The death of Greater Manchester firefighter and union member Stephen Hunt at Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in July 2013 was tragic and needless, something that never should have happened. Intent on ensuring that the lessons learned from Stephen’s death are implemented, the FBU played an active role in the inquest – the outcome is that the senior coroner wrote to the Home Secretary outlining 10 serious concerns to be actioned to prevent future fire deaths.
The FBU also made a detailed submission to the Home Secretary, giving examples of these same concerns being raised following previous firefighter fatalities stressing that, sadly, these lessons had not been learned.
The union followed this up with the government’s chief fire and rescue advisor (CFRA) at a meeting where we were informed that the majority of these concerns would be addressed through a review of guidance.
We challenged this approach at the meeting and in a follow-up letter reiterating that guidance alone will not prevent further firefighter deaths or injuries. This letter detailed the inadequacy of the government’s approach and explained why other factors need to be considered.
The union is determined to ensure that fire services apply the lessons from Stephen Hunt’s death, which in several areas tragically reflect similar lessons from earlier deaths. We want the lessons of other firefighter fatalities, injuries and near-misses to be learned and acted upon.
We have published a full report on the Oldham Street incident as part of our campaign on firefighter safety. It contains all of the above correspondence.
WE WANT THE LESSONS OF OTHER FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES, INJURIES AND NEAR-MISSES TO BE LEARNED AND ACTED UPON.
Although the guidance is very important, it is only part of the remedy and there are at least five factors that need to be actioned if firefighter safety is going to be improved.
- An immediate review and amendment of the existing guidance – a clear example is given related to breathing apparatus – including a review of the training provided.
- Ensure that this training is appropriate, consistent, effective, managed, recorded and scrutinised.
- Monitoring of fire and rescue services to ensure that they adhere to the guidance and the training packages.
- Review of incident command to ensure that the lessons taught as part of the guidance and training regimes are delivered and adhered to at incidents
- Enforcement is necessary to ensure that the guidance and training packages are applied as proposed and not diluted or ignored.
The FBU supports Home Office plans to establish an independent fire inspectorate in England. We believe this could improve the monitoring and enforcement required for fire safety.
But we have stressed that the inspectorate must be “sector competent” in order to understand the challenges of the occupation and risk involved.
The failings associated with simply looking to CFRA and the Chief Fire Offices Association for guidance have been reiterated, and we have suggested areas where the FBU can assist with improvements.
We have already met to discuss the inspectorate’s remit and mode of functioning. We stressed that it must concentrate on operational matters and the improvement of the professional standards that are crucial to firefighter safety.
KEY ROLE
The coroner who conducted the inquest into the death of Stephen Hunt recognised that the FBU and fire and rescue authorities have a key role in managing and monitoring how his concerns are implemented.
We are taking steps to ensure that the topic will be on the agenda for joint health and safety committees, and that our relevant officials are thoroughly briefed.
Every member of the FBU needs to play an active part in the collective safety measures that will best protect firefighters on the fire ground.
We are organising meetings with members and officials and providing the tools to engage and campaign for improvements in firefighter safety.
Members are encouraged to take part in political lobbying to help ensure that firefighter safety – protecting those who save the lives of others – is given the priority it deserves.
The union will continue to advocate central government structures and the representation of the full range of fire service views, with the FBU playing a central role in securing ongoing action on firefighter safety.
All avenues will be explored as we drive this issue forward and members will be regularly updated on the progress of this campaign. Union officials will discuss this issue at FBU brigade committees, and make sure it is on the agendas of joint health and safety committees.
All members are asked to consider the contents of this report and to join the campaign. These critical lessons around firefighter safety must be learned once and for all.
