London Fire Brigade - Experts & Thought Leaders

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has completed a program of maintenance for London’s only River Fire Station. Recently, Lambeth River Fire Station made its return to its historic home at Albert Embankment on the Thames after six months of refurbishments in Lowestoft. The firefighters returned to the station after a period of operational duty at HMS President. two fire boats Fire boats have been utilized in London since as early as the 1700s and a river station has been positioned at Lambeth since 1936. Lambeth River Fire Station’s firefighters crew two fire boats responding to incidents from the river, bridges and the shore. The Brigade’s boat crews attend over 170 incidents a year – more than three a week on average Working closely with the RNLI, Metropolitan Police Service, HMS Coastguard and Port of London Authority, the Brigade’s boat crews attend over 170 incidents a year – more than three a week on average. Alongside general improvements, painting and redecoration, the station’s hull has been fully refurbished, extending the life of the station by around 25 years.  £3.2 million investment Laura Birnbaum, Head of Property and Technical Support Services, said, "After a significant investment into the maintenance of Lambeth River Fire Station, crews have been welcomed back to their historic home on Albert Embankment." She adds, "Improvements to the station follow a £3.2 million investment in two new fireboats. In service since 2022, ‘Tanner’ and ‘Errington’ are twice as fast as the previous vessels and can reach speeds of forty knots." hydraulic crane Laura Birnbaum continues, "As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats are fitted with a hydraulic crane for conducting rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera." She further states, "We would like to extend our thanks to Babcock and SMS Group for their work to restore the station alongside Brigade staff. The refurbishments have provided the river station with longevity and improved the offices, accommodation, and recreational spaces available to the crews." unique skills and equipment Patrick Goulbourne, Assistant Commissioner for Operational Resilience and Control, said, "Lambeth River Fire Station forms a vital part of the Brigade’s emergency response. The station’s ground uniquely covers Teddington in the west to Dartford Crossing in the east." He adds, "While the station was under repair, Lambeth River Fire Station’s crews and fire boats were stationed at HMS President, the Royal Navy’s permanent base on the River Thames. The support of the Royal Navy ensured the Brigade could continue to utilize the unique skills and equipment of Lambeth River’s crews, while the station was under repair." role in emergency response Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, said, "The river station plays a crucial role in emergency response up and down the banks of the river. As well as being able to respond to incidents on the Thames itself, it also plays a vital part in tackling land based fires along the river using the Thames as its water source." He adds, "Babcock, a market pioneer in the design, manufacture and through-life support of vessels is proud to work together with LFB and SMS Group to see this vital asset ready again for service. Together the deep maintenance has been successfully completed thanks to the commitment and close working between everyone involved." life-extension experience David Gooderham, General Manager of SMS in Lowestoft, said, "The project perfectly suits both our infrastructure and expertise; our 75m dry dock and 100m quayside perfectly complimented the technical requirements of the work scope. We have the life-extension experience and the marine engineering expertise - especially in relation to floating assets." He continues, "From disconnecting the station, through to the towage, completing the works onsite in the dry dock, dredging the standing location on the Thames, and thereafter reconnecting the assets it’s been a great program of work, it also been a real, genuine pleasure to work with both Babcock and LFB.  Huge thanks to their respective project teams for making this deep maintenance period such a resounding success." mutual benefit Lieutenant Commander - L J Broster, Royal Navy, said, "HMS PRESIDENT has been very pleased to host our colleagues from London Fire Brigade (LFB) since February. During this period, LFB has utilised the site near Tower Bridge, operating two fire boats." He adds, "LFB have been able to make use of the galley, the accommodation, the rest areas, a dedicated classroom and a fully equipped gymnasium. The Brigade’s nine month stay has flown by and been of mutual benefit to both the Royal Navy Reserve and LFB. As the Brigade prepare to move back to Lambeth River Station, all our staff at HMS PRESIDENT wish them a fond farewell."

