Fire & Rescue performance, modernising the Service and responding to the challenges of climate change are among the topics Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams will discuss with Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber at a public meeting taking place on Wednesday 9 November.
The Public Performance Meeting, which will be broadcast live online from 1pm, is the first to be held since the publication of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) report into Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service in July.
Mr Adams said: “The meeting will give the public the chance to hear directly from Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber about the work he is leading across Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service to keep our communities safe.
“It’s vital that the region has a modern, flexible Service, able to prepare for and respond to emerging challenges, whether that’s from climate change, or the fire risks associated with waste crime or new technologies. We’re seeing more and more extreme weather events, for example, and this summer’s record-breaking temperatures brought increasing demands due to wildfires.
“I’ll be talking to the Chief Fire Officer about what he is doing to ensure the Service can continue to meet these challenges, as well as the range of preventative and educational work underway to protect those most at risk.”
At the meeting, topics discussed will include:
- His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ inspection, published in July, which looked at how effective and efficient Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service is at keeping people safe from fire and other risks, and how well it looks after its people
- An update on the Service’s transformation programme, which aligns to the Commissioner’s key priorities of delivering a modern, flexible and responsive Fire & Rescue Service
- How the Service responded to the extreme weather conditions seen over the summer, and the impact extreme events such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall can have on demand
- Ongoing work to protect people and places, through activities such as the Community Sprinkler Project, high-rise buildings inspection programme and ‘safe and well’ visits to those most at risk from fire
The Public Performance Meeting will be streamed live, and will also be available to view online afterwards. Find out more and watch the meeting.
