SMART Firefighting: Project Board Report

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Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

SMART Firefighting Project Board Report

Appendix 3

SMART Firefighting: Project Board Report

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Contents Page

Executive Summary 3

Project Board Membership 4

Firefighting Strategy – safety, innovation and efficiency 5

Pre Attendance Intelligence – 999Eye 9

Trauma Research 10

Vehicles – Blended/Mixed Fleet 11

Collaboration – Blue Light Rationalisation/PCC Business Case 12

SMART Thinking 13

Next Steps and Recommendations 14

Summary 15

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Executive Summary

This report provides a summation of progress to date from the SMART Firefighting Project

Board, established in January 2017 as a result of the first recommendation contained in the

SMART Firefighting Strategy document, which went to the Strategic Leadership Group (SLG)

for consideration in November 2016. The core brief was to establish a multi-disciplinary

team from across HFRS to research, field test and evaluate new and developing firefighting

techniques from across the UK and abroad. Members of the board have made visits to a

number of fire and rescue services (FRS) including Suffolk, West Midlands, Hampshire and

Northamptonshire; as well as hosting a demonstration by COBRA Cold Cut Systems at

Longfield Training and Development Centre (TDC). Two Hertfordshire instructors have

attended the tactical ventilation course at the Fire Service College and the board has also

carried out an extensive literature review. The central principle has been to test any new or

emerging techniques against the criteria of safety, efficiency and effectiveness.

HFRS has a well-trained, well equipped and disciplined operational workforce who has

demonstrated on numerous occasions their ability to execute their duties with the utmost

professionalism and competence. This means that as the Service looks to improve and

innovate, it does so from a position of strength. The key recommendation contained within

this progress report is for HFRS to move from a position where tactical ventilation is only

used post fire extinguishment (Stage 1), to a position where operational commanders and

crews have the full gambit of tactical options available based on the situation they are

confronted with. This includes Stage 2 (fire is under control but still burning/smouldering)

and Stage 3 (implementing PPV before committing BA crews – Positive Pressure Attack –

PPA); as well as anti-ventilation techniques and the introduction of high pressure water

mist. To facilitate this policy change, the board recommends both the purchase of the Delta

Fog Spike (currently on trial at Hertford Fire Station) and an additional thermal imaging

camera for every frontline fire appliance. This additional equipment, in conjunction with a

two day tactical ventilation course, to be delivered at Longfield Training and Development

Centre, will ensure HFRS operational crews have the training, equipment and procedural

knowledge to make use of the full range of tactical options available based on the latest

research and innovation.

As well as looking at current firefighting techniques, the board has also considered new and

emerging equipment, alternative vehicles types, future operational demands, pre-

attendance intelligence and more flexible crewing arrangements. Although the central

recommendation in this report is for a policy change to incorporate all tactical ventilation

options and the purchase of additional equipment; it is also to ensure HFRS is at the

forefront of the latest innovations and research; thereby improving firefighter safety and

the service provided to the taxpayer of Hertfordshire. SMART Firefighting is also designed to

be evolutionary rather than revolutionary and part of an on-going process of modernisation.

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Board Membership

Name Role

Jonathan Smith Area Commander – Performance and Business Support

Andy Hopcraft Area Commander – Response and Resilience

Steve Holton Area Commander – Prevention

Peter Hatherley Group Commander – Technical Services

Jamie McIntyre Watch Commander – Training and Development Centre

Trevor Brown Station Commander – Project Officer

Ian Veale Watch Commander – Ops Users Forum

Wayne Gibbons Watch Commander – Ops Users Forum

Derek Macleod Fire Brigades Union

Jon Horastead Group Commander – Watford and Three Rivers (Chair Ops Users

Forum).

Rad Bristow Group Commander – Retained

Paula Stevenson Station Commander – Fire Control

Tony Morrison Group Commander – Fire Protection

Veronica Adlam Health and Safety

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Firefighting Strategy – Safety, Innovation and Efficiency

Firefighting is by definition unpredictable and tinged with inherent risk. HFRS has a duty and

obligation to ensure its operational firefighters are well trained, well disciplined and well equipped.

As stated previously, considerable efforts have been made over the course of the last ten years,

particularly in the fields of breathing apparatus and incident command training to ensure

Hertfordshire’s firefighters are capable of dealing with the most challenging operational incidents.

