blankets and information sharing. 4.1 Public education Public education entails teaching members of the public about causes, effects and prevention of fire. It equips members of the public with the information regarding public safety. It is believed that educating the public is a crucial source of public safety. This is because; through public education, people get to know their environment. Individuals’ understanding of their environment normally results in enhanced alertness and sensitivity in avoiding conditions that can possibly cause fire. Moreover, when the community understands risk, they can react so fast by either calling the rescue team or participate in stopping the fire. It is believed that with public education, an individual will understand hazards that results to fire, ways of fighting fire and how a person can be protected during fire. Information about protecting a person during fire is essential since it assists in minimizing the number of deaths arising from fire incidences. It is therefore essential to educate the public about first aid so that they can be informed on how to assist victims during the inferno. Merseyside fire department has reported high number of injuries and deaths arising from fire, particularly in high risks areas. Therefore, there is a need, by the department, to educate the public on how to minimize injuries when fire breaks out. Educating the public about personal safety will play a crucial role in minimizing injuries. Fatalities on the other hand can be minimized through educating the public about first aid. Public education need to be done in every station that is under Merseyside fire department. Additionally, there is a need to provide education on how to use fire extinguishers particularly in organizations that have fire extinguishers or members of the public who are willing to equip themselves with fire extinguishing skills. This will assist in minimizing fire injuries that do always occur due to lack of knowledge. Rescue service should also understand conditions that might results into fire (Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, 2004). 4.2 Smoke detectors As a safety measure, it is essential for buildings in Merseyside high risk areas to have smoke detectors. Installation of smoke detectors will greatly improve the safety of the community. It is believed that installation of smoke detectors plays a great part in minimizing fire incidences (FEMA, 2010). Smoke detectors do always sense or detect any small fire or smoke and alert people to either response to the fire or call for assistance during emergencies. As such, installation of smoke detectors makes it possible for a person to save other people in case of a fire out break. There is a need to install smoke detectors in Merseyside’s buildings. This is due to high number of building fires recorded in the county. Installation of smoke detectors is very essential since, in case of fire outbreak, they will alert individuals in the building to escape, thus eliminating cases of injuries or fatalities caused by building fires. Therefore, Merseyside needs to work very hard in ensuring all buildings are fitted with smoke detector systems. It can attain this by subsidizing the systems and educating people on the importance of fitting smoke detectors systems on not only commercial buildings but also their homes. This can be performed via demonstrations by fire service group. Besides, the Merseyside fire team can decide to randomly select buildings in high risks areas and install the smoke detector systems (Big Medicine, 2012). 4.3 Fire blankets A fire blanket is a protective gear that is made up of non-flammable material. It is usually employed in protecting individuals from fire injuries. Therefore, the use of fire blanket is quite essential in improving the community safety. Merseyside fire department needs to provide fire blankets to aged persons, particularly in high risk areas such as elderly homes. This will greatly assist in minimizing the number of deaths and injuries caused by fire. The elderly should also be taught on how to utilize the fire blankets. This is because they are more likely to be alone when fire breaks, thus they need to know how to protect themselves with the blanket in case of fire. Fire blankets should be placed in areas that are easily accessible. This will assist other people to also make use of them in case of a fire out break (Great Britain: Department for communities and local government, 2006). When giving out fire blankets, it is quite essential for rescue team to teach individuals on how to use the equipment. This is because; in some cases, the fire blankets have been the cause of injury to the elderly. Therefore, it is essential for Merseyside fire department to make sure that the entire community is well trained on the use of fire blanket so as to minimize injuries caused by fire. By doing this, the elderly, who are viewed as vulnerable group, will be safe. 4.4 Sharing of information Information sharing is essential in effective functioning of an organization. It plays a great role particularly in decision making. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) needs to come up with a plan on how information is shared with other organizations so as to improve its performance. Sharing of information will assist MFRS to understand the situation on the ground. For example, by sharing the information, MFRS will get to know the number of elderly homes or the number of elderly individuals within a given station. This will assist the department in adequate planning for the elderly within the locality. Information sharing is also essential in training, planning and creating awareness. It is believed that with effective information sharing, organizations do always attain their objectives. Therefore, with information sharing, Merseyside will attain its objective of improving the safety of the community in high risk areas. Merseyside can further improve its effectiveness in controlling fire injuries in high risk areas via personnel training. This will result into an informed organization that is capable of maintaining community’s safety. 5.0 The role of legislation Merseyside legislation regarding fire plays a great role not only as a punishment but also as a preventive measure. Section 21 of fire and rescue services Act 2004 gives National framework the statutory authority and expects the secretary of states to arrange a National Framework for fire and rescue authorities. It also expects the Secretary of State to discuss with rescue authorities and fire representatives before making any essential changes on the Framework. The legislation gives a guideline on how emergencies cases should be dealt with. The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the Fire and Rescue Service Order 2007 give fire and rescue authorities the mandatory responsibilities of responding to road traffic accidents and other emergencies. The legislation also gives fire and rescue authorities the mandate to exercise their duty in a manner that prevents disorder and crime in the area (Department for Communities and local government, 2011). 6.0 Conclusion From the discussion, it is quite clear that performance of Merseyside fire department has improved as per 2010/2011 report. The percentage performance in 2010/2011 fiscal year was quite impressive. Merseyside fighting response was very effective. The statistics on fire fighting response is a proof of professionalism and effectiveness of Merseyside. There are various measures that should be considered for community safety improvement in areas identified as being at risk. These measures include public education, installation of smoke detectors, the use of fire blankets and information sharing. Public education equips members of the public with information regarding public safety. As a safety measure, it is essential for buildings in Merseyside high risk areas to have smoke detectors. Installation of smoke detectors will greatly improve the safety of the community. Merseyside fire department needs to provide fire blankets to aged persons, particularly in high risk areas such as elderly homes. MFRS needs to come up with a plan on how information is shared with other organizations so as to improve its performance. Sharing of information will assist the organization in improving the safety of the community. References Big Medicine. 2012, Merseyside | Promoting home safety. < http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2012/05/merseyside-promoting-home-safety/> Department for Communities and local government. 2011, Fire and Rescue National Framework for England Ferrett, P, H. 2010, Introduction to International Health and Safety at Work: The Handbook for the NEBOSH International General Certificate. London: Routledge Great Britain: Department for Communities and Local Government. 2006, Fire safety risk assessment. The Stationery Office Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS). 2012, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan 2012/15. < http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/aspx/pages/IRMP/pdf/CFO_131_11_IRMP_2012-15_Appendix_A.pdf> Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA), 2010, Integrated Risk Management Planning: Fire Risk Assessment Methodology Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, 2004, Community Safety Strategy. < http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/aspx/pages/reports/pdf/cfs_strategy.pdf> Read More