Fire services in the United Kingdom: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|British fire and rescue servicesnone}}

[[ImageFile:LFB Dual Pump Ladder IMG 7079.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|A fire engine of the [[London Fire Brigade]], the second-largest service in the country after the [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]]]]

EmergencyAs of 2023, emergency cover is provided by over49 fifty agencies. These are officially known as a '''fire and rescue service'services'' (FRS) which isin the termUK.<ref usedname="ONS inGeography modernGuide">{{cite legislation andweb by government departments.<ref>[http|url=https://wwwgeoportal.communitiesstatistics.gov.uk/index.asp?iddatasets/a-beginners-guide-to-uk-geography-2023/about |title=1123799A DepartmentBeginners forGuide Communitiesto andUK LocalGeography Government:(2023) Fire|author=<!--Not andstated--> Resilience|date=24 (accessedAugust 082023 Dec|website=Open 06)]Geography Portal {{webarchive|urlpublisher=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904180924/http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1123799Office for National Statistics |access-date=4 September9 2006December 2023}}</ref> The older terms of ''fire brigade'' and ''fire service'' survive in informal usage and in the names of a few organisations. England and Wales (and formerly Scotland) have local fire services which are each overseen by a [[fire authority]], which is made up of representatives of local governments. Fire authorities have the power to raise a [[Council Tax]] levy for funding, with the remainder coming from the government. Scotland and Northern Ireland have centralised fire services, and so their authorities are effectively committees of the devolved parliaments. The total budget for fire services in 2014-15 was £2.9 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/446716/50600_PESA_2015_PRINT.pdf |title=UK Government spending |page=69}}</ref>

Central government maintains national standards and a body of independent advisers through the [[Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser]], which was created in 2007, while [[HerHis Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]] provides direct oversight. The devolved government in Scotland has a similar agency, [[HMFSI Scotland]].

* 1938: [[Fire Brigades Act 1938]] ([[1 & 2 Geo. 6]]. c. 72). This Act (which is no longer in force) provided for centralised co-ordination of fire brigades in Great Britain and made it mandatory for local authorities to arrange an effective fire service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2002/04/sfsf/3|title=The Scottish Fire Service of The Future|first=St Andrew's House|last=Scottish Government|date=29 April 2002|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

In 2002, there was a series of national [[UK Firefighter dispute 2002/2003|fire strikes]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2455835.stm|title=Countdown to fire strike|date=13 November 2002|access-date=25 March 2018|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2474783.stm|title=In pictures: Fire strike in London|date=14 November 2002|access-date=25 March 2018|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> with much of the discontent caused by the aforementioned report into the fire service conducted by Prof Sir George Bain. In December 2002, the [[Independent Review of the Fire Service]] was published with the industrial action still ongoing; it made radical proposals to how the fire service should be organised and managed. Bain's report ultimately led to a change in the laws relating to firefighting.

''"{{cquote|The aim of the Fire Modernisation Programme is to adopt modern work practices within the Fire & Rescue Service to become more efficient and effective, while strengthening the contingency and resilience of the Service to react to incidents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lga.gov.uk/ProjectHome.asp?ccat=958|title=LGA: Fire Service Modernisation|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040816090734/http://www.lga.gov.uk/ProjectHome.asp?ccat=958|archive-date=16 August 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

''{{cquote|The Communities and Local Government Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for Communities and Local Government and its associated bodies.''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmcomloc/872/872i.pdf|title=House of Commons Communities & Local Govt Committee Fire & Rescue Service, Fourth Report of Session 2005–06, Volume I: introduction|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>}}

