London Fire Brigade (LFB) has published its response to the recommendations set out in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report published on 4 September 2024.
The Brigade has announced that it has accepted all of the recommendations directed to LFB and the fire and rescue services, with support for all 13 recommendations listed in the ‘London Fire Brigade’ section of the Phase 2 report.
One specific recommendation directed at the LFB is the creation of “robust systems to gather, review and implement lessons from previous incidents, inquests, and investigations”. The Brigade said it “fully accepts” the Inquiry panel’s recommendation and will ensure “lessons from incidents are understood and good practice is shared and applied across the Brigade”.
Three recommendations are directed at His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), calling for further inspections to be carried out at the Brigades Control room, incident commander training, and operational planning. Five recommendations for all fire and rescue services involve radio communications and water management at incidents.
The Phase 2 report also called for a College of Fire and Rescue “to set national standards” and the management of firefighter deployment, reviewing the “national arrangements for how firefighters carry out instructions during a live incident”.
“As the largest service which attends the most high-risk incidents, LFB is keen to take a leading role in supporting the NFCC [National Fire Chiefs Council] with the review and has already reached out to the NFCC to offer its assistance,” the Brigade said.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “Our thoughts are, and will always be, with the 72 people who tragically lost their lives, the survivors, their families, and the entire Grenfell community. The comprehensive recommendations outlined in the Phase 2 Report reflect not only the depth of this tragedy but also the complexity of its causes.
“We fully accept the recommendations of the Inquiry directed towards LFB and fire and rescue services. In recent weeks, I have been working closely with relevant community groups and key stakeholders to form our response, ensuring we continue on our path towards meaningful change. I am also committed to ongoing discussions with the Government to address the broader recommendations aimed at improving building safety standards.”
As previously reported by the FPA, in March 2024, LFB announced that it had completed all 29 of the recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Roe added: “This year, we have delivered against all the recommendations directed at us from the Inquiry's Phase 1 Report. These recommendations have been central to driving lasting institutional change across the Brigade.
“We have introduced important policies, new equipment, improved training, and ways of working, particularly in how we respond to fires in residential high-rise buildings. I expect the upcoming HMICFRS report will reflect the changes we have made, though we are far from complacent and know there is still much more to do.
“We will take the same approach to learning the lessons from Phase 2. We owe it to the bereaved, the survivors, the community, and our own staff to continue learning and changing the way we work to ensure that whatever situations we face ahead of us, we are equipped, trained, and ready to respond effectively.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “I was relentless in ensuring LFB implemented all the recommendations from the first phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which has meant the Brigade is now better prepared, organised, and equipped to fight fires and keep all Londoners safe. But it’s clear there is still more work to do. I will continue to support and hold the London Fire Commissioner to account to ensure the Brigade continues to improve its performance and standards so that we have the best possible fire service as we continue to build a safer London for everyone.”
You can view the full LFB response here.
(Photograph by the London Fire Brigade)