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Councils with a combination of ACM cladding and insulation on their high-rise blocks have already taken steps and put in measures to reassure residents about safety.

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 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

The fire and rescue service is shaking off its outdated image in a major drive to change the public's perception of firefighters, a new report outlines today.

"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."

"Fire and rescue services help and protect people from all walks of life and they should better reflect the diversity of the communities they serve."

Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responds to the announcement that the Government will pay for the replacement of flammable cladding on private tower blocks.

“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."

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.

“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."