Policy paper

Progress report: fire and rescue services

Published 29 May 2025

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

29: 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. 

30: See recommendation 29. This will be captured by the consultation on the most appropriate functions for the college to fulfil and how it could best be structured and delivered.

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

Later this year, we are planning to run a public consultation to gather views on what a college of fire and rescue could look like. This will cover what it could be responsible for, how it could be set up and how it could be funded. We are currently working with people and organisations across the fire and rescue sector to develop the ideas that will be included in the consultation. For example, in March 2025, ministers met with stakeholders from across the sector to talk about what the aims of a successful college should be.

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Recommendation 31

Recommendation number	Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
31	113.55	In progress	Government	In full

Recommendation

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. (113.55)

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.

This recommendation will be complete when

When all relevant parties – the inspectorate, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials and ministers - have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.

What we have done

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have looked to address the three Inquiry recommendations directed at them through their most recent inspection of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) (findings published in November 2024). In HMICFRS’ view their existing Round 3 inspection methodology covers the three areas covered by the recommendations: control rooms, incident commanders and operational planning. LFB also believes that it has made significant progress in these areas. 

Fire officials are currently working to evaluate recommendation 31 (control room processes) to ascertain whether this has been fully discharged.  Once we have resolved and concluded our assessment with all key parties, the progress made against this recommendation will be considered by ministers before it can be formally closed.

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Recommendation 32

Recommendation number	Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
32	113.56	In progress	Government	In full

Recommendation

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. (113.56)

What we committed to doing

See recommendation 31.

This recommendation will be complete when

When all relevant parties – the inspectorate, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government MHCLG (officials) and ministers - have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.

What we have done

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have looked to address the three Inquiry recommendations directed at them through their most recent inspection of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) (findings published in November 2024). In HMICFRS’ view their existing Round 3 inspection methodology covers the three areas covered by the recommendations: control rooms, incident commanders and operational planning. LFB also believes that it has made significant progress in these areas. 

Fire officials are currently working to evaluate recommendation 32 (LFB’s incident command) to ascertain whether this has been fully discharged.  Once we have resolved and concluded our assessment with all key parties, the progress made against this recommendation will be considered by ministers before it can be formally closed.

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Recommendation 33

Recommendation number	Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
33	113.57	In progress	Government	In full

Recommendation

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 (113.57)

What we committed to doing

See recommendation 31.

This recommendation will be complete when

When ministers have considered evidence related to this recommendation and are satisfied that the recommendation has been fully met.

What we have done

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have looked to address the three Inquiry recommendations directed at them through their most recent inspection of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) (findings published in November 2024). In HMICFRS’ view their existing Round 3 inspection methodology covers the three areas covered by the recommendations: control rooms, incident commanders and operational planning.  

After examining, reviewing and evaluating HMICFRS’s LFB inspection report, and following discussion with HMICFRS officials, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials agree that recommendation 33 (HMICFRS review of high-risk building information procedures) has been met.  This conclusion will be tested with ministers before the recommendation can be formally closed.

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Recommendations 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 41

Recommendation number	Inquiry reference	Status	Responsibility	Accepted
34	113.58	In progress	London Fire Brigade (LFB)	In full
35	113.59	In progress	Fire and rescue services (FRS)	In full
36	113.60	In progress	Fire and rescue services (FRS)	In full
37	113.61	In progress	Fire and rescue services (FRS)	In full
38	113.62	In progress	Fire and rescue services (FRS)	In full
39	113.63	In progress	Fire and rescue services (FRS)	In full
41	113.65	In progress	National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)	In full

Recommendations

34: 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. 

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. 

37: 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. 

38: 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. 

39: 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. 

41: 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

34: 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. 

The collection of learning and data from operational incidents has been improved, with a move towards a more open and supportive approach with regard to learning, which reflects best practice from other sectors such as health and aviation. 

Significant and major incidents are prioritised for the purposes of learning, so that information is shared with staff as quickly as possible, should similar incidents occur again. 

The Brigade has introduced a new bulletin, Operational News Flash, to promptly provide risk critical information direct to operational staff that also separates need-to-know from the nice-to-know in relation to operational learning and identifies operational risks. 

35: 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. 

36: See recommendation 35.

37: 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.

38: 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.

39: 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. 

41: 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. 

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.

These recommendations will be complete when

Metrics for completion will be set out once the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) action and delivery plan is finalised. Once finalised, we will update this to provide further clarification.

What we have done

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) developed an action and delivery plan in April, which will be shared more widely with key stakeholders by the end of May. To inform this plan, NFCC have surveyed fire and rescue services (FRS) to establish a baseline position for FRS regarding the recommendations. NFCC are currently assessing responses to determine where there are gaps and need for support.

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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

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

A drafting panel of experts has been formed to undertake the revision work. The recommendation from the Inquiry has been accepted and agreed. The panel took the opportunity to agree some additional, unrelated changes to the standard as part of discussions around the proposed scope.  

BSI’s Content Development team will be meeting with the panel during May 2025 to commence drafting the proposed new wording as well as agreeing the likely timescale for a draft for public consultation to be issued.

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