Progress report May 2026: fire and rescue services
Published 20 May 2026
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Recommendations 29 and 30
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 113.51 | In progress | Government | In principle |
| 30 | 113.53 | In progress | Government | In principle |
Recommendations
29: That the government establish [an independent College of Fire and Rescue] immediately with sufficient resources to provide the following services nationally:
- practical training at all levels supplementary to that provided by individual fire and rescue services
- education in the form of lectures and seminars on different aspects of the work of the fire and rescue services in order to share experience and promote good practice
- research into matters that may affect the work of the fire and rescue services, including major fires
- the development of equipment, policies and procedures suitable for ensuring the effectiveness of fire and rescue services nationally and the safety of firefighters and the public
- setting and maintaining national standards of managerial competence for senior managers, including control room managers, and providing management training for, and regular assessment of, senior ranks by reference to such standards.
30: That [the college] should have a permanent staff of sufficient size to manage its operations and develop its functions in response to the demands of fire and rescue services nationally and the requirements of the board. The college will need access to permanent facilities, including facilities for practical training and education. We envisage that much of the training and education will be delivered and led by firefighters of suitable experience drawn as the occasion requires from fire and rescue services around the country.
What we committed to doing
We recognise the importance of making sure that fire and rescue services are appropriately trained and that high standards are maintained. The creation of a college was also recommended in His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) 2023 spotlight report on values and culture in fire and rescue services as a means of tackling challenges in these areas.
Establishing a college will require primary legislation and consultation is the necessary first step. From summer 2025, we will consult on the most appropriate functions for the college to fulfil and how it could best be structured and delivered, including consideration of all the functions recommended by the Inquiry. Engaging with and hearing from a wide range of people and organisations will strengthen our proposals.
An early priority will be to agree with sector partners the real-world outcomes that a successful college would deliver, to inform all further work.
These recommendations will be complete when
A solution is set up to deliver the aims, functions and outcomes identified through the upcoming consultation on a college of fire and rescue. It will aim to deliver these functions to organisations across the fire and rescue sector.
What we have done
Alongside this progress report, we have launched a public consultation on the establishment of a new college of fire and rescue. The consultation sets out several potential areas where the college could offer tangible benefits for the fire and rescue sector and the public: these are leadership and command, recruitment and training, national standards, research and data, culture and integrity, health and wellbeing and assurance. These potential functions build on the Inquiry’s recommendations and include areas where we could go further to fully grasp the opportunities that the establishment of a college could offer. The consultation also invites feedback regarding the most appropriate delivery and funding models for the college.
Responsible department
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Responsible person
Peter Lee, Director, Fire Policy
Recommendations 31, 32 and 33
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 113.55 | Complete | HMICFRS | In full |
| 32 | 113.56 | Complete | HMICFRS | In full |
| 33 | 113.57 | Complete | HMICFRS | In full |
Recommendations
31: That His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (“the Inspectorate”) inspect the London Fire Brigade as soon as reasonably possible to assess and report on:
- the extent to which the control room is now integrated into the organisation
- the effectiveness of the arrangements for identifying the training needs of control room staff, delivering effective training and recording its outcomes
- the effectiveness of the control room generally
- the ability of the control room to handle a large number of concurrent requests for advice and assistance from people directly affected by fires or other emergencies
- the quality and effectiveness of the arrangements for communication between the control room and the incident commander.
32: That as soon as reasonably possible the Inspectorate inspect the London Fire Brigade to examine and report on the arrangements it has in place for assessing the training of incident commanders at all levels and their continuing competence, whether by a process of revalidation or otherwise.
33: That as soon as reasonably practicable the Inspectorate inspect the LFB to examine and report on its arrangements for collecting, storing and distributing information in accordance with section 7(2)(d) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, and in particular its arrangements for identifying high-risk residential buildings and collecting, storing and distributing information relating to them.
What we committed to doing
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) most recently inspected London Fire Brigade in February 2024 on their effectiveness, efficiency and people management. The findings were published in November 2024.
