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ANNEX B

The very low percentage of female firefighters, which has reduced even further from1996, is concerning: is anything being done to tackle this imbalance? Are current staffing levels adequate to meet the Service's needs and standards? Will new recruits' pay and service conditions compare unfavourably with those of existing staff in view of the proposals for future contracts? The high level of sickness is concerning: is anything being done to tackle this?

The Service has begun an outreach programme to try to attract more female applicants, and it is showing signs of success. There is now also a special pack for all applicants as potential firefighters. Last year females made up 12% of the total application figure, which was double that of the previous year.

A complaint about lack of funding for recruitment has since been addressed and present staffing levels can fully meet the needs of the Service. There will be 26 new starts in February this year and a further 24 in August.

The unions and management have so far failed to agree on the new proposals for conditions of service so the status quo remains.

The Service is continually aiming to reduce its levels of sickness and closely monitors absentee figures, which it accepts as being too high. Additionally it has introduced light duties as a short-term option for staff who temporarily cannot perform the full range of normal duties.

The Chief Fire Officer envisages a number of changes as part of the Organisational Review. Are any significant problems foreseen in implementing these? Is the perceived religious imbalance in recruitment being addressed by the new Code of Procedures on Recruitment and Selection? Could there be closer co-operation with the Ambulance Service in responses to emergencies? Is anything being done to increase further the 89% of homes with smoke alarms and to emphasise the importance of properly maintaining the alarms? Are hoax calls a major problem?

No major problems are foreseen in re-organising the administrative structure. In terms of infrastructural changes, it will be a question of juggling capital finance.

The Service is working very closely with the Fair Employment Commission in relation to the recruitment of full-time firefighters; videos are now being sent to schools, there are cadet firefighters, and there is an outreach programme specifically targeted at women. This year the Service has exceeded its recruitment targets for Catholics and women. The current Protestant/Catholic application breakdown for full-time fire-fighters is 60:40. The situation with part-timers is more delicate as they must live and work within the vicinity of their local station; therefore the make-up of these staff for each station will usually more closely mirror that of the local population.

The Service is most anxious to work closely with the Ambulance Service, and an important aspect of co-operation is the sharing of control facilities. It also recognises the potential to train people for a First Responder Scheme as operated in parts of the US.

The Service will be campaigning this year to build on the 89% of households with smoke alarms, as well as emphasising the need to maintain properly existing alarms, and it continues to work closely with the Housing Executive and Health and Safety Inspectorate. Also, although new houses must now have a hard wire smoke alarm, the Service is lobbying for building regulations that would require additionally a battery back-up.

Hoax calls both as a result of broken systems and pranksters are a problem and the Service is tapping into the UK National Strategy to try to tackle it.

Any comment on speculation that the Service or individuals within it could be in line for a gold medallion award? What are the panel's views on the Home Office's plan to introduce a statutory duty on the Service to educate the public on related safety issues? Are there plans to stop the emergency allowance made to staff during the Troubles, and if in peace times there is a significant drop in the number of incidents, will there be a knock-on effect for staffing?

Lord Dubs met with the Chief Fire Officer in relation to the Service's being awarded some form of recognition for its work since its inception. The preference would be for a form of corporate recognition if any.

There is currently no statutory requirement for the Service to educate the public on safety-related issues; nor is there a legal obligation for it to respond to road traffic accidents! The Service would like to be able to employ a full-time education officer.

The Service accepts that the allowance that its officers receive for working in Northern Ireland (overall m£1.5) is likely to cease. However, in terms of staffing, it was only ever funded for normal fires, and a mere 2%to3% of calls related to the civil situation. In fact, the number of fire call-outs has been steadily increasing so a reduction in staffing is not expected.

Is the Service content that the North/South arrangements are working well? Who is responsible for the replacement of a smoke alarm battery in a Housing Executive home? Are there safety requirements for multi-occupancy houses? Is there an increasing problem in part-time fire fighters getting time off work to attend their duties?

The Service has no concerns about border fire control. Indeed, Donegal County Council has contracted it to cover the East Donegal area. There is also close co-operation with Counties Louth and Monaghan, and Dublin's main training centre has provided courses for the Service's staff.

The HE tenant is responsible for the replacement of an alarm battery.

Multi-occupancy housing is a big concern and an area where the Service would like to see more emphasis placed on public safety. Owners of these houses/flats should register with the HE, which is solely responsible in law.

There is an increasing reluctance among employers to release staff for part-time fire-fighter duties given the costs involved.

Health and Social Services Minutes 12 January 2000