Research and Development Newsletter

Transcription

1 Research and Development Newsletter The role of UKR&D UKR&D are developing a programme that supports UK FRSs and partners to deliver a resilient function to assess, develop and instigate proven and robust solutions based on research, development, analysis and evaluation. Services will be able to tailor these solutions to local needs, allowing them to improve safety for firefighters and the public whilst reducing duplication and cost. Its aims include providing a central function where FRSs can share information using best practice. With the launch of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) UKR&D will come under the Sector Improvement & Assurance Committee chaired by Geoff Howsego. Foreword by Geoff Howsego The UKR&D team has achieved a great deal in a few short months. There is however a considerable amount more we can do as we build a sustainable future for national Research and Development. The support shown by Fire and Rescue Services across the UK has been most welcome and I d like to personally thank you for your contributions and positive approach to this new initiative. Page 1 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

2 The team has completed some early projects with a wide range of further projects planned across all levels of Research and Development from early concepts through to the assessment of market-ready equipment. Funding will continue to be provided for the committed programme elements using the existing CFOA funding streams. This will allow us to continue until the end of this financial year with invoices to be sent to all services in the coming weeks. Everyone s continued support is appreciated and vital as we develop our capabilities as a sector. We are working on a business case for submission to the NFCC that sets out our vision for continuing towards a more sustainable position and ultimately taking UKR&D into a business as usual form. As we will be discussing the future arrangements with colleagues in the Home Office and Services within the Devolved Administrations, the current period of Purdah will inevitably lead to some delay until after the June election has taken place. We are using this time to fully consider the outcomes of the Blue Light Works report. This was funded by the Home Office and passed to us in late April. It will assist by allowing us to take a more thorough and informed view of how to create a sustainable, cost effective and efficient R&D capability across the whole of the UK. I look forward to our continued work with you, feeling assured that together we will achieve even more. Geoff Howsego - NFCC Lead for UKR&D and Chair of Sector Improvement Coordinating Committee Conferences, Presentations & Communications CFOA/FIRESA Conference The 1 st March saw the third joint FIRESA Council & CFOA event take place at the Fire Service College This was recognised as an opportunity for UKR&D and National Procurement to engage with suppliers and Fire and Rescue Service stakeholders. To this end the agenda included updates from Ann Millington (Commercial Procurement Lead), Geoff Howsego (UKR&D lead), an overview of the current Home Office Commercial Directorate from Rob Eason and an update from the UKR&D Delivery Team. The UKR&D presentation is available to view here The event was recorded and live streamed. The video content remains available to view at Our thanks go to the Hampshire FRS Media Team for doing this which allowed us to increase our reach with 231 playbacks in total, 31 viewers at the stream s peak and a total of 92.5 hours watched via the live streaming in total. UKR&D Survey Report Our survey report from 2016 was finalised and published for the CFOA/FIRESA conference and is available on the UKR&D pages We received a high return rate with most FRSs having contributed for which we would like to note our thanks. We will repeat the exercise later this year in collaboration with the National Procurement Hub. Page 2 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

3 Security and Policing Show UKR&D attended Security and Policing in support of The Centre for Applied Science & Technology (CAST). During the show Geoff Howsego presented an update on UKR&D and hosted a visit with Andy Bell the Director of CAST and the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor Peter Holland. The show provided an opportunity to further expand the UKR&D network. In particular the team represented UKFRS on a panel arranged by the International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation. Here we contributed to the USA Department of Homeland Security s (DHS) understanding of UKFRS capability needs in relation to first responder tracking, as well as detection and identification of hazards. We have agreed we could be a single point of contact to DHS for this ongoing work. Trauma Care Conference UKR&D attended the Trauma Care Conference on 15 March This was an opportunity to support our health colleagues Rob Fenwick and Tim Nutbeam who are working on the Extrication in Trauma project. Command and Control User Group The CCUG received an update during our attendance on 14 February. There were interesting conversations in particular around the physiological monitoring capability development and the integration of this concept into future decision-making. Blue Light Works (BLW) Consultation During February and March a small team were commissioned to carry out a review of UKR&D with the following mandate: To provide an independent assessment of whether the existing plans for a Fire and Rescue Services R&D Hub represent an effective approach to achieving its stated objectives. This involved interviews with various stakeholders, partners and customers, culminating in a focussed workshop at The Fire Service College which took place on 22 March This involved a number of FRS R&D leads at short notice, so our thanks go out to those who were able to attend. The report contains observations and recommendations for further improvements that are currently being considered by the team. UKR&D Website & Communities With the new NFCC website recently launched we are now in a position to develop a bespoke area for UKR&D, which we will do with support from CFOA and our NFCC FirePro colleagues. We also have a CFOA Communities area dedicated for discussions around Research and Development that is aimed at those with an R&D role in Fire and Rescue Services. In order to Page 3 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