Given the equipment, PPE and training regimes now in place, it is the view of the board that the

opportunity now exists to place HFRS at the forefront of the latest research and innovation in order

to ensure its firefighting protocols are as current as possible and maximise improvements in

firefighter safety.

The Project Board recommend a phased approach with the first phase concentrating on upskilling

firefighters and officers in the use of tactical ventilation, anti-ventilation and high pressure water

mist. The current position in Hertfordshire pertaining to tactical ventilation is in accordance with

DCOL 14/1999 and the adoption of a staged approach (currently Stage 1 – Post Fire). Neighbouring

FRS currently operating at Stage 3 are Cambridgeshire, Essex and Bedfordshire. Norfolk and Suffolk

also currently operate at Stage 1 and London are currently reviewing their firefighting strategy to

potentially include tactical ventilation as a firefighting tactic. Training and Development Centre (TDC)

have developed a two day tactical ventilation course designed to bring all firefighting personnel up

to a level of competence to ensure safe and effective application of techniques. TDC are also in the

preliminary stages of drafting a bespoke FDO course to ensure tactical commanders also have the

prerequisite skills to use tactical ventilation, anti-ventilation and high pressure water mist as

offensive firefighting techniques. It is also worthy of note that sector best practice requires a

minimum of 7 firefighters to undertake offensive (stage 2 or 3) PPV. External attack using water mist

has the advantage of not requiring the same numbers of personnel to be in attendance.

Anti-Ventilation

It is also the view of the board, stemming from both the literature review and discussions with other

FRS, that the tactic of anti-ventilation also be considered; particularly when combined with the

introduction of high pressure water mist. This means potentially reducing the ventilation to a fire

(closing doors and windows) and then using water mist to suppress. Looking at the experience of the

Swedish and Dutch FRS, using water mist suppression in combination with PPV is seen as the most

safe and effective way of bringing a fire under control if circumstances allow. The Hampshire SAVE

concept (see SMART Firefighting Strategy) uses a combination of high pressure water mist (delivered

by COBRA Cold Cut) and PPV and is based on Swedish firefighting techniques. However, what is

clear from the literature, and indeed the experience of FRS in both the UK and abroad is that there is

not a ‘one size fits all’ option which provides the panacea for safe and effective firefighting. There

will be occasions where the conditions render the use of offensive tactical ventilation appropriate

but there will also be numerous circumstances where that would not be the case. The default

position within UK FRS has been to enter and extinguish fires internally when there is significant

evidence to suggest that a more scientific approach of reducing the levels of ventilation (not opening

doors etc.) and introducing water mist would increase firefighter safety and potentially be a more

effective method of bringing a fire under control.

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Ventilation Profile and Tactical Options

The diagram below illustrates the tactical options available for firefighters and operational

commanders and the board take the view that HFRS should change policy and allow those options to

be available based on the circumstances of the incident.

Water Mist – Equipment (Delta Fog Spike, COBRA Cold Cut)

It is the view of the board that the use of high pressure water mist to supress fire, particularly in the

most dangerous circumstances such as in an under-ventilated compartment fire, should be available

for HFRS crews to use if warranted. This is a tactic used on a regular basis by FRS in Europe (Sweden,

Germany and the Netherlands) and is now being adopted by a number of Services in the UK. At the

time of writing this report, 15 FRS in England had purchased and were using COBRA Cold Cut

Systems as the delivery mechanism for high pressure water mist. Although the board accept the use

of high pressure water as an extremely effective method of fire extinguishment, the board are not

yet convinced COBRA or other water lance delivery systems represent the best value for money or

deliver significantly improved results in comparison to other alternatives – most notably the Delta

Fog Spike which has been on trial at Hertford Fire Station. To fit a standard COBRA system onto a fire

appliance would cost in the region of £35,000. The Delta Fog Spike and associated equipment costs

£830. The Delta Fog Spike can also be used in a variety of circumstances where access to a fire can

be problematic (see clips and pictures below):

Roof entry.MOV Headlight entry.MOV Bonnet entry.MOV

Door entry.mp4

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Kent Fire and Rescue Service have also produced a useful video clip showing the capability and use

of the Delta Fog:

https://vimeo.com/127458603

The Delta Fog Spike is due before the Appliance Equipment and Procurement Board (AEPB) in the

very near future and it is the view of the board that it represents a cost effective and valuable

addition to the equipment carried on HFRS appliances.