Overall, HMICFRS found that London Fire Brigade had made significant improvements in their performance since their previous inspection in January 2022. London Fire Brigade has improved its understanding of risk, continues to respond quickly to fires and is seen as outstanding in responding to major and multi-agency incidents.
These recommendations will be complete when
31: All relevant parties – the inspectorate, MHCLG officials and ministers - have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.
32: All relevant parties – the inspectorate, MHCLG officials and ministers - have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.
33: Ministers have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.
What we have done
These recommendations are complete and have been fully discharged.
Recommendation 34
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 113.58 | In progress | London Fire Brigade (LFB) | In full |
Recommendation
That the London Fire Brigade establish effective standing arrangements for collecting, considering and effectively implementing lessons learned from previous incidents, inquests and investigations. Those arrangements should be as simple as possible, flexible and of a kind that will ensure that any appropriate changes in practice or procedure are implemented speedily.
What we committed to doing
London Fire Brigade is committed to ensuring lessons from incidents are learned from and good practice is shared across the organisation and with key agencies.
This recommendation will be complete when
It is aligned to the adoption and assurance of LFB’s updated Operational Learning Policy.
What we have done
The London Fire Brigade (LFB)
London Fire Brigade (LFB) has reviewed and published its revised organisational learning processes and has completed its internal and external assurance activities to satisfy itself that the improvements are embedded and sustainable. A consolidated report setting out the assurance activities and their outcomes will be presented for approval to the London Fire Commissioner by the end of June 2026, after which LFB will declare recommendation 34 (113.58) as completed.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
From an NFCC perspective, this recommendation is complete. The actions that NFCC committed to deliver have been completed. Specifically, the Organisational Learning Good Practice Guide has been published, and an interim Organisational Learning Library has been set up on the NFCC website. Development of a more sophisticated solution has been written into the NFCC Business Plan for 2026/27.
Recommendations 35 and 36
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 113.59 | In progress | Fire and rescue services (FRS) | In full |
| 36 | 113.60 | In progress | Fire and rescue services (FRS) | In full |
Recommendation
35: That fire and rescue services that continue to use low power intrinsically safe radios as part of breathing apparatus consider reserving them only for situations in which there is a real risk of igniting flammable gases and generally using radios of higher power, particularly in high-rise buildings.
36: That all fire and rescue services give consideration to providing all firefighters with digital radios.
What we committed to doing
The NFCC is surveying fire and rescue services to understand what arrangements are currently in place at a local level and what national support could be put in place to support services to meet this recommendation.
The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
These recommendations will be complete when
The NFCC has engaged with fire and rescue services regarding their radio provision, and supplemented this understanding with learning cases and feedback on radio performance in operational environments.
What we have done
Since the February Annual Report, workshops have been delivered to five more services. 19 services have now taken part in these Inquiry related workshops which cover radios, communication, incident command, fire control and operational assurance. We are on track to have delivered workshops to all services by the end of 2026.
Recommendation 37
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 113.61 | In progress | Fire and rescue services (FRS) | In full |
Recommendation
Since radio communications are inherently unreliable in certain environments, we recommend that firefighters be trained to respond appropriately to the loss of communications and to understand how to restore them.
What we committed to doing
The NFCC has reviewed the content of national operational guidance and is surveying fire and rescue services to establish what additional measures could be provided to support awareness and training on how to respond to a loss of communications.
The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
This recommendation will be complete when
Operational guidance concerning radios and mitigating loss of communications is updated and published, and appropriate training materials and support are provided on FRS Learn and via the NFCC Implementation team.
What we have done
Since the February Annual Report, the review of the national guidance by a fire and rescue service specialist has continued. Publication of the amended guidance had been expected to take place by 30 June 2026 but due to the timing of National Fire Chiefs Council governance meetings, publication is now expected by 17 July 2026. Supplementary materials in the form of “micro-learns,” concise, targeted learning modules, to support the guidance are being developed and are expected to be released by June 2026. In the meantime, 19 services have taken part in Inquiry related workshops which cover radios, communication, incident command, fire control and operational assurance.
