1. Hoarding as a Health & Safety Risk
Station Commander
Dominic Furby

2. Hoarding
Misconception is that hoarders are messy people

3. Understanding Hoarding Behaviour
Personnel are aware that Hoarding typically manifests itself in 3 ways:
Acquisition
Saving
Disorganisation
1. Acquisition- Compulsive buying and/or accumulation of free items e.g. Newspapers, Junk Mail. Motivated by belief that by having them they are bringing comfort or ‘rescuing’ items. Provide sense of security, (especially if they are a victim of crime)
2. Saving: 3 reasons- ‘Sentimental’ possibly motivated by grief due to item holding memory of loved one
‘Instrumental’ Stems from a history of deprivation
‘aesthetic’ Items seen as too beautiful
3. Items of value are mixed in with rubbish, hoarders often have difficulty info processing/decision making

4. Clutter Image Rating Scale
Crews are trained to identify Hoarders through the ‘Clutter Image Rating’

6. WYFRS Response on identifying Hoarders
Level 1or 2
Carry out Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) with specific advice & possible family support
Liaise with Partner Agencies
Level 3
Carry out HFSC and refer to Specialist Prevention Personnel
Level 1 or 2- Use appropriate language

7. WYFRS Response on identifying A hoarder
Level 4-9
Carry out an enhanced HFSC
Add appropriate information to ‘Turn-Out’ information
Information shared on ‘Safety Critical Information Point’
HFSCs arranged at neighbouring properties
Partner Agencies informed if not already involved
Enhanced HFSC:
Inspection of every room of property is carried out and tailored advice provided
Fully tailored escape plan discussed with occupant with alternative escape routes highlighted
Smoke detection fitted in all areas at most risk of exposure from fire
Inspection of external areas of property and advice given on storage of refuse and recycling
Specific consideration given to the provision of any other intervention methods

8. Referrals
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (Calderdale) handled over 50 hoarding cases in the last 3 years
90% of these were referrals generated from Partner Agencies

9. Partnerships Together Housing West Yorkshire Police
Mental Health Services
Victim Support
Environmental Health
Waste Management
Adult Safeguarding
Calderdale Help in Bereavement

10. Potential Health & Safety risks for Firefighters
High fire loading
Rapid fire spread
Increased fire severity and heat
Restricted access/egress points
Entrapment of crews by falling stacks
Reduced visibility
Hose lines becoming trapped by stack collapse
Imposed load from possessions and additional water leads to early structural instability
Increased likelihood of vermin around property

13. Any Questions?
B.A. DEPT