CFOA False Alarms Policy

[colin todd]

Does anyone know whether this has or has not been launched. I cannot find a final version on the CACFOA website.

[Chris Houston]

I am in the process of looking into this to find out what bearing the recommendations had.  I'll let you know when I find out.

[Guest]

it was released last week at the fire conference - link from cfoa website

http://www.fire-uk.org/

dave bev

[colin todd]

Davey, Are you aware that Somerset are going to apply a version of the policy to 999 calls direct from occupiers who have no ARC connection but call the brigade when the fire alarm sounds? If they cannot give a reason for the alarm actuating they will be told that the FB will not attend and that they are to toddle off to investigate and call the FB back if there is a fire (assuming they survive the fire of course).

[Chris Houston]

...while their own fire safety risk assessment (and all previous advice from all interested parties) is likely to be to get out when the fire alarm system activates and don't enter until the fire brigade or others say it is safe to do so.

Who is going to check is there is a fire in a school, what knowledge will they have of fire alarm systems?  Even if they have their appointed trained person, they might be at lunch, uncontactable or in the process of evacuating (obvioulsy not stopping to collect any items such as mobile phones or walkie talkies.)

Maddness.

[Chris Houston]

My opinion is that if each brigade has a different policy about how to deal with this, it will lead to confusion, delays in fire fighting, extensive property damage, and possibly deaths.

All the extra property damage will be paid for by insurance companies, who will put up their premiums.  Businesses and individuals will pay for it and any minute savings that are made via fire brigades will pale into insignificance compared to this.

[colin todd]

That's the one.

[wee brian]

Lets start pushing for a National Fire Brigade.

[colin todd]

......and bring back National Bus Company. I always liked them. They frequently had really interesting and spectacular fires, and I had a patent on an-in bus fire detection system. Then these nasty capitalists dismantled it all. Once Davey and his friends take over the world, I imagine that even fire consultancy will be natinalised and then I can be a (part time) civil servant like you Wee B.

[colin todd]

Davey, if you read this could you get in touch asap regarding a F&RS false alarm policy that is in draft but is about to come into force soon, and I think has implications for your control op members apart from fire safety in the county.

[Guest]

oncs@fbu.org.uk

thanks

[Guest]

Some fair points, but, would you not accept that as 25% of all calls to Fire Brigades are from AFD’s, and 98% of them are false alarms or do no require any fire fighting action at all, that something has to be done about premises owners who refuse to tackle the problem of multiple false alarms?

I think some of your response has rather over simplified the proposal made by CFOA.

[colin todd]

I dont think its the CFOA policy that is worrying people. Its more radical individual policies introduced by brigades such as Somerset. I spend the odd happy moment of time telling clients that they have great false alarm policies, but unfortunately they are crap fire procedures. People have got such a bee in their bonnet about false alarms, and understandably so, that they write their so called fire procedures around assumptions that all fire alarm signals are false alarms. One expects to have to explain this to the punter. One does not expect to have to explain it to a fire brigade. No good will come of it. It will all end in tears. You read it here first.

[Gary Howe]

I have just read the false alarm policy document and in section 1.9 it mentions that fire brigades with will encouraged to adopt the CAFOA policy document on dealing with false alarms. What does this mean?, will some will and some won't, I assume from the postings on the BB that some brigades will be disregarding it and adopting their own policys, what's that old line about all singing from the same hymn sheet?

I look forward to your replies


Regards and happy new year


Gary Howe

[colin todd]

CFOA cant enforce their policy on anyone. Its intended as a model policy for brigades to adopt as they like in the hope they wont go it alone with extreme policies. Problem is some already have and others may in the future.