Regarding COBRA, a team from Sweden and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service gave a

demonstration to the board at Longfield TDC. The results of the demonstration were impressive with

the COBRA Cold Cut system able to reduce the temperature of a compartment fire from 800 degrees

to 60 degrees in approximately 15 seconds. However, the tests were in an ‘ideal’ setting and the

board felt further testing would be needed before any decision on adding this capability to HFRS was

considered. As a comparison the Delta Fog Spike took approximately one minute to reduce the

temperature to similar levels to that of the COBRA Cold Cut system. A number of Services are now

actively looking at COBRA and an opportunity exists for HFRS to be involved with further tests as

part of a broader collaboration. Essex Fire and Rescue and London Fire Brigade are keen to do some

joint work in this area. For further information on COBRA Cold Cut and high pressure water lances

please see SMART Firefighting Strategy (Appendix B).

Equipment Costs (additional TIC and Delta Fog Spike)

Mi-Tics Yellow approximately £140,000 (Excludes Fitting and delivery)

APB Fitting of Mi-Tic docking to appliances approximately £5000.

Delta Fog Spikes

40 x Type A Fog Spike Kits to include the following:

1 x Delta ‘Attack’ Fog Spike -£225.00 each

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1 x Delta ‘Restrictor’ Fog Spike - £225.00 each

2 x On/Off Ball Valves 1 x fitted to each above – inc on above

2 x 19mm Premiere Quick Release Coupling - 1 x fitted to each above (alternative inlets

available) - £55.00 each

1 x Delta Fog Hammer - £145.00 each

1 x Holster to carry above -£125.00 each

Price: £830.00 per kit

Total Cost £33,200.

The above quotes Attack Spike and Restrictor Spike, if we were to remove one of the spikes it would

reduce cost to £24,200 approximately 9K saving.

Overall cost would be £178,200 (for both Fog Spikes and additional TICs).

Recommendations

The fundamental point is that firefighters and operational commanders in HFRS should be upskilled

to fully appreciate the tactical options available and make the most appropriate choices based on

the situation. To that end the board recommend the introduction of a two-day course to cover all

aspects of tactical ventilation, anti-ventilation and the use of high pressure water mist. This would

see a phased approach to moving HFRS from its current position (Stage 1) to Stage 3 but

supplemented with additional options through the use of water mist and anti-ventilation techniques.

This will then provide HFRS firefighters and commanders with a comprehensive and holistic range of

options when firefighting.

The training would need to be facilitated within suitable and adequate live fire training

environments and it is also the recommendation of the board that the current ‘live fire trainer’

position at TDC becomes a substantive post covering all aspects of the firefighting element of the

SMART Firefighting Strategy. It is anticipated that it will take two years to bring HFRS’ operational

firefighters to the necessary standard, with the initial two-day course being supplemented with

increased ‘live fire’ exposure and appropriate practical and theoretical training.

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Pre Attendance Intelligence – 999Eye

As well as looking at developments within firefighting, the board has also been investigating the

opportunities presented by technology to improve pre attendance intelligence. Station Commander

Trevor Brown and Station Commander Paula Stevenson visited West Midlands Fire and Rescue

(WMFRS) to see the system they have just recently started using operationally. The 999Eye system

was developed in house by WMFRS in conjunction with a developer. The application was then taken

on by Capita who were able to interface it with the Vision mobilising system. Following a 999 call

from a mobile phone, if the caller agrees to the request, a URL is sent to the mobile which then

allows Fire Control to access the camera on the phone in order to provide a photo or live video

footage.

The demonstration provided by WMFRS showed that the pictures and video footage were instant

and very clear. The footage can also be linked to the incident and viewed in the future for fire

investigation and other legal purposes. Interestingly WMFRS referenced the waste plant fire in

Smethwick where the security guard on site made the first call and referred to the fire as small – the

first assistance message was make pumps 35!

The opportunity and potential afforded by smart phone technology to greatly enhance operational

intelligence and situational awareness is clear. The board are firmly of view that the 999EYE system

and other streaming options should be investigated further with a view to HFRS being able to take

advantage of the information provided by smart phone technology.

