Harding The impact n the Fire Service
Intrductins
Aims T Analyse the impact f Harding n The Fire Service. T lk in mre detail at 2 different cases invlving Harding:- Newtn Aycliffe East Durham
Is Harding an existing prblem r a grwing prblem? Is there an increased awareness as a result f media cverage?
Hw des it impact n the fire service? Harding increases the Fire hazard Often blcked exits prevent escape Respnding firefighters are put at additinal risk:- Obstructed exits Falling bjects Excessive fire lading can lead t cllapse Fighting fires and searching fr ccupants is much mre difficult Adjacent prperties r structures are put at higher risk
What can we d abut it? Wrk clser with partners t establish links Train staff t recgnise signs and symptms Share infrmatin with partners Crdinated and cllabrative interventins are mre successful Early interventins can ften prevent a situatin frm getting ut f hand
Existing Cases CDDFRS are currently dealing with 68 cases f harding f varying degrees. All cases are discussed n a regular basis within vulnerable persn frums Success within East Durham as a result f partnership wrking
Newtn Aycliffe 14/05/2012 TC: 12:47hrs
Female (65 yrs) Resident fr 28 years Lived with her sn, (38yrs) Husband died in 1979, Tenant had suffered with mental health prblems ever since Chrnic harder Refused repeated attempts by husing assciatin t upgrade the premises N evidence f drinking / substance abuse.
Initial cncerns Sn rescued via tilet windw. BA crews had difficulty getting mther t the windw. Rear & frnt drs were blcked flr t ceiling. Bth drs had t be cut-up in situ t gain access.
Extreme Harding
Cause f fire Cause f fire: Electrical arc damage t plug, scket & 5m extensin cable. Secndary cause: arcing in cable ignited flammable materials
Smuldering fire Electrical arcing frm the damaged extensin cable started a smuldering fire in piles f flammable materials, the smuldering fire surfaced in the kitchen n a fuel-rich incline.
Mving Frward Changes t prcedures
Crners Rule 43 Letter Sent t all agencies All husing agencies lked at existing /new prcedures Increased Partnership wrking Increased infrmatin sharing
East Durham Hmes Successful Outcme Cncerns raised ver existing tenant (Clutter rating 9) Jint visit EDH/Fire Service Over the next few weeks EDH tried varius interventins :- Prvided Skip Offered varius advice Installed hard wired smke alarms Threatened Legal Actin
Next Step:- Interventins were unsuccessful File cmpiled by EDH alng with a reprt frm urselves and submitted t curt t btain injunctin Successful applicatin - Cnditins The defendant t take all reasnable steps t clear the prperty f excessive belngings which are a fire risk and cause the prperty t be unsafe. The defendant will clear the prperty f these excessive belngings within 14 days f the rder In the event that the defendant fails t cmply with paragraph 1, the defendant will allw EDH r cntractrs appinted t act n their behalf access t the prperty at an appinted time t allw remval and dispsal f the excessive persnal belngings. EDH will give at least 24 hurs ntice f the appintment. In the event that the defendant refuses t allw access t the prperty EDH r cntractrs appinted t act n their behalf will be entitled t use reasnable frce t access the prperty. Once the prperty has been cleared f the excessive persnal belngings, the defendant will keep the prperty in a safe state and ensure that all rms are fit fr purpse. The Order will remain in frce until the date f expiry f the defendant s tenancy unless by further Order f the Curt.
Tenant given 14 days t clear clutter N attempt made Tenant was infrmed cntractrs wuld enter prperty 16 th January t clear clutter Estimated 1.5 2 tnnes f rubbish remved frm prperty EDH will attend prperty n a regular basis t mnitr Prves value f cperatin with partner agencies Even the tenant cmmented that he was relieved the clean up had taken place!
Living Rm After Befre
Bedrm After Befre
Kitchen After Befre
T Date:- Regular visits are being made t mnitr the prperty(nw Mnthly). Prperty is untidy, but free f clutter.
Partnership Wrking-Obstacles Vulnerable persn frums Obstacles-Open Discussin Wh t cntact Guidance n best practice Sharing f plicies/prcedures
What can we d abut it? Wrk clser with partners t establish links Train staff t recgnise signs and symptms Share infrmatin with partners Crdinated and cllabrative interventins are mre successful Early interventins can ften prevent a situatin frm getting ut f hand
ANY QUESTIONS?