A mural has been unveiled at Whitechapel Fire Station commemorating two London firefighters who lost their lives responding to a fire in 2004.   Firefighters Billy Faust and Adam Meere, Whitechapel Red Watch, were among fifty firefighters who attended a fire in Bethnal Green on 20 July 2004. Upon entering the building as a pair wearing Breathing Apparatus, they became trapped in the building’s basement following an explosion.   fire response Fellow firefighters at the scene immediately began to carry out an operation to reach Billy and Adam, who were rescued with severe injuries. Sadly, both passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Adam, aged 27 at the time of his death, had only qualified as a firefighter three months earlier. Billy, aged 36, had served at Whitechapel Fire Station for seven years.  mural at the fire station Twenty years on, Billy and Adam feature in a mural at the fire station where they served. Designed by local artist David Speed, in his distinctive style that incorporates neon paintings in bold fluorescent colors, the mural stands prominently on the side of the station, visible to the public traveling along Commercial Road. David was approached to paint the mural by Firefighter Carl Taylor, Whitechapel Blue Watch, who had seen the artist's work at an exhibition.  private memorial service Serving firefighters from across the Brigade were joined by Billy and Adam's families, as well as retired firefighters Serving firefighters from across the Brigade were joined by Billy and Adam's families, as well as retired firefighters and officers who served with them, for the mural unveiling. This was followed by a private memorial service in Bethnal Green and a wreath-laying service near the site of the fire.   Retired Station Officer Jon Scott, who served with Billy and Adam, shared his memories of the firefighters, “Losing Billy and Adam in 2004 was an incredibly difficult time for everybody at Whitechapel and surrounding stations and remains so to this day." introduced to a whole new audience “We've never forgotten them, but through this mural and hard work of artist David Speed, their names have been introduced to a whole new audience with this mural, ensuring their memory never dies.”  Richard Tapp, Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets said, “It’s incredibly important for us in Tower Hamlets to remember Billy and Adam, and I’m proud that Whitechapel Fire Station will help achieve that with this memorial. David’s mural is an incredible addition to the station that honors two dedicated firefighters, that also fits with the spirit and culture of the borough.”  Andy Roe's comment London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said, “Twenty years ago, Billy and Adam's families, friends, and colleagues experienced unimaginable pain with their loss. We know that firefighting is a dangerous job, but that does not make the loss of any firefighter easier." “I’m grateful we now have this mural in their memory, and that people from across the Brigade have joined with Adam and Billy’s families to unveil it. It’s important for us as an organization to remember, and for us to work hard in ensuring firefighters are as safe as possible when responding to emergencies.” 

Babcock International has supplied four extreme weather response vehicles to the London Fire Brigade (LFB), which will be trialed this summer to respond to the growing threat of grass fires and wildfires. The four new vehicles have off-road capabilities and technology that enable firefighters to tackle fires quickly and safely. Able to pump water while driving and carry approximately 500 liters of water, these unique vehicles are also equipped with wildfire beaters and leaf blowers that can control the direction of wildfire travel and help extinguish it. Grass fires and wildfires  Unveiled a simulated wildfire response training exercise on 11 July, the vehicles will now be located across London and mobilized to grass fires and wildfires around the capital. David Reed, Technical Officer on the LFB Fleet contract, said: "We’ve been delighted to support our customer LFB by sourcing vital assets and increasing their capability as part of dry weather preparations. In the event of hot weather, frontline stations will be able to make use of the extreme weather response vehicles to reduce the impact of wildfires, helping to create safer communities."

A 2015 survey found that globally firefighters are the most trusted profession worldwide. The fire service provides a vital role during flood events, rescuing members of the public, who may be trapped in their homes, pumping out flooded properties, and recovering stranded vehicles. However, many would not require this assistance, if they had been better prepared prior to a flood. And such preparation could help free up emergency services resources for others. Extreme rainfall and flooding More frequent Extreme rainfall and flooding events are now occurring with increasing regularity and severity, as the impacts of climate change become more apparent. Due to the growing frequency of devastating flood events, there is now much greater acknowledgement and appreciation of the increasing risks. There is also more urgency and willingness from individuals, businesses, and within both the public and private sector, to take greater responsibility for understanding and managing flood risk. Improvement in flood risk mapping and warnings Many home and business owners are unaware that they may be at the risk of flooding The flood risk sector has come a long way, within the last 15-20 years, with improvements in flood risk mapping, warnings, and flood risk management schemes. However, there is still room for improvement. Many home and business owners are unaware that they may be at the risk of flooding. This lack of awareness means that thousands of homes and properties are not prepared for flooding. It is, typically, these individuals that are at the greatest danger, during a flood and are more likely to require assistance from the emergency services, for evacuation, rescue, or recovery. A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said, “Last year, I attended an incident, where a car had driven into a flooded underpass. We had to rescue all the occupants from their vehicle. This could have easily been avoided, if they had just chosen to find another route.” Increase in flood awareness Flood awareness is increasing, but to continue this trend, there is a need for a collective effort