Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All,
Need a bit of help with this one. To what level should a fire response team be trained? and what length of time should the training session last?
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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WeeeLLLL - that would depend entirely on what you would expect the fire response team to be doing when they "respond". Are they actually fighting the fire for example.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Are you based in the London area by any chance?
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Rank: Forum user
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Yes, based in West London
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Rank: Super forum user
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Is this something to do with the possible fire strike?
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think the answer to my last question must be Yes.
"Hospital Boy" are you working in a hospital? If so you should firstly be practising your evacuation procedures to ensure everyone can follow the required route, I know hospitals do not empty on hearing the fire alarm but there will be a procedure to follow.
Personnel required to assist in an emergency should know how to use an extinguisher and also the right type to use.
Casualty handling will be important.
You should be contacting the fire brigade to find out what they are planning to do in case of a call to your premises but do not rely on the normal first attendance because it will not arrive. Find out what they require of you?
There may be enough time to enrol some of your people on a fire fighting course run by the brigade, they will be able to fight real fires at their training centre, but that would be urgent as it looks likely the first strike will be early November.
Judging by your initial question you are unsure so enlist professional help.
Good luck.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Being a hospital or a large organisation I expect there is such a thing as a business continuity plan (BCP) that for historical reasons would likely already be completed and tested?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Chris: I have met H/boy on a number of occasions and confirm he is very able. I think he is wise to consider making additional measures including a response team and if this is not usual practice at his place of work, why not come on here and ask what others do?
I am also involved in making similar arrangements as the emergency cover arrangements in London will be worse than minimal. They involve the use of 27 pumps with minimally trained crews and managers from a security company. There will be limited breathing apparatus and no aerial or special appliances.
Only one pump will be dispatched - even to a Hospital and only to fires. Chemical spills & lift incidents will not be attended. During peak times (esp in the day) demand is likely to outstrip resources so some awaiting an emergency response may have to join a queue.
If that is not enough to cause anxieties in those in high risk environments such as hospitals (and make them consider extra control measures) then they are in the wrong job!!
MB1 - Have you worked in the NHS? A workable and maintained BCP!?!! I doubt it!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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messeyshaw you appear to be having a go at me? I wonder why?
I have tried to assist by throwing in a few morsels off the top of my head, you guessed right I have not worked in the NHS but have been a serving fire service officer with experience of many fire incidents in hospitals.
I once interviewed successfully for a fire officer job at a large hospital trust in Merseyside and was offered the position so must have proved some knowledge of the fire codes, evacuation techniques etc. I declined as they moved the goal posts between the interview and the job offer. They made the position part time which I though ridiculous at the time. Soon had a change of heart and kept the position full time but I had decided and went elsewhere.
As an ex FBU member I have sympathy for those potential strikers in London, that will not affect my professional capacity for good quality health and fire safety and that will always come first.
It is sad to see only 27 fire appliances available and as you say manned by inexperienced security personnel.
The troops with green goddesses were bad enough but there now appears to be something worse.
That is not a criticism of out wonderful armed forces but a slant at the antiquated equipment and fire fighting methods employed during previous disputes.
Who would want to live in London during the possible forthcoming dispute?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Chris - I apologise if that's how my post reads. It was not my intention to have a go at you whatsoever, but after re reading it, I can see it could be interpreted that way.
My question about working in the NHS was a tongue in cheek remark to MB1 relating to the assumption that a NHS Trust would have up to date/workable & rehearsed business continuity arrangements in place - especially to cover the non availability of the LFB. In my experience, that is unlikely to be the case in most Trusts.
As for living in London during the dispute, I am also ex LFB/FBU. I both live in the capital and am responsible for a number of sites where fire safety is risk critical to the processes carried on. The thought that (at peak times) it is very likely that absolutely no fire appliances will be available within London and a caller queuing system will be in place- worries me to death. I am cancelling 90% of my engagements next week to plan & instigate emergency arrangements.
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