Where applicable, we publish responses to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This one, , is detailed below.
Other FOI's
Ref: FOI/21038
RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST
West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information requested on 5th March 2021.
Please find below a summary of our findings.
Request.
What is the process for alerting you to when an assessment has taken place and a decision made to change a stay-put strategy to one of simultaneous evacuation?
Reply
The responsible person would contact the Fire Service Protection department.
Please link below to further information:
https://www.wmfs.net/our-plan/protection/
https://www.wmfs.net/our-services/fire-safety/
Request
Is there a particular document or form for the assessment itself?
Reply
Yes, Change to Simultaneous Evacuation NFCC.
Please find link below to NFCC guidance
https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/Simultaneous-evacuation-guidance
Request.
How many assessment notifications relating to how many buildings you have received since September 2017?
Reply
16
Request.
How many of these have now had a simultaneous evacuation plan in place for longer than 12 months?
Reply
14
Request.
How long would a simultaneous evacuation policy remains in place?
Reply
Simultaneous Evacuation is a strategy, that a building is designed for. Temporary simultaneous evacuation would be in place for as long as is required to undertake remediation.
Request.
Is there a record that the fire service keeps?
Reply
Yes.
Request.
Does the competent person have to notify the fire service at intervals?
Reply
No
Request.
Related to this – are you notified if/when they revert to a stay-put policy and what documents would demonstrate this?
Reply
Yes we are – a Fire Risk Assessment.
Request.
I know that a simultaneous evacuation policy will be likely to involve a waking watch but is there a document or piece of information I can request to confirm whether that is definitely the case?
Reply
Yes, Change to Simultaneous Evacuation NFCC.
Please find link below to NFCC guidance
https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/Simultaneous-evacuation-guidance
Request.
And finally, are you informed if a building has a waking watch in addition to a stay-put policy?
Reply
WMFS has no information if a building has a waking watch in addition to a stay-put policy.
Request.
Again, what is the documentation that I could request to show this?
Reply
This is not included in NFCC guidance.
If you have any queries about this freedom of information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW
Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.