This picture from the Newgrange Care Home

fire is in fact indicative of the incentive to try

and improve how HFRS takes full advantage of

the intelligence smart phone technology

affords. This picture is the view from a

residential premise opposite the Newgrange

Care Home and would have provided key

operational intelligence to attending crews if

HFRS had the means to use it.

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Trauma Research

The CFOA and NFCC sponsored UK Fire and Rescue Research and Development Function have

launched a project to research and examine the process of trauma extrication. The Extrication in

Trauma (EXIT) Project, led by Dr Tim Nutbeam and Rob Fenwick seeks to bring the medical

profession and fire and rescue services together in order to base operational protocols on academic

and practical research findings.

It is estimated that in the UK average extrication time is around 30 minutes and that fire and rescue

crews are in attendance prior to the attendance of advanced pre-hospital professionals in many

occasions where a casualty is medically or physically trapped. Numerous research papers indicate

that the rapid extrication of a casualty involved in a road traffic collision may cause a similar amount

of casualty movement as a full controlled extrication. This project looks to expand on the work

already completed by Dr Tim Nutbeam and Rob Fenwick and gives an opportunity for UK FRS to have

input into in depth research that could prove to provide a number of benefits including casualty

outcomes and the use of resources from all three emergency services.

The final EXIT report will be presented to the National Operational Guidance Program, AACE, NFCC

leads for road safety and it is the view of the Project Board that HFRS should play a role in bringing

this research forward. Contact has been made with Mike Dayson, Chief Fire Officers Association UK

Research and Development Project Manager and he is keen to use HFRS crews as part of the

research process. This represents a significant opportunity for HFRS to be involved with cutting edge

research which could have significant implications for the future of trauma extrication and the

techniques, equipment and protocols used by fire and rescue services nationally.

Dr Tim Nutbeam MSc Dip IMC FRCEM I GMC number 6105466 Consultant in Emergency Medicine Clinical Academic, University of Plymouth Lead Doctor, Devon Air Ambulance Trust Derriford Hospital I Plymouth I PL6 8DH

Rob Fenwick BSc (Hons) DipIMC (RCSed), NMC 01c1205e - Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Emergency Medicine), Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham.

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Vehicles – Blended/Mixed Fleet

The board have also been looking at the use of alternative vehicle types and the concept of a mixed

or blended fleet to better reflect the current and predicted call type portfolio of a modern fire and

rescue service. The board have visited a number of FRS where this approach is either being adopted

or is being planned for – most notably Hampshire, Suffolk and West Midlands.

The use of alternative smaller vehicles

with smaller crews than the

traditional 4 or 5 is an area of much

debate throughout the sector. As a

result the National Operational

Effectiveness Working Group

(NOEWG) is now coordinating a piece

of work to create a national catalogue

in order to understand the picture

across the country. Having visited and

discussed different vehicle types with

a number of FRS, the board is of the view that further research should be carried out in order to

ensure HFRS is well placed to make an informed decision about changing the current reliance on

Type B appliances.

The board welcome the move to bring

national coordination to this

increasingly prevalent subject area

and recommend HFRS plays a full and

active role. Different vehicles offer

levels of flexibility in both crewing

levels and operational response which

are worthy of further consideration.

As the call portfolio continues to

expand and diversify, a blended or

mixed fleet would allow a more intelligent approach to be taken to operational deployments;

particularly when combined with

improved pre attendance intelligence.

However, the board have also seen

other FRS make mistakes in the types

of vehicles they have purchased and

in how they are deployed. Involving

HFRS in the national workstream

would help mitigate this risk. For

more information on alternative

vehicles please see the SMART

Firefighting Strategy document.

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Collaboration – Blue Light Rationalisation/PCC Business Case

Collaboration between the blue light services continues at pace and the SMART Firefighting Strategy

is cognisant of the need to comply with the Policing and Crime Act. The board have also discussed

the potential increased demand on HFRS resources as so called ‘discretionary capacity’ is used to

assist colleagues in not only the police and ambulances services but across the spectrum of

community safety such as in telecare response. This links with the discussion around alternative

vehicles and crewing models. If the fire and rescue service nationally, and HFRS locally are going to

continue to expand their blue light offer then a rethink of current deployment models is required. It

is the view of the board that collaboration and the ever more interoperable nature of operational

response will need to be factored into the future planning of service delivery.

