Decision details

Steve Leader, the London Fire Brigade Barnet Borough Commander, provided an update on Barnet Borough fire performance and key issues. 

In relation to performance, it was reported that community safety measures were performing well, but some indicators were below target relating to: primary fires – injuries; outdoor rubbish fires; fires in buildings that are not dwellings; and shut in lift releases.

Emerging trends were:

·           Primary fires had been increasing, particularly in shop units with residential accommodation above.  In these cases, residents of dwellings had suffered from smoke inhalation and were therefore included as casualties even though the injuries were minor; and

·           There had been a focus on high rise buildings following the Grenfell Fire.

Mr Leader reported that key challenges were:

·           A continuing focus on fire safety in high rise buildings and diversion of resources to support that work;

·           Linking between agencies to identify vulnerable people who represented a high fire risk, such as drug and alcohol dependents, people with serve disabilities or hoarders.

The Board noted the update and requested that up to four fire safety key performance indicators be added to the dashboard including one relating to referrals to the Fire Brigade from partner agencies.