4 access this you will need a CFOA My Association Account and request access for the Research and Development FRS Leads community. UK Blue Light Resource Group Home Office CAST are in the process of establishing a new Blue Light Resource Group. This will help to inform future projects that they carry out in particular identifying those that have cross sector benefits. The inaugural meeting will take place on Tuesday 2 May 2017 at their Langhurst site. The network aims to gain an appreciation of capability development needs of first responders. We will act as the single point of contact for UKFRS and update this group on some of the current work and priority areas for UKFRS capability development. UKR&D Methodology and Best Practice Guide As part of this implementation phase UKR&D continue to develop a Best Practice Guide to R&D in the Fire and Rescue Sector. This will be adopted by UKR&D as well as being shared and promoted for use by UK FRS s. This is being produced in consultation with UK FRS R&D leads, representative bodies, and suppliers, with input from relevant academic institutions. This will now incorporate agreed outcomes from the BLW consultation. Your service is asked to share any existing policy, procedures, guidance or advice with the team for incorporation into this guidance. Please send by to researchanddevelopment@cfoa.org.uk or contacting Alex Rhodes alex.rhodes@hantsfire.gov.uk who is leading on this work. Research Projects & Other Workstreams Contaminants and PPE NFCC lead for Health and Safety CFO Chris Davies is coordinating work in this area. The Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) are providing support and leading on aspects of this work. A stakeholder group comprising of nominated leads from CAST, Representative Bodies, The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), CFOA and the wider fire sector has been established to carry out relevant work in a phased approach. CAST have now completed the first phase, a review of the available literature and are taking the opportunity to seek peer review to help inform next steps. CFO Davies and the board seek to finalise wider communications subsequent to a meeting which took place on 14 March UKR&D lead is Garry Brown garry.brown4@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Investigation into Audibility of ADSU s A potential issue was initiated by CFO Gary Walsh (Respiratory Protection Equipment lead) on behalf of the NFCC and we have been asked to support this work through investigation. Evidence suggests that audibility of current ADSU s could be adversely affected by modern PPE ensembles. There is a commitment from CAST that we are able to use their resources to carry out the initial investigations. We are awaiting availability of anechoic chambers and sound technicians, planning to move into a trial during April/May UKR&D Lead is Tim.clapp@cfoa.org.uk Page 4 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

5 EXIT Project (Extrication in trauma) The Extrication in trauma project is now progressing and we aim to start practical research in the coming weeks. We have identified four independent stages of the project: Review of research relating to attendance times of fire crews and ambulance crews at road traffic collisions involving trauma. Review key actions fire crews could take to save life, prevent the condition of a casualty deteriorating and promote recovery. Assessing the viability of firefighters taking a more proactive role in supporting a casualty to leave a vehicle where there is a benefit in them doing so. Examine the viability of developing a standard set of trauma informative messages that fire and recuse services could use in the initial stages of an incident involving trauma. Research the movement of a casualty during the extrication phase of a road traffic collision, with the aim of determining the most appropriate way of extricating a casualty. We have a number of FRSs who have expressed an interest in assisting, over the coming weeks we will look to build on these relationships. We are interested in discussions with FRSs who are looking at the subject of extrication and trauma. If your service has an interest in this area, please contact the UK R&D team to discuss how you could be involved. Alternatively if your FRS has carried out any level of trauma/extrication research we would be more than happy to discuss. UKR&D Lead mike.dayson@cfoa.org.uk Physiological Monitoring of Firefighters UKR&D recognise the need to support the development of new capabilities in this this area. With the support of CFO Peter O Reilly, Greater Manchester FRS are currently investigating how the physiology of firefighters can be monitored and provide information regarding their safety, prior to and during firefighting operations. UKR&D are working alongside GMFRS as they take this project forward. A stakeholder group drawn from partners across the sector and UK FRS will be formed with support from UKR&D and CAST. Waste Fires There has been a number of high profile, protracted and recurring fires at licensed and unlicensed waste and recycling sites across the UK. These fires have the potential to burn for protracted periods impacting local communities, infrastructure and the environment. Tackling these types of fires can be resource intensive and be impacted by other agencies or legislative impacts. Building on research already carried out in this area under the direction of ACFO Mark Andrews, a Project Initiation has been produced with support from UKR&D to carry out a live testing phase and conference supported by The Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum. This is intended to take place during June 2017 with the conference currently planned for 23rd June. Page 5 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

