Date of Request
13/01/25
Request
To whom it may concern,
We are conducting research on the use of emergency securing services (such as boarding up and securing buildings) for the UK’s fire departments. As part of this research, we would like to find out the following information about your fire department’s practices and data in this area. Specifically, we are looking to cover the following:
Scenarios and Usage:
– In what scenarios do you use emergency securing services (i.e. when would you use forceable entries that require emergency securing services)? Are there standard guidelines or policies governing when these services are engaged?
Frequency:
– How many cases require emergency securing services annually (ideally from 2010 to 2024). If possible, please provide a breakdown of the cause of forced entry (i.e. executing search warrant, concern for welfare, to prevent property damage, etc.).
Service Providers:
– Who are the main providers or contractors engaged for emergency securing services?
– What proportion of emergency securing services does each contractor achieve?
Expenditure and remuneration:
– How are these services funded – is there a framework in place (if so, please provide detail)? Which parties are responsible for remunerating the emergency securing service contractor?
– What is the average cost per securing service?
– What has been the annual expenditure on emergency securing services for each year from 2010 to 2024?
If this information is already publicly available, please let me know where I can locate this data.
Thank you in advance, I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.
Response
Good Afternoon,
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.
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and can be found as below.
– In what scenarios do you use emergency securing services (i.e. when would you use forceable entries that require emergency securing services)? Are there standard guidelines or policies governing when these services are engaged?
It is the strategy of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority (HWFRS) to comply with the legislative provisions of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. Specifically:
Section 44: Powers of Firefighters, etc. in an Emergency
Section 45: Obtaining Information and Investigating Fires
Section 46: Supplementary Powers
Frequency:
– How many cases require emergency securing services annually (ideally from 2010 to 2024). If possible, please provide a breakdown of the cause of forced entry (i.e. executing search warrant, concern for welfare, to prevent property damage, etc.).
Please see the attached PDF for an estimated breakdown.
Service Providers:
– Who are the main providers or contractors engaged for emergency securing services?
– What proportion of emergency securing services does each contractor achieve?
Any requirements we have for boarding up are done via Facilities Management. The Service have no contracts in place for Emergency Securing Services at present.
Expenditure and remuneration:
– How are these services funded – is there a framework in place (if so, please provide detail)? Which parties are responsible for remunerating the emergency securing service contractor?
– What is the average cost per securing service?
– What has been the annual expenditure on emergency securing services for each year from 2010 to 2024?
N/A – No securing services are currently used.
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, 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,
Information Governance Team