West Midlands Fire Service Main Heading Sub Heading/Body Copy West Midlands Fire Service VPO’s

Course Content Day 1- Introduction Eddie Sammons dynamic mobilising Katrina Harris Safeguarding and professional Conduct Ian Sturmey VPO Role, case studies and equipment Gary Hall (Baywater) Medical oxygen risks Paul Hinkley Occupational Health Day 2- Adult Safeguarding & Mental Capacity Act Day 3- Dementia Awareness Day 4/5- Adult Mental Health Awareness

Early Beginnings Main Heading Sub Heading/Body Copy WMFS recognised a common theme with fire deaths and injuries Decision to initiate Vulnerable Persons Officers role formally (VPO) May 2010 Recognition of training needs to specialise, to meet the needs Idea came from a pilot project in Coventry with Mental Health Teams Started at 30 VPO’s, now over 100 delivering bespoke interventions Based on initial pilot with mental health teams in Coventry Martin Gilbert from BCDA and Dee Westwood Associate Dementia Specialist were instrumental in shaping the VPO training course One week course that includes one days input on Dementia from Dementia UK, safeguarding and mental health, Alcohol and Drugs awareness This role is in addition to FF/Support role

Main Heading Enter the VPO Sub Heading/Body Copy Provide appropriate and effective interventions to improve safety for those identified as extremely vulnerable Gateway and conduit to partners, carers and professionals who have a shared responsibility for the safety of vulnerable people Develop referral systems with our partner agencies. Number of cases that involve Dementia: 7 dementia related cases referred to Dudley Command 18 dementia related cases referred to Coventry Command Will be replicated across the Brigade and there are many referrals that mention age related memory loss/confusion without confirming as dementia

The Reasons for Change We were not targeting the most vulnerable people We were targeting properties not people Preventable fire deaths have not reduced in recent years Insufficient skills internally to work efficiently with partners

Command Structure Supporting VPOs Partnership Officer & VP Lead CRRO Youth and Adult VPOs Operational Crews

What's it like? Don’t panic you will be supported Shadowing experience VPO You wont be thrown in at the deep end

What's it like? Deliver bespoke interventions mostly in core hours Deal with the most complex cases? Work with Partners in a multi agency environment Deliver training to Partners Create and enhance Cascade training to crews (MECC, Your role etc) Point of contact for crews Attend Serious Incident Reviews when needed

What's it like? Do we get paid? Will I get rich from being a VPO?

Experiences Improving lives to save lives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1g_UZhPX44 SamBurton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9lYxs1fuXQ Kate Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqrm1LB1c_k Alan Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVG_SAiKk3c

Referral Process Work carried out must be approved by VPO Lead Officer. Where possible work like cascade training, working with partners should be carried out in core hours. Interventions are best completed outside of core hours

Who do we target? Mental Health issues/ Dementia Mobility/Physical Impairment Sensory loss Learning Difficulties Substance dependency (Drugs & Alcohol) Prescribed drugs Chaotic Lifestyle Signs of previous fires (eg cigarette burns) Live alone Smoker The list in this slide highlights the people or groups most likely to die in a fire. The list shows many of these people would be open to one or more partner organisations. Through initial training in the hazards relating to fire, and referral through to the fire service an impact can be made on the numbers of deaths.

Which partners do we work with? National organisations Social Services/Adults & Communities Social Housing providers Telecare National & Local Charities Small voluntary groups Carers/ Family members/friends Anyone who goes through the front door of a vulnerable person!

5% of the population are having 80% of the fires ! Mental Health Within the West Midlands of the last 37 fire deaths 28 (75%) have all had a history of mental ill health. A history Mental Health has proven links with fire deaths nationally. As such referrals to FRS and joint working between all relevant parnters can reduce these figures. 5% of the population are having 80% of the fires !

Substance misuse (Drugs & Alcohol) Alcohol or substance misuse is a factor for nearly half of all dwelling fires where mental health issues were present. Combined with smoking or cooking the risk increases dramatically. Due to reduced cognitive ability, not only are fires more likely to start, but the person is less likely to escape.

