National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) News

  A renewed call to action to improve culture and end misogyny, racism, bullying, and harassment across UK fire and rescue services underpinned by an action plan has been announced, following the culmination of a two-day National Fire Chiefs Council event on culture and inclusion. culture and inclusion With every UK Fire and Rescue Service represented, there was a unanimous commitment to improving culture and inclusion across fire and rescue services, with the publication of a clear...

RIBA and seven built environment bodies, fire safety organizations and disability rights groups have signed a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP. The united call urges the Government to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase in new residential buildings to 18 meters (approximately six storeys), from the government’s current proposed 30 meters (approximately ten storeys). new residential buildings Yest...

The National Fire Chief Council’s (NFCC) Community Risk Program (CRP) is developing standardized tools to support UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in their community risk management planning. To date, the program has worked with the Fire Standards Board to produce a fire standard for Community Risk Management and has delivered several pieces of guidance and tools that are being utilized by UK fire and rescue services. Independent review of community risk management The tools produced...

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) will be joining fire services across the United Kingdom (UK) to celebrate and recognize the incredible work women across fire and rescue services carry out every day. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, promoting a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. NFCC supports fire services to be inclusive The National Fire Chiefs Council want to see more women and people from d...

Broadcaster and safety campaigner - Nick Ross CBE has been announced as the new Independent Chair of Trustees for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). With a long-standing background in public health and community safety, as well as a celebrated career in journalism, including as presenter of the BBC’s Crimewatch program, Nick will take up the role of independent chair for NFCC from April. NFCC - professional voice of UK fire and rescue services The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFC...

Firefighters are backing a national campaign to highlight the everyday accidents that can cause fires in homes across West Yorkshire.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is urging people to be extra careful on Valentine’s Day and ensure candles are kept away from flammable objects and are never left unattended. Fire Kills campaign In February, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is running its annual Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of fire safety in the home....

Responding to reports regarding culture in the fire and rescue service, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has reiterated that the behaviors outlined are wholly unacceptable, making it clear there is no place for harassment, bullying or discrimination in any workplace. NFCC is committed to working with all fire and rescue services to support open and inclusive workplace cultures. NFCC supports an open and inclusive workplace culture I am appalled by the recent reports into behaviors and...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has announced that teams from UK fire and rescue services have been deployed to the Republic of Türkiye, in order to assist with search and rescue operations, following the devastating earthquakes. The 77-strong International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team is made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services. It has deployed through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. International Search and Rescue team deployed to Türkiye...

The legal requirements mean that those responsible for high-rise buildings need to provide information on their building to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS). This can be done via the WYFRS website and should include details of the external walls, buildings and floor plans and information on known faults with key firefighting equipment. Fire Safety Regulations 2022 Coming into force on January 23rd, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, will implement the majority of re...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is supporting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, following five firefighters being taken to hospital, one who is in a critical condition. 22 fire appliances attended the fire at a former department store in Edinburgh, Scotland. A total of 11 fire engines and specialist equipment remain at the scene. Firefighters injured in store fire It is always devastating when firefighters are injured attending incidents" The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Cou...

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) is delighted to announce the launch of its Leadership and People Fire Standards: Leading the Service and Leading and Developing People.  Both Fire Standards have been developed to support services in strengthening professionalism and leadership at all levels of their organization, encouraging more positive working environments for the benefit of their people and the community they serve.  Leading the Service Fire Standard The Leading the Service Fire S...

The new Fire Safety (England) Regulations will take effect from January 23, 2023. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) welcomed the introduction of the new Regulations, which make it a requirement for responsible persons of high-rise residential buildings to provide information on their building/s to their local fire and rescue service. A high-rise residential building is defined as a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises and is at least 18 meters tall or has at least sev...

The Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research Group (ACER) is an independent forum, convened by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to help coordinate and maximize the benefits of academic research with relevance for fire and rescue services (FRS), to contribute to improved public and firefighter safety.  It is chaired by Rowena Hill from Nottingham Trent University and Vice Chaired by Justin Johnston from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (Lancashire FRS). ACER ACER will pro...

Following the publication of the annual State of Fire report, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has responded to its findings. Published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), it looks at the fire and rescue service’s effectiveness, efficiency and how they focus on their staff. In the report, HMICFRS’ Chief Inspector - Andy Cooke said: “I am continually struck by the dedication of firefighters and other staff, and I...

Attacks on firefighters are at their highest since records began – and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) saw the worst attacks it has ever seen over the weekend. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wants to see stronger sentences handed down by the courts – where restorative justice has not worked. According to the latest Home Office figures, almost one thousand firefighters were attacked while attending incidents. Rise in number of attacks on firefighters To s...

