Ref: FOI/20092
RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST
I am writing to confirm that the West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information you requested further to your freedom of information request.
Please find below a summary of our findings.
Request
The number of vehicles in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet that can be dispatched to incidents in the B30 postcode area and the vehicle type.
Reply
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has a range of vehicles to resolve an extensive range of incidents that may occur within the West Midlands and the B30 postcode code area. Dependant on the nature of the incident WMFS would deploy the most appropriate vehicle/s to resolve the incident as safely and efficiently as possible. This includes all of the WMFS vehicles. A full list is at the following link https://www.wmfs.net/foi-entry/20076-fleet-list/
Request
The number of vehicles in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet that may transit through the B30 postcode area and the vehicle type.
Reply
WMFS has a range of vehicles travelling through the West Midlands and the B30 postcode daily. This will include vehicles on Blue Light response and vehicles travelling at normal road speeds. The dynamic nature of our work means that our vehicles are constantly moving ensuring that the services we provide to the communities within the West Midlands are done so in most effective and efficient manner. As a result all WMFS vehicles could transit through the B30 postcode area.
Request
The number of vehicles in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet that carry keys for the trial Low Traffic Neighbourhood bollards (by vehicle type) implemented in the B30 postcode area (Franklin Road and Oak Tree Lane) under the ‘Birmingham Emergency Transport Scheme’ –https://covidmeasuresbirmingham.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/bournville-places-for-people/details And the date that these keys were put into each vehicle.
Total number of keys held by West Midlands Fire Service suited to unlocking bollard mentioned in previously referred to Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme and date these keys were obtained.
Reply
Currently there are no vehicles in the WMFS fleet that carry keys to the bollards for the trial Low Traffic Neighbourhood bollards in the B30 postcode area.
Request
The cost incurred by West Midlands Fire Service for procuring and implementing keys for previously referred to bollards implemented in the trial Low Traffic Neighbourhood.
Reply
Not applicable
Request
Predicted future costs to West Midlands Fire Service for procuring and implementing keys for previously referred to bollards if scheme is retained or widened.
Reply
This information is exempt under section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as we do not hold this information. We are unable to predicted future costs to West Midlands Fire Service for procuring and implementing keys to bollards if scheme is retained or widened as this is unknown
Request
The minimum required space dimensions for each vehicle type in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet to safely access a road or property.
Reply
Please see listed Dimensions of WMFS response Vehicles:
Volvo Fire Appliance Coach
Length 8100mm Length 11998mm
Height 3300mm Height 3385mm
Width 2850mm Width 2500mm
Sabre Fire Appliance Minibus
Length 7950mm Length 6950mm
Height 3250mm Height 2750mm
Width 2430mm Width 2550mm
Hydraulic platform Ford Transit Connect
Length 10120mm Length 4825mm
Height 3580mm Height 1880mm
Width 2950mm Width 2137mm
Prime Mover Vauxhall Combi Van
Length 8200mm Length 4322mm
Height 3300mm Height 1901mm
Width 2240mm Width 1892mm
Incident Support Unit Ford Transit
Length 10500mm Length 5428mm
Height 3700mm Height 2529mm
Width 2550mm Width 1974mm
Brigade response Vehicle (BRV)
Length 5260mm
Height 2060mm
Width 2130mm
Request
The recommended space dimensions for each vehicle type in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet to safely access a road or property including those referred to in any training provided to WMFS employees or affiliated service providers.
Reply
A Fire appliance (PRL), Hydraulic Platform or Prime Mover would require about 30-40cm extra to pass through safely, as this would leave approx 15-20cm on each side for any slight steering required. Smaller vehicles such as cars/vans would require less space, approx 10-15cm on both sides.
If turning either to the left or right, the space required will vary dependant on the turning circle for each vehicle. For instance, turning into a smaller road/entrance, a larger vehicle may need to use more space on approach, especially when turning left, which is why larger vehicles may move slightly to the right before turning left.
Request
Any recommendation or guidance on reversing distances for vehicles in the West Midlands Fire Service fleet including those referred to in any training provided to WMFS employees or affiliated service providers.
Reply
We do not have any stipulation on reversing distances. However, within our Management of Road Risk Policy all operational personnel are required to complete and pass our on-line ‘Slow-Speed Manoeuvring’ training.
WMFS policy requires that a driver is to have a pilot (banksman) in place before completing any slow-speed manoeuvring, they may have more than one ‘pilot’ if necessary. This is relevant to moving forwards too, and not just when reversing. There is a set of recognised hand signals which are used by the pilot to inform a driver if they are required to stop or change direction of steering.
Request
Details of all West Midlands Fire Service communication to staff or affiliated service providers relating to access to previously referred to Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme areas.
Reply
Please see attached
| FOI20092 1 | 1.0 | Download |
| FOI20092 2 | 1.0 | Download |
| FOI20092 3 | 1.0 | Download |
Request
Details of any impact assessments carried out in relation to the implementation of the previously referred to Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme at all stages by West Midlands Fire Service.
Reply
This information is exempt under section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as we do not hold this information.
In most cases Council’s propose schemes to reduce accidents and injuries on the roads complements our Prevention workstreams rather than reliance on our operational response. If a proposed scheme raises serious concerns regarding our ability to respond to an incident in a timely fashion these objections are lodged through the reporting channels within the proposal for consideration before the proposal is approved or declined. These judgements can be made from data analysis focussing on the area of the proposal and location of our stations. These judgements are made much harder to determine due to the shift in the nature of our work over the years to incorporate both our Protection and Prevention activities to complement our Response work. This means our resources are far often more mobile within the West Midlands meaning time at station has seen a reduction and therefore making judgements more difficult.
Request
Any details West Midlands Fire Service have been provided with relating to the dimensions at each of the previously mentioned bollards (Franklin Road & Oak Tree Lane) prior to implementation, during implementation and following any changes made to the installations and dates of any of these notifications.
Reply
Please see attached
| Oak Tree Lane | 1.0 | Download |
| Franklin Road | 1.0 | Download |
| Bournville PfP notifications of works letter | 1.0 | Download |
| Bournville Franklin Road simple plan | 1.0 | Download |
| Bournville Franklin Road simple plan2 | 1.0 | Download |
If you have any queries about this Freedom of Information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW
Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.
