National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) News

The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has once again endorsed its commitment to fire safety by supporting Fire Door Safety Week, the national awareness campaign first launched in 2013 in response to widespread neglect of fire doors. The Fire Door Safety Week initiative was created to raise public understanding of the vital role that fire doors play in protecting life and property. Quality standards to proper installation Something as simple as propping a fire door open can prevent it from...

Ahead of the much anticipated review of BB100 for England, British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd’s (BAFSA) sprinkler ambassador and the driving force behind the website, Sprinkler Saves UK, has compiled a report for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to form part of the industry’s case to Government to make sprinklers mandatory in all new schools in England as they are in Scotland and Wales. The report details case studies where sprinklers have actuated having an imp...

New Government data of fire and rescue service incidents analyzed by HETAS for Chimney Fire Safety Week (CFSW), reveals that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responded to 181 chimney fires over the last year, the most out of all counties in England.  Dorset and Wiltshire follow in close second with a combined 113 chimney fires; Hereford and Worcester are third with a combined 95; North Yorkshire follows in fourth with 90; and Norfolk fifth with 86 chimney fires reported between...

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. Responding to the reports, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair - Mark Hardingham said: “I am appal...

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) is delighted to announce the launch of two new Fire Standards - Fire Control and Communications & Engagement. The development of the Fire Control Standard was driven by recent major incident events, such as Grenfell and the Manchester Arena bombing. It addresses the fundamental and strategic role that Fire Control plays from initially receiving the first contact through to the very close of an incident. Standardizing and refining This Fire Standard’s...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has welcomed the Fire Minister’s address to the NFCC Spring Conference this week, in which he set out the Government’s priorities for fire and rescue services and committed to reform being driven forward in collaboration with the sector. National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said, “We are really pushing decision makers to recognize the huge value and contribution of our fire and rescue services, so we welcome the Mini...

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has been appointed as the new Chief Fire Officer to lead Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, becoming the organization’s first female chief.  Set to start her new role later this year following a handover period with current Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, Sabrina joins them from her position as chief of the neighboring fire service in West Sussex. Prior roles of Sabrina  Sabrina, who has previously held senior fire service roles with Londo...

A convoy of UK fire and rescue services delivering over 15,000 pieces of life-saving firefighting equipment to Ukrainian firefighters is leaving now. 30 fire and rescue vehicles, including 26 fire engines, will also be donated. 18 fire and rescue services from across the UK are participating in the convoy, organized by FIRE AID, National Resilience and International Search and Rescue (based out of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service), HM Government, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Fi...

Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service (NFRS) will be doing its bit to support colleagues in Ukraine, when a group of volunteer firefighters drive across Europe to donate crucial fire equipment to the war-torn region later this month. 15 NFRS firefighters have volunteered to drive five ex-service vehicles to Ukraine, to deliver equipment including ladders, generators, hydraulic rescue equipment, light portable pumps, and positive pressure ventilation fans. Fire and rescue appliances Five appliance...

The largest UK fire and rescue service convoy is set to deliver more than 15,000 pieces of life-saving firefighting equipment to Ukrainian firefighters. Donated by UK fire and rescue services, working with FIRE AID, the eighth convoy - including 26 donated fire engines - will make its way across Europe next month (April). This eighth convoy adds to the 119 vehicles that have been donated, alongside 200,000 pieces of equipment since the invasion began. Full-scale invasion in 2022 The war...

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) has launched its recruitment drive for wholetime firefighters, offering people the opportunity to make a difference to keeping Essex safe. recruitment window The recruitment window opened on Tuesday 21 January and will remain open until 21 February, with successful candidates set to begin their training in June 2025. This is a chance to play a crucial role in protecting communities, saving lives, and keeping people in Essex safe. Whether people are...

In the run-up to the festive period, the Local Government Association (LGA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are reminding people of precautions that can be taken at home to prevent a fire, as government figures show a heightened risk of fire around this time of year. The number of fire hazards in the home can dramatically increase as people celebrate and exchange gifts due to festive lights and decorations, candles and open flames, as well as potentially faulty products such as toys...

Dräger, an international pioneer in medical and safety technology, has renewed its sponsorship of the National Breathing Apparatus Challenge (NBAC), as part of its commitment to supporting the firefighting community and promoting industry best practices. In its 16th year, The Challenge sees teams of five firefighters from across the UK competing where success depends on the expert use of breathing apparatus to manage an incident and the deployment of intelligent strategies such as tactical...

The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham, will be standing down in March 2025 when his four-year term of office comes to an end. NFCC recently held an election for a new Chair, with all serving UK Chief Fire Officers and those who had served as a Chief Fire Officer within the last two years eligible to stand. NFCC individual members Three very capable candidates put themselves forward, with the voting taking place across all NFCC individual members during Septembe...

As a pioneering manufacturer of high-performance sealing systems for fire doors, they’ve proudly supported the British Woodworking Federation’s Fire Door Safety Week campaign since its inception. Join them from 23rd-27th September as they raise awareness about the crucial role fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property in the event of a fire. FDSW response to a fire door Fire Door Safety Week (FDSW) was launched in response to a legacy of fire door neglect Fire Door...

