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2 Nov 2009 : Column 766W—continued
Fire Services: Standards
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will introduce nationwide standardisation of fire service operational procedures. [295740]
Mr. Malik: The Government have produced operational guidance for use by fire and rescue services (FRSs) for over 60 years.
The guidance identifies generic risks associated with resolving fire and other operational incidents. However it is for each fire and rescue authority as the employer to utilise the guidance as it sees fit and to ensure safe systems of work for each risk to which its employees are likely to be exposed.
The use of the guidance and the specialist nature of FRSs' work mean that there is a significant similarity in the operational procedures employed by FRSs in England. This is especially the case in safety critical activity such as incident command, control of the use of breathing apparatus and radio communications.
In some specialist functions of FRS activity, such as the Government's urban search and rescue provision, it is expected that teams from across the UK will work together to resolve events. In such cases the guidance is more prescriptive to ensure interoperability.
Fire Services: Training
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will introduce national standards for the training provided to firefighters. [295738]
Mr. Malik: Fire and rescue authorities are responsible for the training of their firefighters. The integrated personal development system, which is underpinned by national occupational standards, provides a framework for the provision of training nationally while allowing individual fire and rescue services to tailor their training provision to meet the requirements of their integrated risk management plan.
FiReBuy: Public Appointments
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria were used in selecting the six individuals shortlisted for the vacant post of Chairman of Firebuy Limited; and if he will make a statement. [296549]
Mr. Malik: The criteria used for shortlisting the candidates for the Chair were published in the person specification for the role which formed part of the application pack for candidates.
Track record of leadership at a senior level in a corporate environment in the public or private sector.
Experience of leading a change management process, establishing and maintaining strategic direction.
Track record of corporate, commercial and financial management in a public and/or private sector environment.
Experience of effective corporate governance and risk management.
Track record of working in an environment with a wide stakeholder community representing a variety of interests.
Knowledge of the emergency services.
Knowledge and experience of public sector procurement, contract and service management.
An understanding about the issues involved in working within a political environment.
The selection process is currently under way and we hope to appoint the chair in November.
Fires
Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the number of domestic fires caused as a result of the operation of (a) electric ovens, (b) gas ovens, (c) microwave ovens and (d) central and water heating systems in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available; and how many of these fires resulted in (i) fatalities and (ii) non-fatal injuries. [293194]
Mr. Malik: Fire and Rescue Services share with the Department details of incidents attended, including of domestic fires. Since 1 April 2009, Fire and Rescue Services have been reporting using the Incident Recording System (IRS). Previously, data were collected according to the Fire Data Report (FDR) form. Details of each system can be found in Incident Recording System Questions and Lists, and Fire Data Report Code List respectively. Both documents are in the Library of the House.
The numbers of fires, fatalities and non-fatal injuries for the most recent 12 month period available are shown in the following table.
Homelessness
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities with no known or suspected rough sleeper problem are not required by his Department to conduct rough sleeper counts. [294945]
Mr. Ian Austin: Since 1998 local authorities conduct rough sleeper counts in accordance with Communities and Local Government's "Guidance on evaluating the extent of rough sleeping". Broadly if a local authority feels that it has developed a rough sleeping problem, and in particular it estimates that there may be more than 10 rough sleepers in the area, then it should count.
There have been significant and sustained cuts in the numbers of people who are living rough on the streets since we established a baseline of 1,850 rough sleepers in 1998. The 2009 headline figure for rough sleeping based on local authority counts is 465 and set out in the table. Since 2009 this no longer includes estimates.
| Local authority | Region | Date | Number |
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