Information on the justification, rationale, benefits and risks of changes to the type of fire appliances used by the service

The request was partially successful.

Dear Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service,

Would you please provide copies of all original documents (reports, risk assessments, trials, studies etc.) held by the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, or Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, that contain information on the following topics:

1. The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the introduction of Light Rescue Pumps.
2. The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the introduction of Rapid Intervention Vehicles.
3. The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the introduction of Incident Support Units.
4. The risks related to the replacement of full size, conventional pumping appliances with Light Rescue Pumps or Rapid Intervention Vehicles.
5. The intended locations of Light Rescue Pumps and Rapid Intervention Vehicles (including draft documents, if these have yet to be finalised).
6. The impact of the above changes on Retained Duty System crewing at fire stations.

I have searched your website, but been unable to find any such documents. However, if any of them are there, then a link to their location will be acceptable in place of the document copy.

Yours faithfully,

A.C. Morris

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

 

Thank you for your request for information which was received on 29 March
2018.

 

I can confirm that we are dealing with your request under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and as required by the legislation, we aim to answer
your request within 20 working days from the date we received it.  If for
any reason we are unable to meet this deadline we will keep you fully
informed of the reasons for this.

 

Our response will be via email unless you advise differently.

 

If you have any queries about this please contact me via the details
provided.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[1]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[2]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook   [5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

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A.C. Morris left an annotation ()

Internal review unsatisfactory. Matter now referred to the Information Commissioner.

A.C. Morris left an annotation ()

Apologies, the previous annotation is incorrect. That applies to another FOI. This one is still awaiting a response.

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

 

In the process of reviewing your request of 29 March 2018, we have found
that some of the information requires us to consider the public interest
because of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity. Therefore, please
be advised that in such circumstances, the Information Commissioner allows
us to claim a reasonable extension of time in which to respond, usually no
longer than an additional 20 working days.

 

Apologies for any inconvenience, but we will respond to you as soon as we
are in a position to do so.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[1]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[2]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook   [5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

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Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

5 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

 

I write in response to your request for information, acknowledged on 29
March 2018 and last emailed to you about on 26 April 2018.

 

Decision

The information you have requested is held by the Devon & Somerset Fire &
Rescue Service (DSFRS).

 

Please find below the detail of the information you have requested along
with our response.

 

Request and Response
1.The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the
introduction of Light Rescue Pumps.

Please see the attached. Redactions have been made under Section 40
Personal data and Section 43 prejudice to Commercial Interests. Devon and
Somerset have considered the information believe the release of this
information would harm the commercial interests of those involved. We can
see no public interest in releasing the personal data of the individuals
involved.

 

2. The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the
introduction of Rapid Intervention Vehicles.

Please see the attached. Redactions have been made under Section 40
Personal data and Section 43 prejudice to Commercial Interests. Devon and
Somerset have considered the information and we can see no public interest
in releasing the personal data of the individuals involved and believe the
release of other information would harm the commercial interests of those
involved.

 

3. The justification, rationale, benefits and risks regarding the
introduction of Incident Support Units.

Please see the attached. Redactions have been made under Section 40
Personal data and Section 43 prejudice to Commercial Interests.

 

The document we have released is the latest information we hold about this
vehicle, but the project is currently under review.

 

4. The risks related to the replacement of full size, conventional pumping
appliances with Light Rescue Pumps or Rapid Intervention Vehicles.

Please see the attached. Redactions have been made under Section 40
Personal data and Section 43 prejudice to Commercial Interests. Devon and
Somerset have considered the information and believe the release of this
information would harm the commercial interests of those involved. We can
see no public interest in releasing the personal data of the individuals
involved.

 

5. The intended locations of Light Rescue Pumps and Rapid Intervention
Vehicles (including draft documents, if these have yet to be
finalised).           

The LRPs locations are attached and the first RIVs are to be located at
Dartmouth, Tiverton, Princetown, Porlock and Training (as of April 2018).

 

No other locations are agreed at this point in time and are therefore
exempt under Section 22 Information Intended for Future Publication.

 

6. The impact of the above changes on Retained Duty System crewing at fire
stations. None.

 

You may also find the additional information below of interest:

 

The link below shows where the Fire and Rescue Authority approved the
consultation for the Tiered Response:

[1]https://fireauthority.dsfire.gov.uk/CeLi...

 

The links below takes you to the planning documents:

[2]http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/AboutUs/WhatWeD...

 

Review

You have the right to ask us to review this decision.  If you wish to do
this please set out your grounds for review in writing and send them to
the Information Officer at the Service Headquarters address or e-mail
[3][Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service request email].