Called to give evidence were Councillors [[Brian Coleman]] and James Pearson from the [[Local Government Association]]. Also giving evidence [[Matt Wrack]] from the [[Fire Brigades Union]] and John Bonney [[Chief Fire Officers Association]]. The second session heard evidence from [[Shahid Malik]] MP Fire Minister, Sir [[Ken Knight]] [[Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser]], Shona Dunn Director for Fire and Resilience Department for Communities and Local Government, [[Robin Southwell]] CEO and Roger Diggle Project Director [[EADS]]. The committee was chaired by Dr [[Phyllis Starkey]] MP and attracted significant media attention.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/02_03_10_fo4_ict.pdf |title= FILE ON 4 |publisher=BBC |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/03/19/fbu-denounces-failing-fire-control-project-as-%E2%80%98the-worst-ever%E2%80%99/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630082057/http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/03/19/fbu-denounces-failing-fire-control-project-as-%E2%80%98the-worst-ever%E2%80%99/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2012 |title=FBU denounces failing fire control project as 'the worst ever' |publisher=tribunemagazine.co.uk |date=19 March 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1202481_blast_for_999_centre_delays |title= Blast for 999 centre delays |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/fsc32010 |title=FRS Circular 3/2010 - Fire and Resilience Programme Highlights - January/February 2010 |publisher=department of communities and local government |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=17 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606181416/http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/fsc32010 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref>

* 2012: [[Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012]], creating a single [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]] with effect from 1 April 2013

The fire service has always been the ultimate responsibility of a government department, historically assisted by an executive agency called [[Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser|HerHis Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate]] or HMFSI,<ref>[http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1124257 Dept for Communities and Local Govt, HMFSI] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205103342/http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1124257 |date=5 February 2007 }}</ref> its function was described thus:

In May 2006, the ODPM was re-structured, creating the [[Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government|Department for Communities and Local Government]] (CLG), and it became the central government department for fire authorities in England,<ref>[http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1123799 Dept for Communities and Local Government] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904180924/http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1123799 |date=4 September 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fire.gov.uk/|title=Fire prevention and rescue – GOV.UK|website=www.fire.gov.uk|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> but would be advised by a new department under the direction of the [[Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser]]. The department became the [[Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government]] (MHCLG) in 2018, and then [[Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities]] in September 2021.

The fire service minister is the most senior politician whose brief directly includes fire and rescue issues in England and Wales, other parts of the UK never having had the matter specifically under the control of a UK minister in peacetime. The fire service minister is not part of the prime minister's cabinet. The post is held by a junior minister or [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] who reports to the Secretary of State for HousingLevelling Up, CommunitiesHousing and Local GovernmentCommunities, who takes ultimate responsibility for fire and rescue, but that is part of a much wider brief.

* [[RobertMichael JenrickGove]]: Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

The next level beneath that of local authority, is a brigade which usually comes under the operational command of a high ranking senior officer. Traditionally [[Chiefchief Firefire Officerofficer]]s have risen through the ranks from firefighter, although under modernisation plans brigades can now operate graduate entry, and fast track promotion as is already the case with the [[armed forces]] and the [[police]]. The London Fire Brigade announced details of its graduate scheme in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lfbgraduates.co.uk/|title=London Fire Brigade: Graduates (accessed 03 Jul 07)|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708204408/http://www.lfbgraduates.co.uk/|archive-date=8 July 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Chief Fire Officers (CFO) 'speak' collectively via the [[Chief Fire Officers Association]].

Except for the period when the [[National Fire Service]] existed, matters concerning fire fighting fell within the remit of the Scottish Office (later the Scottish Executive, now the [[Scottish Government]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/Fire/15130/1026|title=HMFSI: Scottish Executive|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> In Scotland, [[HerHis Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland]] (commonly known HMFSI) exists to inspect the fire service to ascertain how they are discharging their functions under relevant legislation.<!-- Dead link removed - - unsure what it was supposed to be [http://www.grampianfrs.org.uk/subdreamer/index.php?categoryid=64] -->

Responsibility for fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety in Wales lies with the Welsh Government.<ref>Schedule 7 Government of Wales Act 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/safety/fire/?lang=en|title=Welsh Government - Topics|website=new.wales.gov.uk|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=8 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608222514/http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/safety/fire/?lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{main|HerHis Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services}}

