Request
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please could you provide me with information (emailed to me) with regard to how your organization addressed above, dealt with certain matters during the Covid 19-Pandemic.
*Personnel refers to organizational employed personnel.
**Non-operational vehicles refers to non-blue light response vehicles owned or leased by the organization.
***Level of PPE - respiratory and/or eye protection and IMPORTANTLY the grade of PPE specified e.g. in the case of respiratory protection ‘Workwear or FFP1 or FFP2 or FFP3 grade masks.
****Operational vehicles refers to blue-light response vehicles owned or leased by theorganization
In relation to personnel*, traveling within NON-operation vehicles**:
1. Were personnel prohibited from traveling together in a vehicle at any period during the Covid pandemic?
2. If so, during what date period had this prohibition taken effect?
3. Were personnel permitted to travel together in a vehicle at any period during the Covid pandemic?
4. If so, were personnel required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while traveling together in a vehicle?
5. If answer to Q4 is YES, during which date period had the PPE been required?
6. What level of PPE*** was specified for occupants traveling together in a vehicle?
7. Was the requirement to wear PPE, mandatory or advisory?
In relation to personnel*, traveling within OPERATIONAL vehicles****:
8. Were employees permitted to travel together in operational-vehicles****, (in particular Fire Engines) at any period during the Covid pandemic?
9. If so, were personnel required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while traveling together in a vehicle during any period within the Covid pandemic?
10. If answer to Q9 is YES - what level of PPE*** was specified for occupants within a vehicle?
11. Was the requirement to wear PPE mandatory or advisory?
12. In relation to Q9 above - during what date period had the PPE requirements been in place?
Response
Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
We can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service does hold the information you have requested.
Questions and final response:
Could you provide me with information (emailed to me) with regard to how your organization addressed above, dealt with certain matters during the Covid 19-Pandemic. In relation to personnel*, traveling within NON-operation vehicles**
Question 1 – Were personnel prohibited from traveling together in a vehicle at any period during the Covid pandemic?
Yes, for non-essential travel, but limited to two persons where travel together could not be avoided.
Question 2 – If so, during what date period had this prohibition taken effect?
12/04/2020 - 31/03/2022.
Question 3 –Were personnel permitted to travel together in a vehicle at any period during the Covid pandemic?
Yes, limited to two persons, where travel together could not be avoided.
Question 4 – If so, were personnel required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while traveling together in a vehicle?
Yes.
Question 5 – If answer to Q4 is YES, during which date period had the PPE been required?
12/04/2020 - 31/03/2022
Question 6 – What level of PPE*** was specified for occupants traveling together in a vehicle?
PPE control measures in place were use of FFP3 mask, vehicle ventilation i.e., open window.
Question 7 – Was the requirement to wear PPE, mandatory or advisory?
Mandatory.
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In relation to personnel*, traveling within OPERATIONAL vehicles.
Question 8 - Were employees permitted to travel together in operational vehicles****, (in particular Fire Engines) at any period during the Covid pandemic?
Yes, crew numbers were reduced to a maximum of four.
Question 9 – If so, were personnel required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while traveling together in a vehicle during any period within the Covid pandemic?
Yes.
Question 10 – If answer to Q9 is YES - what level of PPE*** was specified for occupants within a vehicle?
FFP3 mask, nitrile gloves, eye protection, plastic apron, firefighting PPE.
Question 11 – Was the requirement to wear PPE mandatory or advisory?
Mandatory.
Question 12 – . In relation to Q9 above - during what date period had the PPE requirements been in place?
12/04/2020 - 31/03/2022.
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Incident and other data is published on our transparency site. Incident Data (essexfire.gov.uk) .
Please note that the response and data released to you as part of this request will be published on our website http://transparency.essex-fire.gov.uk/.
All requests will be anonymised and no personal information including contact details will be disclosed as part of this process.
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Thank you for your interest in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, we hope this satisfies your request.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to apply for an internal review.
Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of your original email and should be sent to informationgovernance@essex-fire.gov.uk or sent to our postal address: Internal Review, System & Data Information Governance Team, Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex CM8 3HB.
Please ensure you quote the above reference number in all future communications