 

Appeals

If you are still dissatisfied after a Service review you have the right to
appeal to the Information Commissioner at the Information Commissioner’s
Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[4]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[5]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [6]@DSFireUpdates 
[7]Facebook   [8]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 26 April 2018 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Information on the
justification, rationale, benefits and risks of changes to the type of
fire appliances used by the service

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

 

In the process of reviewing your request of 29 March 2018, we have found
that some of the information requires us to consider the public interest
because of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity. Therefore, please
be advised that in such circumstances, the Information Commissioner allows
us to claim a reasonable extension of time in which to respond, usually no
longer than an additional 20 working days.

 

Apologies for any inconvenience, but we will respond to you as soon as we
are in a position to do so.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[9]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[10]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [11]@DSFireUpdates 
[12]Facebook   [13]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Dear Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

My grounds for review are set out below, but can be summarised as follows. Some of the information requested has not been provided and there has been unjustified redaction in the documents that have been supplied.

When carrying out the review, I would ask that you be mindful that the information requested concerns the most significant change to fire appliance provision in Devon & Somerset for around 70 years. The consequences of getting that change wrong could result in increased loss of life and increased property damage. It is therefore a significant matter of public interest.

I would also remind you that the Government has voiced concerns that the fire & rescue service is in need of greater accountability, scrutiny and transparency. The Prime Minister, when Home Secretary, insisted that there needed to be “closer scrutiny by taxpayers and communities”. Only last month, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service Nick Hurd reiterated concerns about inadequate transparency and a need for greater accountability.

The inadequate response to this Freedom of Information request suggests Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are ignoring the Government’s wishes.

Document Redactions

Section 40 - The data redacted under this section appears to be the names of individuals responsible for elements of the significant changes covered in the documents. They are public employees and should be accountable to the public for their actions. Showing names alongside responsibilities is not harmful or unfair, so redacting them simply raises questions about why Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service wants to keep their involvement secret. I would remind you that the principle behind the Act is to release information, unless there is a very good reason not to. No good reason has been shown for these redactions.

Section 43 - The data redacted under this section appears to cover different pieces of information, so I will look at them individually. However, throughout it appears that the harm claimed is not real, actual or of substance.

1. Tiered Response FBC

a) Pages 1 & 2 – this appears to be redacted names, please see comment in section 40 above.
b) Page 9 - redacting the information on this page prevents proper public scrutiny of the evaluation process. The public, who depend on the vehicles when they are in trouble, and firefighters who will use them are entitled to be sure the evaluation was appropriate, fairly applied and without bias. It is also in the interest of the companies involved to see that the process has been fair and, for companies that were unsuccessful, to learn where they need to improve their offering in the future. The prejudice to commercial interest claimed does not appear genuine, but appears intended to obstruct public scrutiny.
c) Pages 32 to 44 - the Commercial Case, Financial Case and Management Case are fundamental matters of public interest and crucial to the “closer scrutiny by taxpayers and communities” that Theresa May expects in relation to the fire & rescue service. Hiding this detail suggests that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is concerned that the Commercial, Financial and Management Cases will not hold up to public scrutiny.
d) Pages 45 to 57 – this covers project management, including governance, roles and responsibilities, controls and risk management. The secrecy for this section is quite worrying, as it suggests that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is not confident that their project management would stand up to public scrutiny. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is a public body, not a commercial concern, so section 43 does not apply.
e) Pages 58 and 60 – this appears to be redacted names, please see comment in section 40 above.

2. RIV Full Business Case

a) Pages 1 & 2 – this appears to be redacted names, please see comment in section 40 above.
b) Page 3 – there seems to be no justification for redacting the headings for the options considered under either section 40 or section 43.
c) Pages 24 to 27 – the advantages, disadvantages and risks are crucial for effective public scrutiny of the decisions made. It is important to see that the right choice has been made, that the criteria used were valid, and to be sure that no bias has been shown towards a particular option. Looking at the unredacted options 1 and 6, it is clear that different types and configuration of vehicles, with different payloads and equipment, were being compared. It was not therefore comparing how different manufacturers intend to meet a standard specification, so there should be no commercial sensitivity.
d) Pages 33 to 37 – these are details of the option recommended, so are of significant public interest. As the tender process has been completed, a supplier chosen and the first RIVs delivered, there can be no commercial reason to redact the detail on these pages.
e) Pages 41 to 65 – the Commercial Case, Financial Case and Management Case are fundamental matters of public interest and crucial to the “closer scrutiny by taxpayers and communities” that the Government expects from fire authorities. Once again the secrecy evident in these redactions suggest that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is concerned that their decisions will not hold up to public scrutiny.
f) Page 66 – Annex A is the RIV Contract Award Recommendation Report and, as the contract has been awarded, there can no longer be any harm to commercial interests by showing the information in annex A.

3 Delivery Strategy ISU

a) Page 1 – this appears to be redacted names, please see comment in section 40 above
b) Page 5 – this appears to be the locations of the Incident Support Units, which is a significant matter of public interest that should not be kept secret from the public who are paying for these vehicles and who are dependent on Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for their protection. Section 43 does not apply.
c) Page 7 – there can be no legitimate reason for redacting the heading to appendix A. There may also be no legitimate reason for redacting anything on this page, but until the heading is shown I cannot determine if the redaction is justified.
d) Pages 8 to 10 – the inventory of equipment for the Incident Support Units is a matter of significant public interest. With reduced equipment on Light Rescue Pumps and Rapid Intervention Vehicles, the correct equipping of Incident Support Units is vital. As the order for these vehicles has been placed and the first one delivered, there can be no risk of harm to any commercial interest by showing the detail on these pages.

Information not provided

1. I requested “copies of all original documents (reports, risk assessments, trials, studies etc.)”, including on “the risks related to the replacement of full size, conventional pumping appliances with Light Rescue Pumps or Rapid Intervention Vehicles”. Your response refers me to the attached documents. However, the documents do not cover operational risk assessments or health & safety risk assessments.

There have been a number of reports, case studies and guidance documents from Government departments, the Audit Commission and the Health & Safety Executive regarding the need for risk assessment for the changes covered by this FOI request. The reports include such points as needing to underpin change “with very, very robust evidence before you do it”, and ” there must be adequate evidence to support and justify any changes proposed”.

Therefore, as a responsible fire & rescue service, I have to assume that you have carried out generic and specific operational risk assessments, plus health & safety risk assessments in relation to these changes. Your own publicity has stated that the fire stations where the Rapid Intervention Vehicles will be located are being decided on risks and incident types in that area. So there is no doubt that you hold such information, you have just failed to provide it.

2. I also asked for the intended locations of Light Rescue Pumps and Rapid Intervention Vehicles, but you have not given me all the intended locations of Rapid Intervention Vehicles. Section 22 does not exempt information simply because it has yet to be agreed. The intended locations must have been considered in order to inform the decision on the number of vehicles to purchase.

Once again, a significant matter of public interest that should not be kept secret from the public who are paying for these vehicles and who are dependent on Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for their protection. The information can and should be provided, even if it is with a caveat that intended locations may be subject to minor change. It is not reasonable in all the circumstances to withhold this information.

3. You have not provided information on “the impact of the above changes on Retained Duty System crewing at fire stations”. Astonishingly you have simply said “none”. It is not clear if that means you have no documentation on this, or if you are claiming that there will be no impact.

I cannot believe that a responsible fire & rescue service will not have assessed the impact on RDS crewing. For example, with some stations having to crew an Incident Support Unit, in addition to their firefighting appliance, there has to be an effect on crewing. Also, with fewer Medium Rescue Pumps, those stations that have them, and are fully or partly crewed by RDS firefighters, are likely to undergo a change in demand that will have an impact on RDS crewing. Changes to training, which is part of the strategy, must also have an impact on RDS crewing.

So that suggests that you are saying the outcome of your assessment is that there will be no impact. If that is the case, there must be documentation supporting that assessment, which should have been provided.

I would add that, as a retired firefighter, with a Mother, several other relatives and friends reliant on fire cover from Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, I have been concerned about these changes. I had hoped that you might provide some documents that would give me some reassurance, but the absence of crucial information, especially risk assessments, and unnecessary redactions in the documents supplied has heightened my concerns. Following your review, I hope to receive the additional information and the previously provided documents without redactions.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...

Yours faithfully,

A.C. Morris

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI)

 

Thank you for your email received on 4 June 2018 regarding our FOI
response of 24 May 2018. 

 

We will now conduct a review and advise you of our decision in due course.
The Information Commissioner states that this should be completed in a
reasonable amount of time, suggesting 20 working days after receipt.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[1]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[2]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook   [5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI)

 

I wanted to keep you up-to-date on the progress of your review.

 

In order to fully examine the detailed documents already provided (and
look at the points you have raised), we need to consult with various key
members of staff, some of which have been unavailable. Therefore we will
require more time to ensure we undertake this in as thorough a manner as
possible.

 

Please accept my apologies for the delay but we will respond as soon as we
can and hopefully by the end of next week.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
[1]Description: Information Officer
Description: Description:
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB t. 01392 87 2220  f. 01392 872300  w.
[2]www.dsfire.gov.uk  [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook   [5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George,
  Exeter. EX3 0NW

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

5 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Thank you for your email of 3 June 2018 when you requested us to review
our FOI response of 24 May 2018.

 

We apologise for the delay but we have now concluded the review and have
set out your points and our decisions and the reasons for them below.

 

Issue raised

Document Redactions

 

Section 40 - The data redacted under this section appears to be the names
of individuals responsible for elements of the significant changes covered
in the documents. They are public employees and should be accountable to
the public for their actions. Showing names alongside responsibilities is
not harmful or unfair, so redacting them simply raises questions about why
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service wants to keep their involvement
secret. I would remind you that the principle behind the Act is to release
information, unless there is a very good reason not to. No good reason has
been shown for these redactions.

 

Section 43 - The data redacted under this section appears to cover
different pieces of information, so I will look at them individually.
However, throughout it appears that the harm claimed is not real, actual
or of substance.

 

1. Tiered Response FBC

 

a)         Pages 1 & 2 – this appears to be redacted names, please see
comment in section 40 above.

b)         Page 9 - redacting the information on this page prevents proper
public scrutiny of the evaluation process. The public, who depend on the
vehicles when they are in trouble, and firefighters who will use them are
entitled to be sure the evaluation was appropriate, fairly applied and
without bias. It is also in the interest of the companies involved to see
that the process has been fair and, for companies that were unsuccessful,
to learn where they need to improve their offering in the future. The
prejudice to commercial interest claimed does not appear genuine, but
appears intended to obstruct public scrutiny.

c)         Pages 32 to 44 - the Commercial Case, Financial Case and
Management Case are fundamental matters of public interest and crucial to
the “closer scrutiny by taxpayers and communities” that Theresa May
expects in relation to the fire & rescue service. Hiding this detail
suggests that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is concerned that the
Commercial, Financial and Management Cases will not hold up to public
scrutiny.

d)         Pages 45 to 57 – this covers project management, including
governance, roles and responsibilities, controls and risk management. The
secrecy for this section is quite worrying, as it suggests that Devon &
Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is not confident that their project
management would stand up to public scrutiny. Devon & Somerset Fire &
Rescue Service is a public body, not a commercial concern, so section 43
does not apply.

e)         Pages 58 and 60 – this appears to be redacted names, please see
comment in section 40 above.

 

Result of Review:

Point a) and e)

Section 40 Personal Data: I have reviewed the names that were redacted
from the document and have removed the redaction of one name Trevor
Stratford which seemed to have been an accidental redaction. Mr Stratford
was Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the time the paper was written and his
name is in the public domain. This is not about keeping identities secret.
Those named were/are not senior employees and are therefore not expected
to be public figures on behalf of the organisation.

 

The second reason for redaction follows the first in that these employees
were not responsible for the decisions made regarding these vehicles. The
Fire and Rescue Authority are responsible for making the decisions
regarding changes such as these and the documents produced for the
Authority on this matter are open for public view. We provided links to
when and how the decisions were made in our original response.

 

Point b) and page 36 of the document

Section 43 – Commercial Confidence. I have reviewed these sections and
have taken advice from our procurement department with regards to the
content that has been redacted under section 43 (advice was taken from
this department when gathering information for your request). I am
satisfied that this exemption has been applied correctly. The information
held contains names of suppliers which are provided in confidence for the
tendering process. Our tender documents state that their details will be
kept in confidence unless they are the successful bid. I also believe this
exemption applies as those organisations that bid for the work will not
want the market to know what contracts they are bidding for and what they
weren’t successful for. This could harm their commercial reputation and
provide bias when bidding for similar work with other organisations. The
name of the winning supplier is public knowledge and was released.

 

Section 43 also applies to the evaluation scores which are redacted. This
is similar to the above argument and releasing evaluation scores could be
harmful for these organisations and could impact on their ability to bid
successfully and without bias in the future. This is a small market place
and competitive for those involved. These bids are for one tender and
these organisations might do something differently for future bids and
releasing our evaluations could bias future work. It could impact on their
reputation and their ability to operate successfully in what is a small
market place. Releasing the scores of unsuccessful bids is not in the
public interest. The process of how we procure goods and services is in
the public interest and we released this information.

 

Point c) and d)

On reviewing the response the remaining sections were only removed as they
weren’t relevant to your request as in they didn’t answer the questions
you had asked and are simply the process we follow for business cases. We
have removed most of the redactions and you can view these documents as
although not relevant to your request they are in the public interest and
free to be shared. Some information that is exempt is in the commercial
interest and the exemption Section 43 applies for the same reasons laid
out above.

Issue raised

2. RIV Full Business Case

 

a)         Pages 1 & 2 – this appears to be redacted names, please see
comment in section 40 above.

b)         Page 3 – there seems to be no justification for redacting the
headings for the options considered under either section 40 or section 43.

c)         Pages 24 to 27 – the advantages, disadvantages and risks are
crucial for effective public scrutiny of the decisions made. It is
important to see that the right choice has been made, that the criteria
used were valid, and to be sure that no bias has been shown towards a
particular option. Looking at the unredacted options 1 and 6, it is clear
that different types and configuration of vehicles, with different
payloads and equipment, were being compared. It was not therefore
comparing how different manufacturers intend to meet a standard
specification, so there should be no commercial sensitivity.

d)         Pages 33 to 37 – these are details of the option recommended,
so are of significant public interest. As the tender process has been
completed, a supplier chosen and the first RIVs delivered, there can be no
commercial reason to redact the detail on these pages.

e)         Pages 41 to 65 – the Commercial Case, Financial Case and
Management Case are fundamental matters of public interest and crucial to
the “closer scrutiny by taxpayers and communities” that the Government
expects from fire authorities. Once again the secrecy evident in these
redactions suggest that Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is
concerned that their decisions will not hold up to public scrutiny.

f)          Page 66 – Annex A is the RIV Contract Award Recommendation
Report and, as the contract has been awarded, there can no longer be any
harm to commercial interests by showing the information in annex A.

 

Result of review

Point a)

Section 40 Personal Data: I have reviewed the names that were redacted
from the document. This is not about keeping their identities secret.
Those named were/are not senior employees and are therefore not expected
to be public figures on behalf of the organisation.

 

The second reason for redaction follows the first in that these employees
were not responsible for the decisions made regarding these vehicles. The
Fire and Rescue Authority are responsible for making the decisions
regarding changes and their decision is open for public view. We provided
links to when and how the decisions were made in our original request.

 

Point b) and c)

I have reviewed this section again with our procurement department and the
reasons for withholding were genuine and believed to be of commercial
interest. However when looked at again and considered the public interest
in light of your request for a review, we believe we can release this
information as it does not contain commercially sensitive information, as
originally thought. The information is our analysis of the vehicles in
terms of whether they fit our requirements. You will notice that these
sections discuss our needs for crewing and how this does not change or
alter crewing levels, in fact is a decider in terms of keeping crewing
levels the same. (This is in response to a point you raise further down
your request for a review).

 

Point d)

I have reviewed the information redacted on pages 33 to 37. I believe the
exemption has been applied correctly. The information contained within
this section is specific measurements, dimensions and technical drawings
that are a trade secret for the winning supplier and if copied could be
detrimental to this business. These are unique designs and are not a
standard manufacture and are therefore of commercial value to this
supplier.

 

Point e)

On reviewing the response the remaining sections were only removed as they
weren’t relevant to your request as in they didn’t answer the questions
you had asked and are simply the process we follow for business cases. We
have removed most of the redactions and you can view these documents as
although not relevant to your request they are in the public interest and
free to be shared. Some information that is exempt is in the commercial
interest and the exemption Section 43 applies for the same reasons laid
out above.

 

Point f)

The annex was not included as a genuine oversight due to the volume of
information received to respond to your request, it was a pdf within a
document. This has been provided in part but does contain some sensitive
commercial information for the winning supplier including their pricing
structure which has been redacted (Section 43).

 

The names of individuals have been redacted from the document (Section
40). This is not about keeping their identities secret. Those named
were/are not senior employees and are therefore not expected to be public
figures on behalf of the organisation.

 

Issue raised

3 Delivery Strategy ISU

 

a)         Page 1 – this appears to be redacted names, please see comment
in section 40 above

b)         Page 5 – this appears to be the locations of the Incident
Support Units, which is a significant matter of public interest that
should not be kept secret from the public who are paying for these
vehicles and who are dependent on Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
for their protection. Section 43 does not apply.

c)         Page 7 – there can be no legitimate reason for redacting the
heading to appendix A. There may also be no legitimate reason for
redacting anything on this page, but until the heading is shown I cannot
determine if the redaction is justified.

d)         Pages 8 to 10 – the inventory of equipment for the Incident
Support Units is a matter of significant public interest. With reduced
equipment on Light Rescue Pumps and Rapid Intervention Vehicles, the
correct equipping of Incident Support Units is vital. As the order for
these vehicles has been placed and the first one delivered, there can be
no risk of harm to any commercial interest by showing the detail on these
pages.

 

Result of review:

Point a)

Section 40 Personal Data: I have reviewed the names that were redacted
from the document. This is not about keeping their identities secret.
Those named were/are not senior employees and are therefore not expected
to be public figures on behalf of the organisation.

 

The second reason for redaction follows the first in that these employees
were not responsible for the decisions made regarding these vehicles. The
Fire and Rescue Authority are responsible for making the decisions
regarding changes such as these and are open for public view. We provided
links to when and how the decisions were made in our original request.

 

Point b) to d)

On reviewing the reasons being withheld I agree with the redaction however
it wasn’t explained properly. This is due to this information being out of
date and misleading. The locations of these vehicles, if they are to be
introduced to the fleet, is yet to be decided (at the time of your
request). The header at page seven refers to the locations on a map which
is now out of date information. I have been informed that this entire
strategy is being reviewed so the information held is out of date. This
also applies to the inventory which is no longer accurate. This will be
available to the public in the future and therefore Section 22
(information intended for future publication) applies. This will be made
public when we know what’s going to be planned for these vehicles.

 

Issue raised

 

Information not provided

 

1.         I requested “copies of all original documents (reports, risk
assessments, trials, studies etc.)”, including on “the risks related to
the replacement of full size, conventional pumping appliances with Light
Rescue Pumps or Rapid Intervention Vehicles”. Your response refers me to
the attached documents. However, the documents do not cover operational
risk assessments or health & safety risk assessments.

 

There have been a number of reports, case studies and guidance documents
from Government departments, the Audit Commission and the Health & Safety
Executive regarding the need for risk assessment for the changes covered
by this FOI request. The reports include such points as needing to
underpin change “with very, very robust evidence before you do it”, and ”
there must be adequate evidence to support and justify any changes
proposed”.

 

Therefore, as a responsible fire & rescue service, I have to assume that
you have carried out generic and specific operational risk assessments,
plus health & safety risk assessments in relation to these changes. Your
own publicity has stated that the fire stations where the Rapid
Intervention Vehicles will be located are being decided on risks and
incident types in that area. So there is no doubt that you hold such
information, you have just failed to provide it.

 

Response to review:

I have further investigated what information is or isn’t held in light of
your request and have been told that the business cases, which have been
provided, contain all the information held about the reasons for
implementing these vehicles, along with the reports which were sent and
approved by the Fire and Rescue Authority.

 

I spoke at length with our Research and Development Team who trialled the
Rapid Intervention Vehicle and they provided a report of their findings
which I have enclosed and apologise for not being able to supply this to
you in your original request.

 

Your request for risk data (you asked for risk assessments for
implementing the vehicles not the data that led to the decision) was not
part of the original request which is why it wasn’t provided in this
response and in the original response.

 

Issue raised

 

2.         I also asked for the intended locations of Light Rescue Pumps
and Rapid Intervention Vehicles, but you have not given me all the
intended locations of Rapid Intervention Vehicles. Section 22 does not
exempt information simply because it has yet to be agreed. The intended
locations must have been considered in order to inform the decision on the
number of vehicles to purchase.

 

Once again, a significant matter of public interest that should not be
kept secret from the public who are paying for these vehicles and who are
dependent on Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service for their protection.
The information can and should be provided, even if it is with a caveat
that intended locations may be subject to minor change. It is not
reasonable in all the circumstances to withhold this information.

 

Result of review:

 

I have reviewed the reasons for withholding this information under Section
22 and I agree with the way the exemption was applied. This information
most certainly will be in the public domain when the Service knows exactly
where they are going to be placed. It is a complex procedure to implement
new vehicles and when we know exactly where they are going we will be
sharing this with the public.

 

Issue raised

 

3.         You have not provided information on “the impact of the above
changes on Retained Duty System crewing at fire stations”. Astonishingly
you have simply said “none”. It is not clear if that means you have no
documentation on this, or if you are claiming that there will be no
impact.

 

I cannot believe that a responsible fire & rescue service will not have
assessed the impact on RDS crewing. For example, with some stations having
to crew an Incident Support Unit, in addition to their firefighting
appliance, there has to be an effect on crewing. Also, with fewer Medium
Rescue Pumps, those stations that have them, and are fully or partly
crewed by RDS firefighters, are likely to undergo a change in demand that
will have an impact on RDS crewing. Changes to training, which is part of
the strategy, must also have an impact on RDS crewing.

 

So that suggests that you are saying the outcome of your assessment is
that there will be no impact. If that is the case, there must be
documentation supporting that assessment, which should have been
provided.   

I would add that, as a retired firefighter, with a Mother, several other
relatives and friends reliant on fire cover from Devon & Somerset Fire &
Rescue Service, I have been concerned about these changes. I had hoped
that you might provide some documents that would give me some reassurance,
but the absence of crucial information, especially risk assessments, and
unnecessary redactions in the documents supplied has heightened my
concerns. Following your review, I hope to receive the additional
information and the previously provided documents without redactions.

 

Result of review:

 

The original response answered your question which was about the impact on
crewing levels. As there is, at the time of writing and when these
business cases written, no planned change to crewing levels no information
to justify crewing levels was produced. The business cases were written to
accommodate the current crewing structure.

 

Any training will be carried out in the usual way and again will not
impact on crewing levels. We don’t understand why you believe modernising
appliances and equipment to meet the risk in our communities will change
the demand. We have offered you the opportunity to come and see our new
vehicles and as you have family in the area if you are ever in our area
the invite is always open. If you would like to come and speak to us,
please call us and we will be more than happy to talk to you direct and
answer your questions.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Officer, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire.
SK9 5AF.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Tieneka Akers

[1]DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB Corporate Communications Manager

t. 01392 872173    m. 07867 141954   

 

 

References

Visible links

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

3 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

In accordance with the ICO Decision Notice of 20 May 2019 regarding your
FOI request of 29 March 2018 and subsequent review, please find attached a
copy of the relevant documents with the final evaluation scores now
disclosed.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Visible links
2. http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/
3. http://twitter.com/dsfireupdates
4. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Devon-Some...
5. http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/YourSafety/Safe...

Dear Freedom Of Information,

Thank you for the latest documents addressing the Information Commissioner's direction regarding evaluation scores. Could you please confirm that the rest of the direction regarding a complete response to question 4 will be complied with shortly?

Yours sincerely,

A.C. Morris

A.C. Morris left an annotation ()

The Information Commissioner ruled that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service breached sections 10 (Time for compliance) and 17 (Refusal of a request) of the FOIA and directed them to provide additional information.

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

A.C. Morris left an annotation ()

As I had concerns about two aspects of the Information Commissioner's decision, the request has now been referred to the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber).

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I should have also added below that DSFRS use the Communities
and Local Government National Generic Risk Assessments as a tool to assist
in drawing up risk assessments to meet the requirements of the Management
of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and this is publicly
available on GOV.UK website [1]here.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[2]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [3]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [4]@DSFireUpdates 
[5]Facebook  
[6]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

As advised below re the ICO Decision Notice about question 4 of your 29
March 2018 FOI request, please find attached the Risk Assessment documents
(x 13) for your perusal. You will see that redactions have been made under
the FOI Absolute Exemption of Section 40 Personal Information (as
explained to you previously) along with any identifying Vehicle
Registration numbers due to National Security.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[7]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [8]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [9]@DSFireUpdates 
[10]Facebook  
[11]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 18 June 2019 09:40
To: 'A.C. Morris' <[12][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[13]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [14]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [15]@DSFireUpdates 
[16]Facebook  
[17]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

7 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

And this one with the remaining 6…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:51
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my earlier email with 13 attachments may have been
too large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 2 smaller
attachments – this one with 7…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[6]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [7]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [8]@DSFireUpdates 
[9]Facebook  
[10]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[11][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

As advised below re the ICO Decision Notice about question 4 of your 29
March 2018 FOI request, please find attached the Risk Assessment documents
(x 13) for your perusal. You will see that redactions have been made under
the FOI Absolute Exemption of Section 40 Personal Information (as
explained to you previously) along with any identifying Vehicle
Registration numbers due to National Security.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[12]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [13]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [14]@DSFireUpdates 
[15]Facebook  
[16]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 18 June 2019 09:40
To: 'A.C. Morris' <[17][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[18]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [19]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [20]@DSFireUpdates 
[21]Facebook  
[22]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

5 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my email with 7 attachments may also have been too
large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 3 smaller
attachments – this one with 4…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:51
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my earlier email with 13 attachments may have been
too large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 2 smaller
attachments – this one with 7…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[6]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [7]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [8]@DSFireUpdates 
[9]Facebook  
[10]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[11][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

As advised below re the ICO Decision Notice about question 4 of your 29
March 2018 FOI request, please find attached the Risk Assessment documents
(x 13) for your perusal. You will see that redactions have been made under
the FOI Absolute Exemption of Section 40 Personal Information (as
explained to you previously) along with any identifying Vehicle
Registration numbers due to National Security.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[12]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [13]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [14]@DSFireUpdates 
[15]Facebook  
[16]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 18 June 2019 09:40
To: 'A.C. Morris' <[17][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[18]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [19]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [20]@DSFireUpdates 
[21]Facebook  
[22]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

2 Attachments

  • Attachment

    image001.jpg

    1K Download

  • Attachment

    AMFOI RIV.27 Rapid Intervention Unit RIU Training Events and Operational Procedures Redacted.pdf

