Our second public consultation of the year ended earlier this month, with more than 100 people and businesses providing feedback on our proposal to change how we respond to automatic fire alarm (AFA) activations in non-domestic buildings.
Officers are now considering the consultation response, gathered through an online survey which ran for six weeks between October and December, alongside findings from five earlier focus groups.
They are also looking at data gathered since July, when our Service started a pilot of the proposed changes and comparing it to previous years when our crews responded to all AFA activations in non-domestic buildings.
From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, BFRS responded to 1,693 alarms following activation of an AFA in a non-domestic building. Of these 99.1per cent did not involve a fire – a percentage which was identified as being in line with the average number of false alarms the Service has attended every year since 2018.
During the pilot period firefighters have continued to attend all AFA activations in identified high-risk buildings, including those with the potential for people to be sleeping inside such as domestic homes, sheltered housing, hospitals and care homes. However, they have only attended AFA activations in low and medium-risk buildings where a fire has been confirmed through a 999 call, or where there have been signs of fire at the location.
The data gathered in the first three months of the pilot was shared during the consultation, to enable those taking part to gain some insight into how the proposal could reduce the number of times firefighters were called out to false alarms.
Area Commander, Paul Scanes who is leading the project to review our response to AFAs said:
“The team are really pleased with the response to this consultation. The fact that so many people, and local businesses, have taken the time to review the supporting information, consider the proposal we have made, and share their views, shows there is a real and positive interest in our work.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed, your input has been invaluable, and your perspective and feedback is helping to shape and inform our final proposal which will be put to our Fire Authority.
“The decision to consider changes to our AFA response has not been taken lightly. It stems from a review of current practices and the potential benefits of a more tailored and risk-based approach, with the aim of enhancing our service delivery, reducing unnecessary disruptions, and ensuring our resources are used where they are needed most.”
At its meeting on Wednesday 11 December 2024, the Fire Authority agreed to continue the Pilot arrangements while the consultation results and data are considered, and a final proposal drawn up.
The recommended final proposal is due to be put before Fire Authority members for approval and adoption on 12 February 2025.
