The Scotland Together Report

4 November 2009 by Jim Bennett

A report commissioned by the Scottish Government reveals there were 131 accidental fire deaths in homes recorded in a survey between April 2005 and March 2008. Of these, 72% involved properties with no working smoke detectors.

The Scotland Together report is the result of research carried out by Government officials and fire service experts headed by Brian Sweeney, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s chief officer
The research – the most detailed ever undertaken – produced 37 recommendations including providing sprinkler systems to “at risk” households. Fire officers believe sprinklers would have prevented 80% of the deaths recorded in the survey.

Main Recommendations:

• A “root and branch” review of the Home Fire Safety Visit system including the introduction of points system to target those who are most at risk.
• Establish a multi-agency Safer Scotland Unit toco-ordinate community safety.
• Issue a “sprinkler challenge” to assess how Scotland can develop an affordable domestic sprinkler system.
• Support the extension of fire detection requirements in building standards
  Introduce “reduced ignition propensity cigarettes” – which are self-extinguishable and considered safer.
• Start multi-agency Fatal Fire Case Conferences to investigate blaze deaths.
• Work more closely with health agencies to establish an effective referral system to signpost those most at risk.
• Work with the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland to investigate an under-reporting of secondary fires

The report backs moves to extend the current requirements of smoke detection being fitted in newly built and converted homes by fitting additional smoke detection in principal habitable rooms, such as the living room and bedrooms.

It also recommends Scotland supports a European standard for “reduced ignition propensity cigarettes” – those that go out quickly if unattended and which are less likely to set fire to soft furnishings such as sofas and beds. The study estimates that up to 36 lives could have been saved had such cigarettes been mandatory in Scotland since 2005

The Eight Step Training Model: Improving Disaster Management Leadership

12 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

In the aftermath of public tragedies such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, intense scrutiny was placed upon the emergency management community throughout all levels of government.

Clearly, it is imperative that emergency managers understand the scope and scale of these events and subsequently the depth of planning required to execute coordinated preparedness, response and relief efforts. However, plans are merely a step in the overarching requirement of coordinating disaster response and delivering relief.

One method for emergency managers to achieve success may be through the implementation of a disciplined training methodology, developed in the United States Army, known as the “Eight Step Training Model.” For more info please click here

Health and Welfare Reports: emergency response

1 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare issue reports - called KAMEDO reports which are very informative in lessons learned from emergency reponse scenarios and crisis preparation.

Information on the terror attacks in Madrid may be found by clicking here.

Other topics may also be found on their site by clicking here.

Understanding Crowd Behaviours

19 July 2009 by Jim Bennett

In 2008 the Civil Contingencies Secretariat commissioned Leeds University to produce a series of research reports collectively titled ‘Understanding Crowd Behaviour’. These reports are now being published as part of the body of UK Civil Protection Guidance.

While definitive, precise and infallible rules for event preparation and crowd management simply do not exist, these reports have distilled and interpreted what represents good practice and they will provide planners with clear direction, and supporting information, about the assumptions that can very reasonably be made about crowd behaviour.

Five reports comprise the guidance. Each is briefly summarised below, with links to each report.

    * Understanding Crowd Behaviours: A Guide for Readers [PDF 2.3MB] – This brief report summarises the substantive research reports and is the recommended starting point for readers.

    * Understanding Crowd Behaviours: Guidance and Lessons Identified [PDF 13.2MB] – This is a highly practical report, which provides a comprehensive set of good practice guidelines for crowd events and management, and for emergency situations and evacuations. It also provides a comprehensive set of good practice guidelines for simulating crowd behaviours. This report should be of interest to all those involved in the field of crowd events.

    * Understanding Crowd Behaviours: Supporting Evidence [PDF 6.2MB] – This report sets out the literature behind the good practice guidelines for crowd management, emergency situations and evacuations and crowd simulation techniques. It is expected that readers will want to explore this report as a supplement to “Understanding Crowd Behaviours: Guidance and Lessons Identified”, in order to better appreciate the derivation of the guidelines.

    * Understanding Crowd Behaviours: Simulation Tools [PDF 2.7MB] – This report contains a detailed review of three of the leading agent-based simulation tools currently available. It is particularly relevant to those already involved with simulating crowd behaviours, or those who are looking to use simulation tools to assist with event preparation.

    * Understanding Crowd Behaviours: Supporting Documentation [PDF 2.1MB] – This report sets out and references in detail the sources of the literature underpinning the guidance and lessons identified. As such it is a resource for readers wishing to further explore aspects of the literature in which they are most interested and researchers in the crowd behaviour field.

Stockline Explosion Report Issued

by Jim Bennett

Key Points:

• The inquiry found the plant’s underground liquid petroleum gas (LPG) pipe was viewed as “out of sight, out of mind” by the owner.
• Management at ICL “lacked knowledge and understanding” about LPG.
• There were deficiencies in the HSE’s oversight of ICL in failing to appreciate the significance of buried pipework.
• When the yard was raised in 1973 and the floor was laid over the open pit area, safety implications were overlooked.
• Laying a chequer plate floor over the open pit area in 1982 effectively put the pipe entry to the building out of sight.
• Weaknesses in the regulatory regimes existed in the 1980s and they failed to highlight the problems
  Lord Gill says sites with underground metallic pipes between LPG tanks and appliances should have the piping replaced with polyethylene.
• An early inspection should take place of all buildings with LPG supply

Details of the FULL report please click here.  (190 pages, summary – 5 pages)

HSE’s reponse to Lord Gill’s report – please click here.

2009 AGM, Conference and Exhibition

18 July 2009 by Jim Bennett

1-2nd July 2009  our annual AGM and confernce was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

Conference theme: Fire and Life Safety Engineering – The Impact on Global Communities. Our International president, Bill Stewart,  welcomed key thinkers from around the world to Glasgow and a dynamic event that included: Australian Wildland Fires, Human Fire Behaviour, Wind Driven Fires, Fire Problems in Europe, the 21st century Fire Safety Engineer, Community Fire Safety in Scotland, the Channel Tunnel Fire, Fire Engineering for Life Safety, Field Research for Cyclic Performance of Fire Resistant doorsets, NFPA Global Inpact on Fire Engineering.

Death of Firefighter Ewan Williamson

14 July 2009 by Jim Bennett

It is with deep rergret we learn that a firefighter has died on duty serving his community. The death of Ewan Williamson has been a great shock to his family, friends and colleagues in Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.  The UK and international fire engineering community is greatly saddened by this tragic event. Our thoughts and condolences to all.