Over 50 countries came together for the first-ever World Fire Congress in Washington DC last week. Hosted by the United States (US), the Congress (7th–8th May, 2024) was aimed at increasing international collaboration on the growing challenges faced by fire and rescue services across the globe. The two-day event also saw nations signing the World Fire Congress Charter, indicating their continued commitment to work together to tackle pressing fire-related issues. At the close of the event,...

Responding to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services’ (HMICFRS) report – State of Fire and Rescue: Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2023 – National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, said, “Our fire and rescue services undertake a vital role in keeping communities safe, they do this across a variety of different fire service roles often moving towards danger while helping others to escape it."...

The largest convoy from UK fire and rescue services to date will next week deliver essential firefighting equipment to Ukrainian fire and rescue services. The scale of this convoy is unprecedented, comprising 30 fire and rescue vehicles, two mechanics vehicles, and an HGV carrying over 2,800 items of surplus equipment. Amongst the 30 fire and rescue vehicles are 20 fire engines, eight incident command units, one aerial ladder platform, and one 4x4 vehicle. Donated equipment The Home Office wo...

Luton Airport suffered a huge fire in its Terminal 2 multi-story car park. The fire tore through the recently modernized car park, causing a significant structural collapse, severe damage to more than 1,200 cars, and serious disruption to flights.   The car park was part of a significant £160m redevelopment project in December 2018. Despite this modernization, the fire and rescue service revealed the car park was not equipped with fire sprinklers.   A 12-hour blaze The blaze s...

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has written to the UK International Search and Rescue Team (UK ISAR) to thank them for the assistance they provided in the country, following the devastating earthquake that took place earlier this month. The message was shared with Russell Gauden, National Coordinator of UK ISAR, who was asked to convey his gratitude and thanks to the team, as their deployment drew to a close last week. UK ISAR team of 62 firefighters mobilized UK ISAR worked relentlessly to...

Fire service leaders, medical experts, HR professionals and those affected by menopause gathered at The Rep (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), in central Birmingham last week for the NFCC’s first Menopause in Fire conference. The NFCC Menopause in Fire conference, which took place on Thursday, 21 September, 2023, offered a unique opportunity for colleagues within the fire and rescue sector to learn more about the menopause by hearing from medical experts, keynote speakers and those who share...

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) is once again demonstrating its continuing support for Fire Door Safety Week, a national safety awareness campaign that was first launched in 2013, and in response to a legacy of fire door neglect. The campaign aims to encourage a greater public understanding of the vital role that fire doors play in protecting life and property. Performance of a fire door In particular, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the critical role that fire doors play in the...

NFCC representatives have been in Lincolnshire to support and cheer on participants in the annual UK Rescue Organisation’s (UKRO) Festival of Rescue. specialist rescue disciplines The festival hosted by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, sees teams of firefighters from across the UK (plus three international teams) competing in five specialist rescue disciplines: vehicle extrication, rope, water and urban search and rescue, and trauma care. Over three days they showcase vital skills...

Two firefighters and a search and rescue dog from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have joined an international team, as part of the UK Government's response to the Morocco earthquake. K9 handler Crew Commander - Gary Carroll and Coorie, based at Portlethen, have departed along with Watch Commander - Gavin Brown, based in Dundee, as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (ISAR) deployed to Morocco through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK...

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue will be offering small and medium-sized businesses a range of advice during the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC’s) Business Safety Week, which runs from 11th – 17th September. The week aims to help businesses understand their fire safety responsibilities so they remain safe, legal, and compliant. Many fires in the workplace are preventable and some businesses never recover after a fire. Helping businesses to manage their fire risks and haza...

Ahead of the much anticipated review of BB100 for England, British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd’s (BAFSA) sprinkler ambassador and the driving force behind the website, Sprinkler Saves UK, has compiled a report for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to form part of the industry’s case to Government to make sprinklers mandatory in all new schools in England as they are in Scotland and Wales. Report highlighting sprinkler saves The report covers 10 sprinkler saves re...

The Fleur Lombard Bursary aims to advance the education of junior members of the fire and rescue service, by the grant of bursaries to enable them to travel and study fire and rescue service-related issues at other fire and rescue services elsewhere in the UK, Europe, or worldwide. If interested in finding out more about an issue affecting fire and rescue service or want to improve the understanding of fire and rescue service issues, may be interested in applying for the bursary. Members o...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with other national fire service organizations to strongly oppose proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs provide critical funding to help fire departments secure needed equipment, training, and staffing to adequately protect their communi...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with other national fire service organizations to strongly oppose proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs provide critical funding to help fire departments secure needed equipment, training, and staffing to adequately protect their communi...

Concerned fire officers and trading standard experts have warned of the dangers of e-bikes and e-scooters after a devastating fire in Newcastle. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) and Newcastle City Council have issued the warning after a residential fire in Elswick recently. Fires By e-Bike Firefighters from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station responded to the blaze on July 11th when a lithium-ion battery on an e-bike caught fire while charging in a bedroom. The occupant...