from all parties across the flood risk sector, including the emergency services. A particular area of weakness within the sector is leadership. The Pitt Review, released following the 2007 floods, endeavored to create greater clarity around response to flooding. Although, many aspects have improved considerably, there still remains ambiguity about, which agency has responsibility for the co-ordination of flood response. Assessing and managing flood risk Responsibilities for assessing and managing flood risk are split between the Environment Agency (EA) and local council authorities, referred to as Lead Local Flood Authorities, depending on the size of a water course and the nature of the flooding. Alongside this, responsibility is split further, as sewer flooding is managed by the local water authorities. This can obviously become confusing for those outside of the profession, who are seeking guidance and advice, so as to better understand their flood risks, and to protect themselves and their property. Importance of informing the public on flood risks As well as clearer sign-posting to the relevant authority, all professions that deal with and manage flood risk need to be using interactions with the public, as an opportunity to inform and educate. While the ABI (Association of British Insurers) states that any flood surveyors should be Chartered Surveyors or Civil Engineers, this is not enforced and nor is there an easily accessible register, in order to find such professionals. There is a distinct lack of ‘trusted voices’ within the sector. Protecting people and property The fire service can have a crucial role in advising home and business owners, about their flood risks Given the absence of clear guidance and leadership, across the flood risk sector, the fire service can have a crucial role in advising home and business owners, about their flood risks. Ultimately, the objective for all the emergency services personnel is the same, as every flood risk professional, which is to protect people and property. The trust that is rightly afforded to the fire service provides an ideal opportunity to offer reliable guidance and advice, ensuring that people and property can be protected from the impacts of flooding. Sufficient staffing of fire and rescue services As a result of government cuts, 11,000 firefighter posts have been lost in the United Kingdom, since 2010. While firefighters have always rescued people from floods, the services need to be properly resourced with sufficient staff, so as to deal with increasing flood risk. As a trusted voice, we believe this should include sufficient funding, so as to help raise awareness of flood risk to the public. Currently, 67% of people do not know their flood risk.

Electric bikes and scooters are a newly popular way to travel through urban environments. However, the nifty devices come with a fire risk that could be deadly. In London, firefighters have responded to more than 25 fires, involving e-bikes or e-scooters in recent months, some of them significant incidents with serious injuries. Lithium-ion batteries pose fire risks The fire hazards of e-bikes and e-scooters stem from their use of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that can erupt into flames. Complicating the problem is use of unauthorized or third-party batteries that may not be safe. E-bike conversion kits are available to convert standard bikes into e-bikes, but they include only the motors and control gears. Batteries must be sourced separately, often over the internet and by cost-conscious buyers, who may not consider safety issues. Cheaper batteries may be faulty. Using trusted batteries and proper storage Firefighters urge residents to use only trusted batteries and to store them correctly Damaged batteries are also problematic. Spare batteries should not be knocked around, which can increase the likelihood of damage to the cells. Firefighters urge residents to use only trusted batteries and to store them correctly. In one recent incident, a first floor flat in Brixton in south London was badly damaged, after a fire was caused by a fault in the lithium-ion battery pack of a mountain bike that had been converted into an e-bike. In another incident, five people were taken to hospital, after a fire at a flat in Southwark in Central London, caused by the failure of a battery in an electric scooter on charge. In the United Kingdom, anyone over 14 years old can ride an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) without a license and with no need to register, pay tax or ensure the bike. Parameters for e-bikes in the UK The bike must meet certain requirements, such as displaying the power output and motor manufacturer, showing either the battery voltage or the maximum speed of the bike, and having a maximum power output of 250 watts. The electric motor should not be able to propel the bike, when it’s traveling more than 15.5 mph. Assuming a bike (or vehicle with more than two wheels, such as a tricycle), meets the requirements, it is classified as a normal pedal bike and can be ridden on cycle paths, and anywhere else where pedal bikes are allowed. E-scooters for emission-free transport E-scooters are stand-up, electrically powered scooters that are becoming more popular in urban environments E-scooters are stand-up, electrically powered scooters that are becoming more popular in urban environments, providing individual and emission-free transport. In a city like London, e-bikes are a familiar sight. Riders may store and charge their e-bikes in communal areas or hallways, when they are home. This practice heightens the fire danger, because any fire that erupts is likely to block an escape route and trap occupants within the building. Avoiding unsafe mixing of batteries and chargers The London Fire Brigade’s Fire Investigation team has seen incidents involving multiple batteries and chargers for a number of bikes at one property, which has resulted in the unsafe mixing of batteries and chargers. Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure, if charged incorrectly, which may be a contributing factor in some incidents. Batteries can get warm during use and should be allowed to cool down, before attempting to re-charge. They should also be charged on hard, flat surfaces, in order to allow heat to dissipate. Chargers and batteries should not be left unattended or while residents are asleep. Installation of smoke alarms is advisable in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged.

Drones give Incident Commanders an aerial view, increasing their situational awareness of fires and helping them to develop tactics to tackle them. Station Officer Lee Newman details how the technology was implemented by London Fire Brigade and the continued benefits. Identify external risks The Grenfell Tower fire has resulted in revisions to several operational procedures and the introduction of new equipment within the Brigade. A few months after the fire, the Brigade was tasked with setting up a trial to test the feasibility of having a drone capability to identify external risks and assess building stability at incidents, providing essential safety information that could facilitate ongoing internal firefighting operations. Implement the use of drones The Brigade implemented the use of drones and acquired a Matrice 210 V1 and a Phantom 4 Working with partners who had an existing drone capability, as well as drone experts, the Brigade began work to implement the use of drones and acquired a Matrice 210 V1 and a Phantom 4 as a trainer and reserve drone. In the summer of 2018, an Emergency Services bespoke course was run by Essex Police to train the Brigade’s team of drone pilots, who were all PfCO qualified within one week. From start to finish, it took just nine months to get London Fire Brigade’s drone team operational. Working of the drones On its first day of being available for incidents, the team received an order to attend a 15-pump fire at a leisure center, which was under renovation. They were asked to confirm if there were cylinders on the roof of the building and immediately put the drone to use. The team flew and relayed the camera footage onto a large screen that was fitted into a van provided for the trial. The drone footage was able to identify, to the Incident Commander’s satisfaction, that the cylinders were actually rolls of asphalt due to be laid on the roof as part of the renovation. If the drone concept could have proven its use in one job, this was it. The information from the drone allowed the Incident Commander to decide not to make it ‘cylinders confirmed’ and saved a lot of unnecessary extra appliance movements. Applications of drone Since that first callout, the team has been to around 300 incidents of six pumps or more, including persons in the water, fires, and various missing people’s incidents both in London and into other counties, assisting police forces. From start to finish, it took just nine months to get London Fire Brigade’s drone team operational Drone inventory The Brigade’s drone capability inventory includes a Matrice 300 with an H20T dual thermal and optical camera; a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual with multi attachments; a Mavic Air 2 and a Yuneec 520. The Brigade also has a Teradek live streaming device and multiple tablets for receiving the streamed footage. The Brigade operates with two Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs – plug-in hybrid SUVs – and has split the drone equipment into two, with one vehicle carrying the drone and batteries, and the other carrying all the support kit and ancillaries. Working in dark conditions The drones are permitted to fly up to 400 ft above ground level or higher in an emergency and can fly as fast as 50 mph. They also can act as a loudspeaker to give instructions or reassurance and shine a bright spotlight in dark or low light conditions. 24/7 service The Brigade has eight pilots trained and operates a 24/7 service The Brigade has eight pilots trained and operates a 24/7 service. The team is working closely with its blue light partners, including the: Metropolitan Police Service, several search and rescue teams, and a host of fire services surrounding the capital, as well as giving advice to other upcoming drone teams around the UK. Use of drone in future The Brigade’s drone capability has been molded to how it sees the future and what it holds in the way of drone use. For example, the Brigade has developed a capability to drop water rescue aides to people at water incidents, which helps to keep them afloat long enough to be rescued. The drone can also be used alongside the swift water rescue teams to provide situational awareness of hazards and the resulting risks during the rescue phase. Delivering fire escape tools The Brigade also invested in fire escape hoods in late 2018 and has already demonstrated how one might be delivered via a drone to a balcony above the height of an aerial appliance while using the Mavic Enterprise 2 to relay instructions via the loudspeakers. These possible new uses are pushing the boundaries of the Brigade’s original concept and demonstrate how London Fire Brigade works to stay ahead of the curve.