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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what risk assessments have been undertaken prior to the removal of the attendance of aerial appliances from automatic fire alarm actuations; what effect he estimates these will have on (a) commercial and (b) residential properties and occupiers' fire safety plans; and what effect he expects the reduction in aerial appliances to have on (i) standard operating procedures when attending incidents in high rise premises and (ii) the time taken before intervention by firefighters. [184345] Mr. Raynsford: A comprehensive review of all operational activity over the past five years has been undertaken by West Yorkshire Fire Authority. A formal consultation exercise is currently ongoing in relation to the findings of this review. It concludes on 13 September and includes representative bodies, local authorities and neighbouring brigades. Standard operating procedures relevant to high rise, commercial and residential properties are not based upon the use of an aerial appliance, however, if one is needed it can be called upon. Occupiers' fire safety plans have no dependence on the attendance of an aerial appliance.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

184345; 423 c1258W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Fire and rescue services Equipment Standards Safety Safety measures Vehicles Risk assessment West Yorkshire High rise flats

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk