Atal Tân/Firebrake

SUMMARY:

Members will recall that Atal Tân/Firebrake is a charitable fire safety trust working in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities. Its key objective is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries through fire related incidents in Wales by public education, promotional activity and research. Atal Tân/Firebrake has also assumed responsibility for the organisation of the biennial Walesfire conference. Some Members will recall that the Chief Executive of the organisation, Mr Antony Feasey, attended a meeting of the Authority in May 2004 and made a comprehensive presentation on the work of the Trust. Members have also recently received a copy of Atal Tân/Firebrake’s Newsletter.

The Authority in conjunction with the two other Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government have supported the Trust since its inception both financially and with the provision of Trustees, namely, currently the Chair of the Authority and the Chief Fire Officer. Initial costs to fund the Trust were shared between the Welsh Assembly Government and the three Fire and Rescue Authorities in Wales. The Assembly provided £100k of the initial total cost estimate with the remainder being shared between the three fire and rescue authorities for a three year period commencing in 2002. That three year period has now come to an end and this Authority is asked to consider renewing the commitment to Atal Tân/Fire Brake for a further period of three years.

In order to assist the Authority in its deliberations, an independent review of the work undertaken by Atal Tân/Firebrake was undertaken in 2004. The review revisited the initial feasibility study and interviewed a number of key players operating within the community fire safety field. In general, the report concluded that the Trust had made a very positive contribution and highlighted areas for further development. Positive achievements included the implementation of successful and cost-effective awareness raising campaigns and raising the profile of community fire safety. Further work now needs to be undertaken in areas such as research.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Members continue to support Atal Tân/Firebrake with the provision of Trustees and a financial contribution of £35k for a further period of three years.

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT:

Finance and General Purposes Report : April 2002
Review of Firebrake Wales / Atal Tân Cymru 2004 : Executive Summary