Recommendation 38
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 113.62 | In progress | Fire and rescue services (FRS) | In full |
Recommendation
That basic training on the structure and operation of the water supply system, including the different types of hydrants in use and their functions, be given to all firefighters. Training should also be given on effective measures to increase water flow and pressure when necessary.
What we committed to doing
The NFCC has reviewed the national operational guidance and is surveying fire and rescue services to establish what additional measures could be provided to support awareness and training on the water supply system.
The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
This recommendation will be complete when
Operational guidance concerning the water supply system, hydrant use, and increasing water flow and pressure is updated and published, and appropriate training materials are provided on FRS Learn.
What we have done
Since the February Annual Report, the learning materials provided by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) have been uploaded to FRS Learn. A series of “micro learn,” concise, targeted learning modules, content has been developed and was expected to be published by the end of March 2026. Unfortunately, due to the lack of learning materials provided by services, the development of this new content has taken longer than expected. Publication is now expected by June 2026.
Recommendation 39
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 113.63 | Complete | Fire and rescue services (FRS) | In full |
Recommendation
That all fire and rescue services establish and periodically review an agreed protocol with the statutory water undertakers in their areas to enable effective communication between them in relation to the supply of water for firefighting purposes.
What we committed to doing
The NFCC and fire service lead officers for water are discussing with water undertakers how to strengthen existing arrangements and with Ofwat to identify potential improvements to the interactions between services and water undertakers.
The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
This recommendation will be complete when
A template outlining the standard elements to be included in protocols between water undertakers and Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) is incorporated into industry guidance; once agreement is reached on whether future guidance should be jointly badged by the NFCC; and following further engagement with Ofwat (or its successor) to continue raising awareness of the challenges faced by FRSs and to support positive change.
What we have done
This recommendation is now complete and has been fully discharged.
Recommendation 40
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 113.64 | In progress | British Standards Institution (BSI) | In full |
Recommendation
That the British Standards Institution amend BS 750 to include a description of the circumstances under which the flow coefficient to which it refers in paragraph 10.2 is to be measured.
What we committed to doing
It will amend BS 750 accordingly and expect to publish the revised standard, following the usual standards development process and a period of public consultation, towards the end of 2025.
This recommendation will be complete when
The amendment is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and the requirements can be implemented in the marketplace. This will happen once the proposed amendments have been drafted, and the text has been through the public consultation stages as required, likely around the end of 2025.
What we have done
The draft text of the amendment was issued for public consultation on 13 February and the consultation period closed on 13 April. The drafting panel is now reviewing and addressing all comments received. At present we are on course to publish the amendment during Q2 (April to June) 2026.
Recommendation 41
| Recommendation number | Inquiry reference | Status | Responsibility | Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 113.65 | In progress | The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) | In full |
Recommendation
That National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) consider whether, and if so in what circumstances, firefighters should be discouraged from departing from their instructions on their own initiative and provide appropriate training in how to respond to a situation of that kind.
What we committed to doing
Firefighters operate in an extremely high-risk and dynamic environment where responding to changes is essential to safe working practice. The ability to communicate changes in the operating environment, in real time, and the need to deviate from objectives at times, is essential.
The NFCC has reviewed existing relevant guidance on the briefing and debriefing of crews and is surveying fire and rescue services to determine what additional measures might support awareness and training in this area.
The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
This recommendation will be complete when
Operational guidance relating to decision-making for non-commanders has been reviewed, updated if necessary, and published, and learning materials to support firefighters to achieve operational objectives have been developed and shared with fire and rescue services, and provided on FRS Learn.
What we have done
Since the February Annual Report, the newly drafted hazard and control measures have been presented at the relevant NFCC governance meetings for review and feedback. Publication is on track by June 2026 as the new guidance is expected to be signed off at the Operational Preparedness, Response and Resilience Committee on 16 April 2026.