6 Equipment Assessment Projects In line with our priority to carry out proof of concept equipment assessment the following three agreed projects have been progressed. Rescue Tools This first proof of concept of national equipment assessment was designed in close collaboration with the National Procurement Hub. As a result and in order to ensure all suppliers were able to participate a detailed Prior Information Notice (PIN) was submitted through the Blue Light Portal of the Official Journal of the European Union. This successfully alerted the 6 suppliers who went on to take part. UK R&D conducted this assessment of both power pack and battery operated rescue tools at the Fire Service College on the 30th and 31st of March These assessments were designed so they can be replicated either within a service or as and when new tools are developed. By using common cars on the UK roads the assessments are relatively easy to replicate. The assessments included a number of tool operations including: The speed of tools getting to work The speed of tools under operation The amount of times the tools could lift and lower an object Battery capability Noise levels at the scene of operation Cutting, spreading and ram capabilities. Ergonomic assessments Participants and observers from 12 UK Fire and Rescue Services attended over the two days and the report should be published by early May These assessments aim to give Fire and Rescue Services detailed information on the six suppliers of rescue tools that attended. A report will now be produced and made freely available which in addition to this product information will also provide information on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of rescue tools. FRSs who are considering the replacement of rescue tools are encouraged to contact the UK R&D team. Positive Pressure Ventilation Equipment This project will focus on the practical use and application of the different drives available for PPV fans, their performance and any limitations that they may have. Page 6 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017

7 The range of fans will include; Battery driven (self-contained) Engine driven Electric (240V mains or generator) driven Hydro (water) driven In a similar manner to that applied to Rescue Tools, a Prior Information Notice will be submitted inviting suppliers and manufacturers to take part. We anticipate that this assessment will be taking place during 17 & 18 August We encourage FRS s to express their interest if currently considering strategic options around PPV replacement. UKR&D Lead is Tim.clapp@cfoa.org.uk Body Worn Video BWV is the final agreed proof of concept priority around equipment assessments. This workstream will further support FRSs looking to develop this capability through sharing of best practice and experiences where BWV has been implemented. This will be extended to other emergency services including Police and Ambulance. Greater Manchester FRS has agreed to host a UKR&D forum on this subject aimed at emergency services suppliers, academics and other subject matter advisors to take place during July Further details will follow, but save the date. UKR&D lead on this is Tim Clapp tim.clapp@cfoa.org.uk Research Research Portal A NFCC web area for research has been created UKR&D will continue to populate this with sector relevant research. If you have research papers which you feel will be useful please forward to researchanddevelopment@cfoa.org.uk, where appropriate they will be included on the portal area. International Partnerships Memorandum of Understanding agreements have been signed with the University of Fraser Valley and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. There is ongoing work to develop further mutually beneficial MoUs with the Federation of the European Union Fire Officer Associations (FEU), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and The Australasian Fire & Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC). Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Please contact the relevant UKR&D team members if you require further information on any of the work areas. Alex Rhodes UKR&D Delivery Group Lead E: researchanddevelopment@cfoa.org.uk Page 7 of 7 UKR&D Newsletter May 2017