Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman shared that on the 5 December 2023 he and the Chief Fire Officer officially opened the new live fire training facilities at the Service Headquarters. The unit had been designed in conjunction with firefighters and was one of very few of its kind,offering firefighters from across HIWFRS and neighbouring services the opportunity to train in realistic, controlled situations, to learn how fire behaves in different conditions, and how best to respond.

It was confirmed that the independent review by Green Park into culture within HIWFRS had concluded. The findings and recommendations of the report were being considered and would enhance the work already underway. A progress report would come to a later Authority meeting.

The Chairman confirmed that he and other Members had recently completed the Service’s mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training and had been very impressed with the delivery. The Chairman had also attended an event run by the Service’s Fire Proud network group marking the start of LGBTQ+ history month with a guest speaker, Katie Cornhill, sharing her affirmation story.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman shared that he had attended the official topping out ceremony at Cosham Fire Station on 19 October, marking the completion of the main structure as well as plans to attend the Emergency Services Carol Service in Winchester on the 15 December.

A combined Fire Cadet and Princes Trust presentation ceremony was scheduled for the 14 December at Basingstoke Fire Station. The Chairman concluded by thanking HIWFRS staff and volunteers for all their work and service in 2023.

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After welcoming observers to the meeting, the Chairman shared that five specialist search and rescue firefighters had been deployed to Morocco as part of the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) team providing specialist help following the devastating earthquake. While in Morocco, the UK ISAR team received a letter from Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, thanking them for their assistance with the operation. 

On the 4 October, a LIVEX 2023 exercise had taken place, arranged by the Local Resilience Forum. It included setting up a Strategic Coordinating Centre at Headquarters and two tactical centres, one on the mainland and one on the Isle of Wight and the purpose was to rehearse multi-agency tactical and strategic response, and how partner agencies reacted to information as if it was a real event.

The Chairman confirmed that new live fire facilities were in place, which provided realistic burning and multi floor and scenario-based training to further support operational teams in their development. The first students were expected to utilise it in the middle of October.

Finally, the Chairman shared the sad passing of Geoff Hockley, who served on the Fire Authority between June 2019 and May 2021. Condolences were sent to Geoff’s friends and family on behalf the Fire Authority.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed new Members to the Fire Authority before sharing that Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Shantha Dickinson had been seconded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for up to a year. Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Stew Adamson, would take the DCFO role for this period, leading the Policy, Planning and Assurance directorate. Glenn Bowyer has been appointed as the Director of Operations and was welcomed to the Full Authority.

The Chairman informed the Authority that the Service held a one-minute silence on Firefighters Memorial Day to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Service had also participated in the Coronation of King Charles III and the Firefighters graduation ceremony, which took place on 15 June.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed attendance at the opening of Bishops Waltham Fire Station on 27 March and thanked those who attended the volunteer recognition event that took place on the 28 March.

The Chairman also paid tribute to Watch Manager Arron Jepp, who had sadly passed away after a period of ill health. Arron was a highly regarded member of Rushmoor’s White Watch and On-call team for many years and had served in a wholetime and on-call capacity and as a Prince’s Trust team leader.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman shared that Fire and Rescue Service colleagues from across the country observed a minute’s silence on Monday 13th February following the sad death of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service firefighter, Barry Martin.  Barry sadly died following injuries sustained at a building in Edinburgh in January and the Chairman sent condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues on behalf of the Authority.

Members heard how nine of the search and rescue firefighters had been deployed to Turkey to assist with life-saving activity and praised officers for their exemplorary training and assistance.

There had been a recent graduation of firefighters, which had been the first time that Hampshire and Isle of Wight wholetime trainees had been trained on both the mainland and the island. The next course that started on 13 February would see another 11 individuals join the Service.

In January, the Service had received its first full inspection report since becoming a Combined Fire Authority. The report included many positive findings and where the Service had veen graded ‘requires improvement’, it had been recognised for the work that was already underway in many areas to make improvements.

The Chairman updated the Authority on industrial action, and confirmed that a ballot of Fire Brigade Union members had begun following an offer made. Members would be updated in due course once the ballot had closed.

