GFRS Activity Following High Rise Fire at Grenfell Tower 14th June 2017
PLEASE FIND ATTACHED AN UPDATE AS OF 1700HRS ON 16 JUNE 2017 REGARDING THE ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY GFRS FOLLOWING THE TRAGEDY AT GRENFELL TOWER LONDON
Following the tragic event in London in the early hours of Wednesday 14 June 2017 Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) have been proactively assessing risk and reassuring the communities of Gloucestershire. GFRS have reviewed the fire safety arrangements in all medium and high rise buildings in the County with a particular emphasis on residential premises. It has been identified through our own internal intelligence, onsite visits and liaison with occupiers and owners that no premises in Gloucestershire have exterior cladding which is appears to be the focus of speculation at this time to the rapid fire spread witnessed in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
GFRS became aware of the events unfolding in London and immediately collated a comprehensive list of high and medium-rise premises in the County. Immediately in the morning of the 15th June a comprehensive reassurance campaign began to reaffirm public confidence with each individual premises visited by Crews and Fire Safety Officers. The Onsite risk Inspection visits were to confirm that no cladding was in place and crews also ensured that fixed instillations such as hydrants and dry-risers were serviceable and in good working order. Vulnerable residents were offered immediate “Safe & Well” visits and a number of visits to other households were organised.
The highest risk premises were prioritised and Crews provided a visible presence, offering door to door advice as well as identifying potential safety and low level fire safety issues. This activity has continued throughout today and has been well received by the community. Some of the higher risk premises were visited twice to ensure that as many of the residents as possible could be contacted. This afternoon lower risk premises on Gloucester Docks were targeted in a similar fashion as before to reassure residents. Two Crews and a number of Community Safety Advisers established themselves directly in front of the Mariners Chapel, and Crews have carried out door to door visits. This will continue into the evening to ensure working households are contacted.
A number of relatively minor fire enforcement issues have been identified and the management company’s and residents committee’s have been contacted to deal with the issues identified. All this information is being uploaded to our operational intelligence database to ensure our risk information is fully up to date.
Work will continue into the evening in Gloucester Docks to reassure residents, and Safe & Well visits organised during the reassurance campaign will be carried out over the weekend. Firefighters from all over the County have volunteered to assist in any way possible.
Additionally, seven of our stations have volunteered to carry out charity car washes to raise money for the victims of the disaster over this weekend.