- Robust reforms to fire safety across England introduced to
strengthen fire and rescue services
- New regulations puts the majority of the Grenfell Tower
Inquiry recommendations into law
- New measures will ensure people are safe in their homes and
places of work
The most comprehensive plans for fire reform in decades have been
set out today in the government’s Fire Reform White Paper, which
will help strengthen the emergency services and seek to ensure
people feel safer in their homes.
Today (18 May), the Home Secretary visited Old Kent Road fire
station alongside the Minister of State for Building Safety and
Fire to announce the package which will build upon changes
following the Grenfell Tower fire and findings from independent
inspection reports.
The changes announced include the commencement of the Fire Safety
Act 2021 which will make sure all blocks of flats are properly
assessed for fire safety risks and the Fire Safety (England)
Regulations 2022 which will help ensure people feel safe in their
homes.
At the centre of the White Paper are plans to deliver:
- Increased public safety: by improving the professionalism of
the fire and rescue service through modern workforce practices
and potentially establishing a College of Fire and Rescue.
- Improved accountability: through the proposals to transfer
fire governance to a single elected individual, overseeing
delivery by operationally independent Chief Fire Officers.
- Better engagement with the public: through the 10-week
consultation the government will listen to the views of the
public and stakeholders, after which it will finalise its reform
programme.
Home Secretary said:
The government’s priority is keeping the public safe and the
reforms we’ve set out today will strengthen and support our
hard-working fire and rescue services.
The White Paper will be transformative in how firefighters are
trained and will enable fire and rescue services to build on
their strengths and leadership.
The Grenfell tragedy must never happen again and we are
continuing to drive forward progress on putting the Grenfell
Tower Inquiry recommendations into law.
Fire Minister said:
I am delighted to introduce this comprehensive reform plan for
our fire and rescue services and improvements to fire safety.
The Grenfell Inquiry and independent inspections show reform is
needed and we are tackling issues head on with this White Paper.
Fire professionals step up to protect and serve their communities
and it is only right that they have the right tools to do their
jobs effectively.
There has been a legacy of reform to improve the efficiency,
effectiveness and culture of fire and rescues services over
recent years, such as increased focus on and funding for fire
protection and helping services across England to respond to the
lessons highlighted by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Building on this, the Home Secretary also announced the
commencement of the Fire Safety Act, and the launch of the Fire
Safety (England) Regulations 2022. These legislative changes pave
the way for meeting many of the remaining Grenfell Tower Inquiry
recommendations and will deliver fire safety improvements in
multi-occupied residential buildings such as ensuring that fire
and rescue services have the information they need to plan their
response to a fire in a high-rise building and imposing a minimum
frequency for checks on all fire doors in mid and high-rise
blocks of flats.
Additionally, the government has responded to the Personal
Emergency Evacuation Plans consultation and has launched a new
consultation on its alternative package of proposals to support
the fire safety of residents whose ability to self-evacuate may
be compromised.
This includes a new proposal known as “Emergency Evacuation
Information Sharing” which would require designated “Responsible
Persons” – individuals responsible for fire safety in their
building – of the highest risk buildings to assess the needs of
their most vulnerable residents and consider what might
reasonably be done to mitigate any risks to fire safety.
Fire and Rescue Services will also be provided with up-to-date
information on where these residents live within the building –
this will be used to inform their operational strategy and
prioritise resources to further assist and effect the evacuation
of these residents
Mark Hardingham, Chair of National Fire Chiefs Council said:
The UK fire and rescue service has much to be proud of and is
held in very high regard by the public and the partner
organisations we work with.
Every day, people across the UK draw confidence from the
prevention, protection and 999 response services they receive
from firefighters and staff.
The White Paper provides a further opportunity to continuously
improve what fire and rescue services do, while building on the
fantastic work we see every day.
The NFCC has an important role to play in advising and delivering
on future reform and improvements. We will now carefully consider
the paper and respond to the consultation."
