Reshaping the future of fire services
As Vice-Chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee, I first want to thank Cllr Frank Biederman, our outgoing Chair, for his work over the past two years and for leading the LGA’s work around fire.
I wanted to look to the year ahead for the fire sector, which is going to be one of opportunity and challenge.
The new Government has been clear that reform of the fire service is on its agenda, which is positive and something for which the LGA has called.
However, in tandem with wider discussions around devolution, and fire and rescue authorities’ place within any new devolution framework, there is some uncertainty about what the future will hold. Funding for fire services is another source of uncertainty and continues to be a major challenge.
The LGA, alongside the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), is calling for greater financial stability to allow fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) to adequately plan and invest in local services and estates, and ensure they are fit for the future.
Governance and FRA members’ role in scrutiny and holding senior leaders to account are things government and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) are looking at closely.
This comes after a number of media stories, inspections, independent reviews and inquiries over the past few years, which have all highlighted examples of poor behaviour, bullying and harassment in the fire and rescue sector.
Dame Diana Johnson DBE, Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Reduction – who was previously Chair of the Commons’ Home Affairs Select Committee when it was undertaking an inquiry into culture in fire and rescue services – has been clear about the importance of FRAs, saying they have a “crucial role to play in ensuring that leaders are held to account for their behaviour”.
Members of FRAs, through our governance role, are absolutely vital to driving change and ensuring that services are running effectively: I encourage members to think about this and how to demonstrate that we are doing it.
There is a host of information and resources on the LGA’s website to support councillors in their roles as FRA members.
The LGA also holds events, such as Leadership Essentials, a training programme for FRA members, as well as our flagship annual fire conference and exhibition, which this year takes place from 11-12 March in Gateshead.
The theme of this year’s conference will be ‘The future of the fire sector: opportunities and challenges’, and we are delighted that Building Safety Minister Alex Norris MP has been confirmed as a keynote speaker. We will also hear from a range of experts, including from HMICFRS and NFCC, on topics including extreme weather, devolution, finance and building safety – all of which will give attendees a grounding in current issues in the fire sector.
The LGA’s fire conference is also an excellent way to network with other FRA members and chief fire officers, and to explore exhibitors’ stands. We hope to see many of you in Gateshead in March.
- As first was going to press, Cllr Wendy Maples was confirmed as the new Chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee. Book your place at the LGA’s annual fire conference in Gateshead, from 11-12 March. Find out more about the LGA’s support for the fire and rescue service.