London Fire Brigade News

The fourth London safety plan is built on excellent work done by members of London Fire Brigade The fourth London safety plan agreed by London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority at its meeting on 18 March is built on excellent work already carried out by the London Fire Brigade's 7,000 staff members. It proposes new ways of delivering some of its resources to incidents, expands the work of the London local authority co-ordination centre run by the Brigade on behalf of...

Old Fire Station, Stoke Newington, Hackney, London. Photo: Fin Fahey This guidance is intended to help those authorities who are faced with applications for alteration and adaptation.From the compact allure of Belsize to the elaborate Victorian splendour of Kensington, London's historic fire station buildings are an instantly recognisable part of the capital. The one that remain in active use are part of their proud legacy of civic buildings that are cherished by their com...

The premise safety failings included no fire extinguishers, no emergency signage and no fire risk assessment A former pub landlord has been ordered to pay £16,015 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of fire safety legislation following a prosecution brought by the London Fire Brigade. Mr Bhupinder Singh Mann admitted guilt on 16 contraventions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Sentencing occurred on Friday, 26 February 2...

The agreement between LFB and Hilton aims to promote fire safety and reduce false alarms London's first agreement between the fire service and a hotel chain has been signed by London Fire Brigade and Hilton Worldwide. The landmark agreement, exclusively for Hilton's hotels in London, is the result of an ongoing dialogue with regards to safety procedures and aims to promote additional fire safety, reduce the number of false alarms the Brigade attends and strengthen the...

  London's first new additional fire station was officially opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson The new station has state-of-the-art all weather training facilities.London's first new additional fire station for over a decade was officially opened by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Thursday 11 February. Harold Hill fire station on Ashton Road in Romford will improve attendance times of firefighters responding to emergencies in the north east area of Havering...

The LFB won the Sustainable Refurbishment of the Year category The London Fire Brigade has won an award at the prestigious CIBSE Low Carbon Performance Awards (3 February, 2010). The Brigade was given the accolade in the sustainable refurbishment of the year category for the work carried out at Croydon Fire Station. The extensive refurbishment at the station has cut CO2 emission by more than 50%. Chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority's Finance,...

Young people were awarded at a special ceremony at the Brigade's Southwark Training Centre Over 80 young people from all over London have been recognised for their outstanding achievements while attending a firefighting skills course run by the London Fire Brigade. The Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) programme is an intensive five day course that teaches young people between the ages of 13 and 17 firefighting skills alongside real firefighters. At a special ceremo...

Over 1 in 3 fatal house fires are started by cigarettes or other smoking materials The London Fire Brigade has warned against the fire risks associated with cigarettes and alcohol.In January, many people start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and, in a bid to become more healthy many give up smoking and drinking. However, most people don't realise that by cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol they will also reduce the chance of having a fire in their home. Londo...

Ian Thornton was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire Bow Crew Manager Ian Thornton was only 23 when he joined the London Fire Brigade, and after 20 years service to Londoners, was awarded with a medal for his dedication to protecting the capital's communities from fire. Ian, 43, joined the Brigade in 1989, when he changed his smart office suit to a firefighters uniform and rubber boots. He said: "I didn't really enjoy wo...

London's firefighters are reminding you to take great care in your home  With forecasters predicting the coldest winter for 100 years, London's firefighters are reminding people to take great care in their homes during the big freeze. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety, Andy Hickmott, said: "When the temperature drops and it's freezing outside, the chance of you having a house fire increases. Sadly, you're also more likely to die...

In his 40 years, Harry has worked in a number of control rooms and has attended to major fires across London Harry Simmons, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, has completed 40 years in service, joining the Brigade in 1969. Control Commander Harry Simmons was taken by surprise when he arrived to work to a celebration organised by his fellow colleagues and family members, marking his 40 years with the London Fire Brigade. Harry, of Noak Bridge in Basildon, joined the Brigade in 1...

LLACC is supporting borough councils as they continue to deal with severe weather London Fire Brigade's 'London Local Authority Coordination Centre' (LLACC) is supporting borough councils across the capital as they continue to deal with some of the most severe weather in living memory. Based in Clapham, the 24-hours a day centre is activated by the Brigade's emergency planning team when there is a need for Councils to work together, coordinate resources, share informat...

The law places the responsibility for fire safety on employers and other people who have control of premises Three years after changes to fire safety law, London Fire Brigade is warning that many businesses still don't have enough understanding of how the law affects their business or premises, and could be risking financial ruin or even prosecution. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into affect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safet...

LFB staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list London Fire Brigade staff have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list published recently. London Fire Brigade Group Manager Nigel Hall has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) and Kelly Fairman has received the MBE for services to the Fire and Rescue Service. Nigel's award recognises his 30 years service with the Brigade and his instrumental role in setting up its flagship youth engagement...

London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign The aim of the campaign is to remind people to take care with candles and not to overload plug sockets this Christmas.London's firefighters have launched a Christmas fire safety campaign to remind people of the dangers of house fires over the festive season. The Brigade has just released new figures which show that electrical problems, such as overloaded plug sockets, and candles, cause more house...

Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed to hold back fire and stop it from spreading Firefighters in London are specially trained to respond to fires in high rise buildings, and are regularly called out to such fires.Following the fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell this year, some reports in the media may have left you confused about what to do if a fire starts in your building. Tower blocks or high rise buildings are designed with walls, ceilings and doors that h...

The completion of both boroughs' 50th LIFE courses a passing out parade was held on 11 December at Dagenham A successful London Fire Brigade scheme that works with young people at risk of social exclusion to raise their self esteem has marked its 50th pass out parade in two boroughs. Since being introduced in Newham in December 2004, 800  young people have completed Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) courses there, while over 650 teenagers have completed the...

EU countries have now agreed to set a new "fire safer standard" for all cigarettes sold in the union Fires caused by smokers' materials are more likely than other domestic fires to cause death or serious injury. In London it is estimated that around 40 per cent of all fatalities in accidental house fires are caused by smoking materials, while nationally this figure is a third. Throughout 2007 the London Fire Brigade worked as part of the RIP coalition,(Reduced Ign...

LFB is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way Hundreds of people across Britain are injured in incidents involving fireworks each year and more than half of those injured are children.London Fire Brigade is dedicated to ensuring that fireworks are always stored, sold and used in a safe and responsible way, and they work with partner agencies across London in preparation for major events such as Guy Fawkes Night, Di...

  London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance on sprinkler systems for new buildings   The London Fire Brigade has welcomed new government guidance for new buildings with sprinkler systems. The guidance would ensure that new and refurbished school buildings, including those built under the Building Schools for the Future programme, are likely to have sprinkler systems. They will be working to make sure that decision makers and the general public...

LFB campaign to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been working hard to reduce the disruption caused to London by incidents involving acetylene gas cylinders.The campaign is to ensure the safe use, signage and storage of acetylene cylinders and to create a greater awareness of the additional dangers they bring when they are involved in fires and other incidents. Alongside the awareness campaign, the Brigade...

LFB was judged to be ‘performing well' making it one of the highest scoring fire authorities in the country London Fire Brigade is performing well. That is the verdict of Government watchdog, the Audit Commission, in a report released Wednesday, 9 December. The assessment looks at two key areas - managing performance and use of resources. The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs London Fire Brigade, was judged to be 'performing well' in both o...

Former LFEPA member and Bexley Councillor Colin Tandy unveiled a plaque in the new appliance bay The additional fire engine will significantly improve response times to fires in the borough, improving the safety of residents.Councillor Brian Coleman AM FRSA, Chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, hosted celebrations on Friday 4 December, marking the major renovation work that has been performed on Sidcup fire station. Former LFEPA member and Bexley Co...

  London Mayor Boris Johnson and London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson visited Ilford fire station London Mayor Boris Johnson visited Ilford fire station to see the first completed building under the Mayor's building energy efficiency programme (BEEP). Ilford fire station has benefited from a range of carbon busting measures, as part of the Mayor's innovative programme to save energy from public buildings and save money off fuel bills. This includes: photovoltaic pan...

  The Fourth London Safety Plan includes new performance targets   The plan will now be subject to a twelve week consultation to collect the views of Londoners and key stakeholders. Members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have recently approved a range of proposals made by London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, paving the way for public consultation on the future of the capital's fire and rescue service. The London Fire and Emergency Plann...

London Fire Brigade has launched a consultation today for fourth London Safety Plan London Fire Brigade has launched a consultation on its draft London Safety Plan, which sets out how the Brigade will carry forward plans to modernise and improve the fire service in the capital. This is the fourth London Safety Plan, and it explains how the Brigade will build on its reputation as one of the world's leading fire and rescue services. The plan proposes a shake up of how s...

London Fire Brigade's new statistics show fatal fires increase during winter The London Fire Brigade has released new figures about accidental, fatal house fires. As the temperature drops and people spend more time at home using heaters, candles and cooking hot food, serious house fires increase - that's the stark message from London's firefighters this winter. The Brigade has released new figures about accidental, fatal house fires, which show that fatalities in acci...

London Fire Brigade's rapping firefighter, Stephen-remell Coleman Stephen-remell has written the track to tell people that London Fire Brigade is looking for new firefighters from all walks of life. "Follow me my people this is the way, sign your name for fire brigade open days. Oh what a rush, no job can touch, the job that I got this job is too much. We need more brothers and sisters let's go, don't matter if you're x or y chromosome". The line above is from a new hip...

New Look was fined £400,000 after pleading guilty to breaches of fire safety Sentencing of New Look took place at Southwark Crown Court on 25 November, 2009 after they pleaded guilty to two breaches of the RRO. The high street retailer New Look has been fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £136,052 in costs after pleading guilty to serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the "RRO"). It is the largest fine under the RRO. Lon...

City of Westminster Magistrates' Court fined the landlord for seven breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) A landlord has been ordered to pay over £20,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to breaches of fire safety legislation. City of Westminster Magistrates' Court fined Mohammed Khan, £10,150 for seven breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Mr Khan has managed the property since 1997. The prosecution followed a numbe...