Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Chief Fire Officer, which explores how the Service has achieved the core purpose over the last six months of making life safer.

The Authority considered a report from the Chief Fire Officer (item 8 in the minute book), which explored how the Service had achieved its core purpose over the last six months of making life safer.

In summarising the report, it was highlighted that there had been a small increase in response times owing to incidents in more remote (rural) or difficult to access locations, the impact of reduced on-call availability, and the resource impact of the extreme weather conditions experienced throughout the summer heatwaves (June through to August). There had also been an rise in sickness levels owing to increases in COVID-19 and mental health sickness. Whilst this did create pressure, the primary concern was supporting staff.

The skills deficit in filling vacancies was a national issue and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service had found localised solutions to be very successful and finding the right people for the right type of cover needed.

RESOLVED

The 2022/23 Mid-Year Performance Report was noted by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Full Authority