FBU Bethnal Green - Fire Brigades Union

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10 We recommend that guidance on correct procedures needs to be re-issued, reemphasisedby increased levels of BA training and enforced on the incident ground.Anecdotally, it would appear that very few firefighters have actually ever trained orpractised with a second set.11 We recommend that a review of the awareness of second set procedure throughoutthe Brigade should be conducted urgently, and if the findings confirm generic nonunderstandingor practising of these procedures, that there should be a review oftraining practice and policy on this procedure.There is an abundance of evidence that crews waited until they were exhausted beforewithdrawing. This is contrary to good fireground practice and Operational Order 91. Alsocrews were entering a severe fire without water a water supply. Some crews relievedothers at the entrance not at the branch. We recommend that:12 Guidance needs to be re-issued, re-emphasised by increased levels of BA trainingand enforced that crews will withdraw / be withdrawn before exhaustion occurs;13 Officers to be trained in the effects of heat stress and how to manage an incidentwhilst avoiding heat stress;14 All personnel to undergo training which involves experiencing heat stress and beingable to observe the effects in others.Location of casualties has proven to have been difficult for crews, even with an ADSUsounding.15 We recommend that the identification or development of locational tracking systemsbe continued and introduced as early as possible.Adherence to BA procedures is risk critical. Since the deaths of firefighters at Villiers Roadand Gillender Street, instead of improved BA training we have watch-based assessments(which can in no way be deemed realistic), where training has to be fitted in and aroundother demands on watches’ time. Increased emphasis on community fire safety measureshas led to a reduction in training.16 We recommend the reintroduction of regular trainer-led BA training courses.The BAECO was task-loaded. This is unacceptable. It was also noted that there wasincorrect storage of the BA sets worn by the two casualties. We are left in no doubt that itwas of little consequence for this particular incident, but at other incidents the need forsafe and proper storage may be vital. We recommend that:17 The procedure in Operational Note 91 regarding BAECOs duties remains extant i.e.that the BAECO must have no other duties or roles other than that of managing theBA Board. Further, that as soon as is practicable, that a junior officer be designatedas the BAECO;18 The procedure in Operational Note 91 regarding tabards remains extant i.e. theneed for a BAECO to don the BAECO tabard is essential;19 That training on correct procedures needs to be re-issued, re-emphasised byincreased levels of BA training and enforced on the incident ground;20 That the BAECO at all times be assisted by a Radio Communications operative;12
21 That the minimum standard of entry control for all incidents be that currently knownas Stage 2;22 A review of Distress to Wearer procedures to ensure that suspect BA sets areimpounded by a designated officer separate from the BAECO and radioCommunications Officer.6.3 REAL FIRE TRAINING AND TRAINING IN FIREBEHAVIOURReal fire training is currently only provided to trainees. The Brigade’s policy is not toprovide carbonaceous real fire training, or to ensure that firefighters undergo this training,nor does it have any policies or plans to introduce planned continuation training in real firetraining for its personnel. Real fire training must include practical demonstration of andguidance on backdraught and flashover. The failure to provide real fire training andpractical and applied training in fire behaviour is as critical as the BA procedures whichunderpin our ability to safely fight fire.The Brigade and Authority have failed to fulfil their policies, obligations, statutoryrequirements and to carry out the advice from ODPM. Section 2(2) of the HASAW makes a general requirement to provide “information,instruction, training and supervision” Regulation 13 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999makes a general requirement to provide training when there are new or increasedrisks and to new recruits which could be said to apply. GM358 part III Section 7 outlines a recognition of the need to provide realistictraining GM314 part 3 section 10 makes a general provision for attendances on real firetraining courses National Guidance to Principal Officers from ODPM gives clear advice on the needto provide real fire training and comprehensive knowledge of the behaviour of fireand measure the outcomes. The Fire Service Guide H&S for managers gives clear advice on the need fortraining to expose firefighters to the hazards in the training environment in order toreduce the risks at the incident ground This same advice is a lift from FSC 5/ 1996 HSE OP8 1996 makes it clear that there is a “legal obligation to train staff to meetthe hazardous situations to which he may encounter (sic)” It was recognised in the Report of the Home Office Review team Blaina 1996 It was also recognised in DCFO letter 11/1999 In the light of the incident at Bethnal Green following on as it does from the nearfatalityat Telstar House in 2003, it appears unarguable that (HSG 65) HASAWAMHSAW requires the Brigade to meet the requirements to provide practical real firetraining including flashover and backdraught, and training in the other behaviour offire.We therefore recommend:23 An urgent review should be carried out, and action plans to meet the outcomes ofthe review should be devised and implemented quickly. Due regard should be had13
Page 1 and 2: Findings of theFBU Health and Safet
Page 3 and 4: SECTION 1: INTRODUCTIONThe FBU safe
Page 5 and 6: The second crew fought their way th
Page 7 and 8: On receipt of this make up, Control
Page 9 and 10: Hose reel jets were being used in t
Page 11: The task loading on the Incident Co
Page 15 and 16: 36 Systems are put in place to prev
Page 17 and 18: 6.9 LONDON SAFETY PLANIt is the vie
Page 19: 68 We recommend that in order to al

FBU Bethnal Green - Fire Brigades Union

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