PURPOSE OF REPORT

This report advises Members of the activities of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. Appendix 1 provides a brief overview of operational statistics covering the period of the pandemic to date.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report provides detail on the actions of the Service following the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 up to the end of October.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Members note the contents of this report.

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE EXECUTIVE PANEL/AUDIT COMMITTEE

This report has not previously been considered by Members.

BACKGROUND

Earlier this year, on 12th March, as it became clear that the United Kingdom was facing an unprecedented health emergency, the Service’s Business Continuity group was instructed to begin the process of locking down the Service in advance of the national lockdown announced later that month. The key strategic aims at this point, and which continue to determine the Service’s overall response, were:- to protect the health of the communities of North Wales; to protect the health of members of the Service and to deliver as normal an operational service as the circumstances permitted.

The scheduled Fire and Rescue Authority meeting in March was cancelled as were upcoming meetings throughout the spring and summer. This decision was taken in view of the expected high levels of activity and involvement of both Members and officers in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak together with the need to develop technology solutions and protocols to ensure that Authority meetings were not compromised. The introduction of The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 provided a legislative basis for the change to the normal working arrangements of the Authority. Work alongside key partners in the other emergency services, local authorities, government and the health service occupied the majority of officer time in the spring and early summer period as the Service played its full part in the national collective effort. One notable feature of the early days of the pandemic was that a number of former employees offered their services on a voluntary basis. In a limited number of cases, their offer was accepted.

Within a short space of time the Service was able to achieve a position of almost universal home working for those members of staff whose role allowed for it. Solutions to the technical and logistical problems created by this shift of emphasis were invariably found by members of staff who worked both creatively and tirelessly in response. Hand-in-hand with increased home working it was important that internal communication was effective and that measures were put in place to deal with not only physical but mental health issues. Our frontline premises (fire stations, Service control, fleet workshops and equipment stores) were, in parallel, made as secure from coronavirus as possible in order to continue to provide the full range of services across North Wales. Inevitably, it was necessary to curtail or cease some activities in support of the strategic aims. Recruitment was effectively put on hold across the Service and impacted, in particular, the recruitment of whole-time, retained and new apprentice staff. Continuation training was suspended until a properly organised programme that took account of coronavirus safety requirements could be developed. Home safety visits were carried out by telephone where possible and were targeted at those most at risk.

INFORMATION

At the time of writing, it is gratifying to record that there has been a minimal direct effect on the workforce due to coronavirus. Only five members of staff have had a positive test for coronavirus as of the end of October. Naturally, it is likely that a much greater number will have had the virus without being tested and there will be others who have been asymptomatic. Additionally, members of the Service have had to self-isolate or quarantine throughout this period but at no time, to this point, has there been a significant level of absence due to the direct effects of coronavirus. There has, however, been an impact organisationally as a result of members of staff being required to shield on government advice. The effects of this were mitigated, to some extent, by arranging for a number of shielding personnel to work from home but, regrettably, it was not possible in every case.

A significant wider development was the national arrangement between the Fire Brigades Union, the National Employers and the National Fire Chiefs Council, known as the “Tripartite” agreement. This agreement facilitated a range of activities that were hitherto outside the nationally agreed job roles for firefighters in order to assist the national effort to combat the virus. Whilst used to a great extent in England and in other parts of Wales, it was not until October that North Wales Fire and Rescue Service personnel were deployed under the terms of the agreement when drivers were provided to the Welsh Ambulance Services Trust on request. It is possible that other activities, covered by the agreement, will be requested during the second wave over the autumn/winter.

One noticeable effect of the national lockdown was a marked, but temporary, increase in the availability of retained fire station personnel and, consequently, appliances. Whilst the varied reasons for this increase are almost certainly linked to the circumstances of the national lockdown it is likely that the existence of the government’s furlough scheme was the primary cause of the increase being so substantial. There is no evidence of a repeat of the increase in availability in the current local lockdown/“fire break” environment.

Specialist fire safety officers have been heavily involved in the arrangements for the introduction of temporary hospitals at three locations across North Wales. A normal hospital development will be constructed specifically to cater for non-ambulant patient evacuation, a complex and risk critical aspect that requires a high degree of skill. The need to be content with the proposed fire safety arrangements in the temporary hospitals meant the Service’s officers had to use both their technical expertise and their extensive experience to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

As national restrictions were eased during the summer officers had to consider how to respond. The approach adopted was to remain faithful to the strategic intent already set and to continue to be cautious, particularly given that most stakeholders expected there to be a “second wave” of coronavirus in the autumn and winter of 2020/21. Consequently, continuation training was reintroduced on a phased basis associated with organisational need. Face to face home safety visits were reintroduced but only in those cases where the risk to the individual was high.

In September, preparations for the likely introduction of local lockdowns began which included a full-scale, day long exercise specifically to identify what unique problems might occur in a local lockdown and to introduce measures to mitigate those problems. At the time of writing this report, North Wales is under further restrictions following the so-called “fire break”, introduced by the Welsh Government, as the expected second wave affects the nation. The operational arrangements put in place earlier in the year are proving resilient so far but may have to be reviewed in the event of severe disruption to the Service’s operations, for example in large numbers of personnel being unable to attend work.

Whilst energies have, rightly, been concentrated on dealing with the immediate and pressing issues caused by the pandemic, there has been a recognition that ways of working will have to change when the emergency has passed. To this end, a Transition Cell has been established which will assist in developing the shape of working arrangements in the future.

IMPLICATIONS

Well-being Objectives - In its response to the pandemic to date, the Service has sought to ensure that its actions have been consistent with the long term aspiration to minimise harm to the community and staff.
Budget - There has been no significant negative impact on the budget to date although a full evaluation of the longer term issues associated with changes to working practices will be undertaken in due course.
Legal - Interim changes to the Authority’s working arrangements are permitted by the Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020.
Staffing - As indicated in the report, there have been no major impacts on the staffing levels due directly to coronavirus albeit necessary changes in working arrangements for shielded staff had to be made.
Equalities/Human Rights/Welsh Language - None at this time.
Risks - The advent of a “second wave” presents a number of risks to the Authority in relation to staff health, both physical and mental. There are potential risks to the financial position of the Authority if high levels of expenditure have to be incurred during the winter months and there is no arrangement in place for recovery.