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Cllr Ian Stephens, Chair of the Fire Services Management Committee at the Local Government Association, responds to the major incidents declared by Fire and Rescue Services.

Cllr Ian Stephens, Chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee responds to the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Services Management Committee State of Fire report.

Developed in consultation with the sector, the Core Code is designed to help employees of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) act in the best way towards each other and while serving the public. It will sit alongside the Code of Ethics Fire Standard developed by the Fire Standards Board.

“We are disappointed that the Government is looking to mandate transfers of fire governance to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), but we are glad to have an opportunity to feed into the consultation on transferring governance to PCCs."

“The report rightly highlights the important work of the fire sector in responding to the pandemic. Fire authorities are proud of their work in responding to the pandemic and supporting their communities. I also want to thank all those firefighters and other staff who volunteer to help save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS."

"This fund is good news to help address the ongoing costs to leaseholders of waking watches and reflects what the LGA has long-called for."

"The LGA shares the Committee’s view that three years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the remediation of dangerous buildings is proceeding too slowly. Social landlords have been quick to address the issue, but progress in the private sector has been unacceptably slow."

Following the unprecedented Agreement reached on 26 March between the Fire Service National Employers, National Fire Chiefs Council and Fire Brigades Union, it has today been agreed to add a further three areas of work to reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required. Firefighters will be able to: Assist in taking samples for COVID-19 antigen testing Drive ambulance transport not on blue-lights (excluding known COVID-19 patients) to outpatient appointments or to receive urgent care Provide driving Instruction by FRS driver trainers to deliver training for

For the first time, all three stakeholder groups have agreed a joint national approach to the crisis. The fire service organisations say that the measures in the agreement reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required. Under the agreement, firefighters will be able to:  Deliver essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people Drive ambulances and assist ambulance staff Retrieve dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties Firefighters will continue responding to core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions, but under

“The LGA has been calling for councils and fire services to be given effective powers and meaningful sanctions to ensure residents are safe – and feel safe - in their homes."