Substance misuse (Drugs & Alcohol) Common Conditions that affect fire safety? Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia Personality Disorder Depression Dual Diagnosis

Physical Disability/ Mobility Difficulties More people with disability are now living independently in their own homes instead of living in supported accommodation. The main fire safety issues are: Smokers who are bed dependant Escape Plans and Night Time Routine Alerting the emergency services Cooking Safety: May have issues with hand dexterity due to disability. Wheelchair users have more risk associated with cooking and different systems may be needed. Kitchen maintenance is also an issue without regular support. Escape Plans: These will differ dependant on the level of disability and may even result in advice to stay put as long as fire service can be alerted. Consider Telecare, Community alarms Night Time Routine: Dependant on disability carers would need to carry out night time checks. Smoke Alarms: Appropriate type of alarm system is essential. Disabled person would need support with maintaining and testing any smoke alarm system. Consider specialist alarms such as HI and Telecare.

Risks associated Sensory Loss Deafness affects 1 in 7 people in the UK Ranging from mild to profound hearing loss Main risk with deafness is inability to be alerted in case of fire. Fire Service can identify the risks and help find the best solutions. Deafness/Visual Impairment: Vulnerability increases for both types of sensory loss when they are combined with each other. Also when other disabilities are present and smoking and alcohol the risk increases.

Equipment Available ? 10 year smoke alarms Heat Alarms Low Frequency sounder Hearing Impaired alarms Deep fat fryers (not commonly available) Mattress toppers Fire retardant mats Letterbox protectors Fire retardant bedding & throws Portable and fixed Suppression Systems Telecare

Suppression units Portable Units Low cost fixed suppression

Portable Suppression units 18 in Brigade Misting system Rapid deployment Single room use Limited coverage Limited duration

Low cost fixed suppression Cost met by RSLs and WMFS More pleasing to the eye Better protection eg more heads

Telecare and Telehealth What is Telecare? Extension of Community Alarm/Careline Additional auxiliary equipment

Telecare and Telehealth

Telehealth

Available training/resources GTC Sensory awareness VPO recall Managing VPO’s Drugs and Alcohol awareness Command training days bcda Classroom Elearning http://bcda.learningpool.com/index.php Hoarding http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/cir.pdf

Serious Incident Review History Previously no coordinated approach to looking at fire fatalities or serious incidents. There were FOSIs and a narrative report from FDS Officers WMFS had no mechanism for structured learning from such incidents

Serious Incident Review What happened next? Pilot scheme set up by Community Safety HQ, February 2011 Looks at the circumstances that led up to a fire fatality or serious incident Criteria for setting up an SIR was: Any fire fatality A potential fire fatality Incident involving an over 65 with significant smoke inhalation Incident that involves children and burns

Serious Incident Review What does the SIR process do? Process focused on Learning Outcomes Links with Serious Case Reviews and Safeguarding Looks to involve external partners Influence WMFS, Regional and National Community Safety Helps identify trends

Serious Incident Review Sections Sections1&2- Initial circumstances& WMF involvement. Attending FDS Officer Section 3-Partner engagement: Operations Commander/Command Team Section 4 Fire investigation Attending FRIS officer Section 5 Legislative Fire Safety Command area Fire Safety Manager Section 6 Learning outcomes meeting Operations Command, Community Safety HQ, Partner Organisations FRIS etc.

Serious Incident Reviews Main Heading Serious Incident Reviews Sub Heading/Body Copy Gender Age Female    37% (11) Over 50 80% (24) Male    63% (19) Over 65 47% (14)   Over 80 23% ( 7) Suspected Cause  Smoking      40% (12) Electrical           17% ( 5) Cooking                     13% ( 4) Too close to Combustibles 10% ( 3) Other                           10% ( 3) Self Immolation        7% ( 2) Homeless/Arson       3% ( 1)   Known Dementia Diagnosis 18% (5) In receipt of Known Care Package 27% (8) SIR process set up in 2011 28 SIRs = 30 casualties Identify the common themes Started off for WMFS internal learning only Recently have involved SG Board members, Housing Teams, Social Care Teams. Learning is now shared with partners and have shaped WMFS services as well as external organisations Known dementia featured in some 5 recent cases – another current review being undertaken – not included in these figures where dementia is a known factor.

Any Questions ? ?