The development of the Fire Control Fire Standard has been coordinated by National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in conjunction with the NFCC Mobilising Officers Group. This further Fire Standard accompanies the twelve Fire Standards already published.  Fire Control Fire Standard The following NFCC National Operational Guidance underpins the Fire Control Fire Standard: Fire control National Operational Guidance: Survival guidance. Fire control National Operational Guidance: Fire cont...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has released a statement calling on the Government to make it a requirement for all new high-rise residential buildings over 18 meters or seven stories to have more than one staircase. In England, there is currently no maximum height for residential buildings with only one staircase. Changes in high-rise buildings NFCC is urging the Government to adopt the following changes for high-rise residential buildings over 18 meters or seven storeys: All...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is delighted to initiate the NFCC Middle Leadership Programme project for the benefit of UK fire and rescue services. Led by Project Executive ACFO - Matt Cook, in conjunction with the project team under NFCC’s Leadership Programme, the project aims to provide a standardized approach to developing middle managers, both operational and support, for the fire sector. NFCC Middle Leadership Programme project The project will incorporate blended and so...

Residents are urged to take simple steps to protect themselves from accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning as they look to keep warm and reduce energy use this winter.  As temperatures drop heading into the coldest part of the year, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is highlighting the potential risks of finding alternative, unsafe ways of heating and lighting their homes as the cost of living continues to increase. Stay Fire Safe campaign The Service is supporting Na...

Mark Hardingham, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council said, “The NFCC is committed to supporting all aspects of the development of UK fire and rescue services, including culture and professionalism. The Independent Culture Review of London Fire Brigade contains disturbing and difficult information." "We support LFB for recognizing the need and commissioning this work as a positive step on a long, difficult but vitally important journey." Immediate action “We need to tak...

The former Firefighter - Tony is being acknowledged at an award ceremony for the fire prevention work he has conducted over the last 15 years. Tony is a finalist in the first-ever National Fire Chiefs Council’s Celebrating Prevention Awards 2022 in their Outstanding Contribution Award category. Tony's determination  The father of two and grandfather of seven joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) in 1977 and he said that one incident in particular made him determin...

The Environment Services Association (ESA) has launched it's latest ‘Take Charge’ recycling campaign to counter the rising number of fires caused by batteries that have not been disposed of correctly. recycle batteries First launched in 2020, the campaign aims to warn consumers of the dangers related to ‘zombie’ batteries, which can be a potential fire risk if they are thrown away alongside residual waste or via other recycling methods. Instead, it urges consumers to r...

As the cost of living crisis worsens across the country, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is warning there could be a sharp increase in accidental fires in the home. NFCC is concerned that the UK could see an increase in fire-related serious injuries – and potentially fatalities – as people try to find alternative ways to stay warm, light their homes, and reduce energy as bills soar. Keeping communities safe And to combat this, NFCC is launching its new national campaign, &...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has responded to the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC) building safety reform consultations. These key consultations, which closed on 12 October, lay out the principles that will determine what the new building safety regime will look like during construction and once in occupation. Lack of detail and clarity  NFCC has raised concerns about the lack of clarity and detail on some of the issues within the consultation...

Rob MacDougall, Director of Community Safety and Chief Fire Officer at Oxfordshire County Council, has been appointed National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) People Programme Executive. The appointment follows the departure of Ann Millington, Chief Executive for Kent Fire and Rescue Service and former NFCC People Programme Executive, after 11 years in the post. supporting the NFCC network Having joined the sector in 1998, Rob has enjoyed a wide and varied career in Oxfordshire, and even took a sh...

Vital equipment has been donated by West Yorkshire firefighters to help those battling to save lives in Ukraine.  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has added to the special convoy that left the UK this weekend to head to Poland. Once it arrives the equipment will be handed over to the Polish State Fire Service, with support from Germany en route, to help support firefighters in Ukraine. boats and PPE Among the equipment are six inflatable boats and a box of PPE equipment don...

A CPD (Continuing Professional Development) event is being held at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on 29 September 2022.  Led by NFCC’s End Point Assessment Partnership team, the newly established event is for fire and rescue services in England who have existing apprentices and is either looking for an End Point Assessment Organization (EPAO) or are looking to release members of staff to assist the assessments as an Independent End Point Assessor (IEPA).  New assessment...

Ron Alalouff reviews the tighter regulation of fire safety in the design and construction of buildings coming into effect on 1 December. In the last twelve months, the government has moved to strengthen a range of fire safety provisions in building regulations and guidance, including drawing up tougher standards on the use of combustible materials on medium-rise blocks of flats between 11m and 18m high. Changes in Act The changes are being brought about by the Building Etc (Amendment) (Englan...

A stark warning about the risks of taking shortcuts in an attempt to save fuel costs has been given by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Group Commander - David Girrity told a meeting of the Midlothian Police, Fire and Rescue Board that fires in homes will increase as the cost-of-living crisis hits households, according to the Edinburgh Evening News. Single occupancy households Group Commander - David Girrity said: “The poverty of fuel, I can see that exacerbating the issues in rela...

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is proud to lend its support to Business Safety Week to help keep customers in the county safe from fire risks. The annual campaign, organized by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), runs from 5 - 11 September and aims to make businesses aware of their fire safety responsibilities and provide employees with the information they need to help prevent and respond to fires at work. Measures to reduce fire risk  Many fires in the workplace will have devast...