13 Mar 2024
London Fire Brigade completes every recommendation of Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 and promises further change to keep Londoners safe
- New technology, firefighting equipment, processes and amongst the changes brought in to protect the Capital
- Changes support and benefit all of LFB’s 5,600 operational staff and Londoners
- Improvement to continue, with investment in training planned for later this year
London Fire Brigade (LFB) today [13.3.24] announces that it has completed all 29 of the recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Improvements include changes to firefighter training, refreshed processes for managing major incidents and the introduction of innovative technology to support firefighting.
Specific examples include:
New equipment
London Fire Brigade has replaced the entire fleet of high-reach vehicles and introduced new 64 metre Turntable Ladders, the tallest ladders in service across Europe. New command units equipped with technology to improve incident commanders’ ability to respond at the incident ground entered service at the end of 2023.
Over 200 people have been rescued using escape hoods since their introduction in 2018. London’s firefighters are amongst the first in the UK to carry them and they offer the public protection from toxic smoke.
Improved communication
The latest upgrades and new fire ground radios allow firefighters wearing helmets and breathing apparatus (BA) sets to communicate effectively with their teams and entry control officers when inside buildings.
Drones are also used to transmit information about incidents. The drones provide live images and thermal imagery to better allow incident commanders to develop tactics to tackle fires. The drones can also act as a loudspeaker to provide instructions or reassurance and provide light in dark conditions.
Better processes
Changes have been implemented across the Brigade, enabling LFB to respond to the most challenging emergencies. This includes control officers benefitting from improved training on providing fire survival guidance, as well as software that allows members of the public to provide control officers with a video feed from an incident.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “We accepted every recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and have been working hard over the past five years to implement significant changes to the way we operate.
“We are the only organisation to have completed every recommendation directed specifically to them and I am proud of the work that staff have put into this, but I also know that there is still much more to do. Fundamental change in large, complex organisations takes time and while our transformation programme is safely on track, we are not finished. I’m dedicated to continuing this journey with full commitment so that we can continue to be trusted to serve and protect our capital.
“These improvements are paving the way forward for further change as we await the next report from Phase 2 of the Inquiry. We owe it to the bereaved families, the survivors, the residents of Grenfell Tower and Londoners to change and improve.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The Grenfell Tower fire was an appalling tragedy and we will always remember the 72 people who lost their lives. The most fitting tribute to the people who died, their loved ones and those who survived is to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.
“I have been relentless in doing everything I can to ensure the recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry are implemented in full. Following City Hall’s significant investment, the LFB’s new equipment and protocols will help save lives. I welcome the significant steps the London Fire Brigade have taken to transform the way in which it responds to incidents, and high-rise building fires in particular.
“But there is more to do, and it is vital that the Government steps up along with housing and building industries to act now and ban combustible materials in external walls no matter their height and provide funding support for those unfairly saddled with large costs to remediate unsafe cladding. It’s vital that all possible steps are taken now to prevent another tragedy.”
Today’s announcement comes exactly a week after His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) removed LFB from enhanced monitoring, in recognition of the improvements delivered by the Brigade. By acting on the Inquiry recommendations over more than four years and fulfilling the expectations of the inspectorate, the Brigade has become a significantly improved organisation. Work will continue to improve the Brigade’s HR systems and processes to support a better workplace culture.
Contact Information
London Fire Brigade
0208 536 5922
press@london-fire.gov.uk
Notes to editors
- The first phase of the inquiry made 46 recommendations in total, of which 29 were aimed at the Brigade. Today, the Brigade completed all of the recommendations from that phase
- Fire crews have undergone five months of training with the new fire ground radios integrated with new BA sets. Other benefits include better voice communication via integrated communications in the face mask, personal issue face masks and an intuitive, tablet-based BA Entry Control Board.
- The Brigade has made significant change to the way they tackle fires in high-rise buildings since the Grenfell Tower Fire and specialist equipment has been introduced together with training across protocols, procedures and use of equipment. The Mayor of London and Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience visited a high rise exercisein May 2022.
- Information gathering, data collection and communications between incidents and partners have also been overhauled and new processes of collecting operational risk data on high-rise buildings have been introduced. Responsible persons of high-rise blocks of flats must now provide LFB with information through our High Rise Data Portal.
- The completion of the recommendations is an important milestone that recognises the hard work of LFB staff at fire stations, Control, the operational support centre and the headquarters since the Grenfell Tower fire.
- Work to change and improve the services the Brigade provides to London’s communities continues with the delivery of our Community Risk Management Plan, Your London Fire Brigade. With further support and funding from the Mayor, the Brigade will be increasing training provision for firefighters and new trainees joining the fire service. Change is also evident throughout LFB’s workplace in the bid to improve its culture. In 2024, new training was rolled out for managers and leaders, and LFB’s new valueswere launched: service, integrity, teamwork, equity, courage and learning.
- London Fire Brigade is committed to sustaining change and improvement further. Significant investment is planned to increase training for firefighters to provide a better experience of tackling fires in a controlled environment. Furthermore, new trainees will have their course extended which will make them better prepared for the next stage of their careers at fire stations. The Brigade will also investigate the use of additional firefighting techniques and equipment. Improvements to our workplace culture will also continue, building on the work to introduce a new set of values last year. This includes working hard to ensure the new values are at the centre of the community through a more understanding and inclusive workplace.
- The Brigade transformed home fire safety visits for the most vulnerable in London and very high risk people are contacted within four hours of a report. Alongside these visits, our Home Fire Safety Checkeris available for everyone, providing bespoke advice for individual homes – success is proven by the fact that in 2023 more people used this service than in 2022.
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