    13.4M Download View as HTML

Dear Mr Morris,

 

This with one…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 17:01
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my email with 7 attachments may also have been too
large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 3 smaller
attachments – this one with 4…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[6]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [7]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [8]@DSFireUpdates 
[9]Facebook  
[10]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:51
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[11][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my earlier email with 13 attachments may have been
too large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 2 smaller
attachments – this one with 7…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[12]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [13]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [14]@DSFireUpdates 
[15]Facebook  
[16]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[17][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

As advised below re the ICO Decision Notice about question 4 of your 29
March 2018 FOI request, please find attached the Risk Assessment documents
(x 13) for your perusal. You will see that redactions have been made under
the FOI Absolute Exemption of Section 40 Personal Information (as
explained to you previously) along with any identifying Vehicle
Registration numbers due to National Security.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[18]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [19]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [20]@DSFireUpdates 
[21]Facebook  
[22]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 18 June 2019 09:40
To: 'A.C. Morris' <[23][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[24]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [25]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [26]@DSFireUpdates 
[27]Facebook  
[28]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

3 Attachments

  • Attachment

    image001.jpg

    1K Download

  • Attachment

    AMFOI RIV.28 Rapid Intervention Vehicle Mobilising Procedures Porlock and Princetown Redacted.pdf

    11.6M Download View as HTML

  • Attachment

    AMFOI RIV.29 RIV pump test review NOISE ASSESSMENT Redacted.pdf

    386K Download View as HTML

Dear Mr Morris,

 

And this (hopefully final email) – with the remaining 2…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 17:02
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

This with one…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[6]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [7]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [8]@DSFireUpdates 
[9]Facebook  
[10]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 17:01
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[11][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my email with 7 attachments may also have been too
large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 3 smaller
attachments – this one with 4…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[12]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [13]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [14]@DSFireUpdates 
[15]Facebook  
[16]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:51
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[17][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: FW: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

Apologies, I believe my earlier email with 13 attachments may have been
too large to send therefore am trying to split it up into 2 smaller
attachments – this one with 7…

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[18]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [19]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [20]@DSFireUpdates 
[21]Facebook  
[22]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 24 June 2019 16:24
To: '[FOI #474322 email]'
<[23][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

As advised below re the ICO Decision Notice about question 4 of your 29
March 2018 FOI request, please find attached the Risk Assessment documents
(x 13) for your perusal. You will see that redactions have been made under
the FOI Absolute Exemption of Section 40 Personal Information (as
explained to you previously) along with any identifying Vehicle
Registration numbers due to National Security.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[24]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [25]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [26]@DSFireUpdates 
[27]Facebook  
[28]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

From: Freedom Of Information
Sent: 18 June 2019 09:40
To: 'A.C. Morris' <[29][FOI #474322 email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 29 March 2018

 

Dear Mr Morris,

 

I can confirm that we are working on complying with the rest of the ICO
Decision Notice regarding question 4 of your 29 March 2018 FOI request.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[30]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [31]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [32]@DSFireUpdates 
[33]Facebook  
[34]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset Fire
& Rescue Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

show quoted sections

Richard Taylor left an annotation ()

The ICO decision notice relating to this request is at:

https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-tak...

A.C. Morris left an annotation ()

I have appealed the Commissioner's decision for two reasons.
1. A document with unjustified redaction seems to have been overlooked by the Commissioner, and
2. There is absolutely no evidence that it was necessary to redact the names of staff who reviewed and approved what they say is a successful project. The "it would be very likely to cause distress to the individuals involved or have an unfair impact on them" claim is nonsense.

I should also mention that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have not fully complied with the Commissioner's direction. That aspect has been referred back to the ICO.

Freedom Of Information, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

3 Attachments

Dear Mr Morris,

 

In accordance with the ICO Decision Notice of 20 May 2019 regarding your
FOI request of 29 March 2018 and subsequent review, please find attached
two final documents that we have located which we believe to be in scope
of your question 4:

The risks related to the replacement of full size, conventional pumping
appliances with Light Rescue Pumps or Rapid Intervention Vehicles.

Apologies for the further delay.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Wendy Richmond
Information Officer

[1]Description: t. 01392 87 2220  f.
Description: Description: 01392 872300  w.
DSFRS-FULL-COLOUR-BADGE_RGB [2]www.dsfire.gov.uk
 [3]@DSFireUpdates 
[4]Facebook  
[5]Think Sprinkler
Devon & Somerset
Fire & Rescue
Service,
Headquarters, The
  Knowle, Clyst St
George, Exeter. EX3
0NW

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

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