It was confirmed that the Chief Fire Officer was not present at the meeting due to receiving his Queen’s Fire Service Medal at Windsor Castle. It was the highest award of its kind that a serving fire officer could receive, and the Authority sent congratulations and thanks to the CFO for the well deserved recognition.

Vice Chairman Councillor Gary Hughes was due to step down from Fire Authority and it was his last meeting. He was thanked for his outstanding service since joining the Authority in 2021.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed that the Prince’s Trust 20-year celebration event had been held at the headquarters on 18 November and a special award was presented to the Chief Fire Officer to celebrate the involvement and commitment of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service to the Prince’s Trust. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s Children and Young People’s Team were had also been highly commended in the children and young people award category at the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Celebrating Prevention Awards was held on 10^th November.

On Remembrance Sunday, services across the county including Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and alongside Fire Cadets from around the country, represented to commemorate the end of the First World War and pay their respects to all fallen soldiers who had sacrificed their lives in countless wars at the Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph in London.?The Chairman also laid a wreath at headquarters on behalf of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority.

The Chairman confirmed that there had been report on the London Fire Brigade and the Chief Fire Officer and team would be working with teams to ensure that each of the questions raised by the report were considered by the organisation. The Authority would then receive a report providing further insight at a future meeting.

An update was also provided on upcoming industrial action and Members were reassured that the Service was working on plans to continue delivering the vital public service during periods of reduced staff availability. 

The Chief Fire officer confirmed that further work was anticipated around lithium battery storage and the importance of good management and involvement of the Fire and Rescue Service and a signed letter had requested more inclusion during the planning process.

It was also shared that some members of staff were participating in the Atlantic Sailing Challenge and wished them luck.

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The Chairman confirmed the passing away of Crew Manager Adrian Johnson after a short illness. The Chief Fire Officer shared how the funeral was well attended and thoughts were with the friends, family and colleagues.

I further announcements, it was confirmed that on Thursday 30 June, the newest group of 17 recruits completed their training to become Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters. The HMICFRS Inspection field work had also been completed, which was a great opportunity to understand what more could be done to improve the Service for communities and staff and also a means to share what had been proudly achieved.

The Fire Authority was also updated on recent incidents attended to by the Service and the Oregon exchange programme.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman was pleased to announce the award of the Queen’s Fire Service Medal to the Chief Fire Officer, which was the highest award of its kind that a serving fire officer could receive.

The Chairman confirmed his attendance at the first ever Isle of Wight based HIWFRS Princes Trust Team Programme as well as highlighting a recent consultation by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services ( HMICFRS) on its proposed inspection programme and framework for 2023/24.

The Chairman also shared that there was a consultation on Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing by the Home Office, which aimed to establish a way forward in identifying and recording vulnerable persons in high risk (high rise) residential premises. The consultation was open until 10 August 2022.

Finally, the Chairman announced that Councillor Ian Stephens was stepping down from the Fire Commission Committee and thanked his for his work and support of the Fire Authority at the meetings he had attended.

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The Chairman confirmed that he had been over to visit the Fire Stations over on the Isle of Wight on the 9^th August and there were also plans for another recruitment phase in early 2022, where the Service hoped to expand on a more diverse workforce.

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The Chairman thanked the Authority for his appointment and welcomed new and returning Members to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority.

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The Chairman shared condolences on behalf of the Authority to Her Majesty The Queen on the death of her husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who passed away at Windsor Castle on Friday 9 April. The Chief Fire Officer invited Members to join with a few moments of silence.

Thanks were paid to all staff who had worked to get the Combined Fire Authority up and running as Members commemorated the inaugural meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority.

Congratulations were made to the Chief Fire Officer as the new Clerk of the Authority, as well as the Shantha Dickinson who had been appointed to be the new Deputy Chief from June 2021.

The Authority also said thank you and farewell to Councillor David Simpson and Councillor Geoff Hockley who were retiring. A statue of commemoration was presented to them both on behalf of Fire Service and Fire Authority.