With the publication of the PCC business case and subsequent public consultation for assuming

governance responsibility for HFRS, the SMART Firefighting Strategy serves as a mechanism for

helping to ensure any changes at an operational level are ‘owned’ by the Service. Indeed one of the

key drivers behind the Policing and Crime Act was the perceived lack of accountability and

responsiveness to change in FRS identified by the then Home Secretary Teresa May. The SMART

Firefighting Strategy provides clear evidence of HFRS responding to the ever changing needs of the

people of Hertfordshire and for ensuring its operational response is current, relevant and effective.

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SMART Thinking

As HFRS continues to evolve and respond to the different demands being place on its staff, standing

still and not reflecting those changing demands in operational response is not an option. The

essence of this report and the broader SMART Firefighting Strategy is to root everything we are

doing as a Service in the latest innovation and research so that our operational crews can respond

safely and effectively. It is also to ensure HFRS is ensuring it is seen as an innovating and dynamic

service; prepared to think differently about how it uses the latest technology and procedural

guidance.

So called ‘big data’ is becoming increasingly indispensable in keeping urban conurbations clean,

prosperous and safe. Firefighting strategies should be flexible enough to respond to the

opportunities technology affords and be part of the solution to keeping people safe. Whether it is

the SMART Cities concept or the Internet of Things, urban living is becoming increasingly reliant on

smart technology to facilitate increases in population size and changing demographics. The fire and

rescue service more broadly and HFRS in particular must be cognisant of these developments in

order to maximise improvements in both firefighter and citizen safety.

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Next Steps and Recommendations

1. HFRS changes policy to move from Stage 1 to Stage 3 in its adoption of tactical ventilation

techniques.

2. Anti-Ventilation and the use of high pressure water mist should also form part of the

operational options available to firefighters and officers.

3. All operational firefighters to attend a two-day tactical ventilation course. It is anticipated

that it will take two years to bring all crews up to the required standard. Pilot courses to

begin September 2017 with the first official course beginning in January 2018.

4. A bespoke FDO ventilation course will also be devised to help support delivery.

5. The current temporary ‘live fire’ trainer position to become a permanent post focusing on

the firefighting elements of the SMART Firefighting Strategy.

6. Over the course of the next two years HFRS will purchase the Delta Fog Spike (once it has

been through the AEPB process) and make provision for an additional OIC’s TIC on every

front line appliance.

7. The continuation of the SMART Firefighting Project Board to carry out further research over

the course of the next two years to ensure HFRS is involved at a national level with

alternative vehicle types and crewing models; new trauma extrication research; improving

pre attendance intelligence; increases in call types; the impact of an aging workforce and

utilising SMART City technology.

8. Work collaboratively with regional and national FRS to enhance our shared knowledge

regarding firefighting methodology.

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Summary

This report from the SMART Firefighting Project Board compliments and expands on the rationale

and direction of travel of the overarching SMART Firefighting Strategy. The report makes

recommendations that could be implemented now but will compliment further research in key areas

such as cold cut systems, alternative vehicles and pre-attendance intelligence. It also looks to ensure

HFRS is seen as an innovating and dynamic service; keen and willing to play a role in national

projects. Yet the central premise has been and must continue to be developing operational

methodologies that are not only cutting edge but enhance firefighter safety.

The report is based on the research stemming from visits to other FRS, demonstrations by

manufacturers and an extensive literature review. The report is also intended as a first step to start

to bring the many different facets together under the umbrella of SMART Firefighting. Due to the

size and complexity of the subject area, the Project Board since January have concentrated on

improving current firefighting techniques and therefore make the subsequent recommendations to

change the HFRS position on tactical ventilation and incorporate the use of anti-ventilation

techniques with high pressure water mist. This decision can be taken now but will take two years to

bring the current operational workforce up to the required level of competence. This two year

timeframe will allow the Project Board to continue their work in order to make further

recommendations regarding vehicles and crewing arrangements, pre-attendance intelligence and

utilising modern technology.

HFRS stands well placed to realise the opportunities ahead to not only improve firefighter safety but

embed innovation and technology in its organisational culture.