1. West Midlands Fire Service
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West Midlands Fire Service
VPO’s

2. 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

3. Early Beginnings Main Heading
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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

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Enter the VPO
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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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

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

10. Experiences Improving lives to save lives
SamBurton
Kate Jones
Alan Swift

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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!

14. 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 !

15. 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.

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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Suppression units
Portable Units
Low cost fixed suppression

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

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

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

25. Telecare and Telehealth

26. Telehealth

27. Available training/resources
GTC
Sensory awareness
VPO recall
Managing VPO’s
Drugs and Alcohol awareness
Command training days
bcda
Classroom
Elearning
Hoarding

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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.

32. Serious Incident Reviews
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Serious Incident Reviews
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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       % ( 1)
Known Dementia Diagnosis % (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.

33. Any Questions ? ?