Date of Request
January 24
Request
I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act.
Please could you inform me of the numbers of incidents your brigade has attended for fires on:
1. electric buses (where the battery was believed to be the cause of the fire)?
2. hybrid-powered buses (those with duel power; electric and usually diesel or petrol where the battery or hybrid power supply was believed to be the cause of the fire)?
If you could break that down for the (financial or calendar) years for 2023, 2022 and 2021, if that data is available. If there have been any such incidents this year (2024), I would also like to receive that.
3) Based on the assumption that such incidents are relatively low, can you provide details of each incident, including perhaps the when, where, owner of the vehicle (i.e. is it a public transport bus, minibus, schoolbus, double-decker, single-decker etc) and any other recorded particulars about the nature of the fire i.e. was the fire localised to the battery, did it spread, was the vehicle burnt out, were any other vehicles of buildings ignited, how many appliances and firefighters were in attendance, how long did it take to extinguish the fire/make it safe and were there reports of any injuries?
4) Again, based on the assumption that such incidents are infrequent, was the fire service ever required to write a report on any of the incidents. If so, could I have a copy of any such reports? I accept that may involve some redactions.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within 20 working days after you receive this email. If I can be of any assistance in any way regarding this request, do please contact me by telephone on 07966 499579 or email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Response
Dear X
Thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your request.
The Service can confirm that some of the requested information is held and that during the period 1 Jan 2021 to 31 Jan 2024, the Service did not attend any fire incident which would concern bus / coach / minibus fuelled by electricity or hybrid power.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards