21 Jul 2023

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has published its new Member Strategy, setting out its ambitions to continuously improve, and to firmly establish NFCC and the UK Fire and Rescue Service as among the best in the world.

The Strategy, which has been shaped by extensive engagement and consultation with NFCC members, demonstrates how NFCC will achieve its mission of working with fire and rescue services over the next three years, to achieve safer communities through collaboration, partnership, representation and support.

New NFCC Member Strategy

The new NFCC Member Strategy is informed by clear drivers for change

The new NFCC Member Strategy is informed by clear drivers for change, such as the need for a more positive and inclusive culture in fire and rescue services, recommendations from the Grenfell Tower and Manchester Arena inquiries, and findings from inspection outcomes.

It will support fire and rescue services in achieving the shared ambitions outlined in ‘Fit for the Future’, enabling them to meet future challenges and opportunities effectively.

Core Code of Ethics

The new Member Strategy is also underpinned by the fire and rescue sector’s Core Code of Ethics, demonstrating the collective expectations of UK fire and rescue services to generate a more positive working culture, and maintain standards of service and public confidence.

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham said: “I am extremely pleased to launch the new NFCC Member Strategy and would like to thank everyone who has been involved in shaping and developing it."

He adds, "The Strategy is designed as a tool for fire and rescue services to use when considering their own local strategies and plans, helping to align local priorities and work to the wider national context.

Improve, diversify and embrace the drivers for change

It is a time to build on all the fantastic work that is already taking place every day"

Mark Hardingham continues, “This is a time of great opportunity for fire and rescue services, to improve, diversify, embrace the drivers for change, and fully commit to the challenges we are facing now and in the future. It is a time to build on all the fantastic work that is already taking place every day in communities across the country.

He further said, “By working together, it is our collective ambition to continuously improve, and to firmly establish NFCC and the UK Fire and Rescue Service as among the best in the world – something that is reflected not only in the Member Strategy, but in the on-going work of NFCC and the Fire and Rescue Service as a whole.

Developed alongside the NFCC Corporate Strategy

The NFCC Member Strategy has been developed alongside the NFCC Corporate Strategy and a rolling one-year Business Plan highlighting key objectives and priorities to provide support to fire and rescue services locally, and to continuously improve services to communities across the UK.