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, fire services are inspected by what was known as the Fire Service Inspectorate. In February 2007, the government announced it was establishing a new unit to provide ministers and civil servants with "independent professional advice on fire and rescue issues". It is headed by a new role known as the [[Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser]]. The roles carries the historical function of HerHis Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate. The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser is also titled HerHis Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services. Its role (among others) is to work towards reducing the number of fire deaths in England and Wales, and implement changes to FRS required by the [[Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004]].<ref name="rel">Department for Communities and Local Government, News Release 022, ''New Advisory Unit for Fire and Rescue Services to be Set Up'', 8 February 2007</ref>

In Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is inspected by HerHis Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland.

*Watch commander or watch officer (sometimesformerly [[Station Officer#United Kingdom|Stationstation Officerofficer]], still used in the London Fire Brigade)

*[[Sub-Officer#UK Fire and Rescue Services|Sub-Officerofficer]]

*''Divisional officer''': formerly a rank used by [[fire department|fire brigades]] in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.firesafe.org.uk/html/geninfo/ranks.htm |title=UK Firesafe Organisation |access-date=6 February 2022 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206070418/https://www.firesafe.org.uk/role-structure-in-the-british-fire-service/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|[[South Wales Fire and Rescue Service]] || [[Blaenau Gwent]], [[Bridgend (county borough)|Bridgend]], [[Caerphilly (county borough)|Caerphilly]], [[Cardiff]], [[Merthyr Tydfil County Borough|Merthyr Tydfil]], [[Monmouthshire]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Rhondda Cynon Taff|Rhondda Cynon Taf]], [[Torfaen]], [[Vale of Glamorgan]]

Private airport fire services in the UK protect all categories of airports and aerodromes. They are usually referred to as [[Airport rescue and firefighting services in the United Kingdom|Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS)]], or by the internationally recognised term [[Aircraft rescue and firefighting|Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)]]. One of the biggest aviation fire services is operated by [[BAA Limited|BAA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=ab6043aa0ac72010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&ChID=6cd1844f76a32010VgnVCM100000147e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&ChPath=Home%5ECorporate%5EAbout+BAA%5EWho+does+what%5EFire+service|title=Heathrow: Corporate site - Our company, your airport|website=www.baa.com|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=e6acd02e9c1ee010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____&ChID=bf4bd02e9c1ee010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____&Ct=B2C_CT_GENERAL&CtID=448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&ChPath=Home%5ECorporate%5ETalking+Points%5EBehind+the+scenes%5EFighting+fires|title=Heathrow: Corporate site - Our company, your airport|website=www.baa.com|access-date=25 March 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Non-BAA airports operate their own fire services to comply with legislation which states that airports must be provided with RFFS. One such example is [[London City Airport]]; its website describes the principal objective of an airport fire and rescue service: "as to save lives in the event of an aircraft accident or incident".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcacc.org/operations/fire.html|title=London City Airport Consultative Committee, Fire and Rescue Service (accessed 16 Feb 2007)|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221220402/http://www.lcacc.org/operations/fire.html|archive-date=21 February 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The number and type of firefighting appliances based at an airport will be determined by the airport's category.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fireservice.co.uk/articles/aviation.php|title=Fire Service: Aviation firefighting (accessed 12 Oct 07)|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010132035/http://www.fireservice.co.uk/articles/aviation.php|archive-date=10 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Airports in the UK are categorised from 1 to 10. A category 10 airport caters for the biggest aircraft; the standards are determined by the [[United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority|Civil Aviation Authority]].

As a general rule the RAF personnel cover runways or airfields with particular expertise in defusing aircraft munitions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/firefighter.cfm|title=RAF Recruitment - Home|website=www.raf.mod.uk|access-date=25 March 2018|archive-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206022512/http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/firefighter.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the civilians covering domestic sites, but there were cross overs and both services could be called to airfield and domestic situations.

[[Sellafield]] and someall otheroperational [[nuclear power station]] operators have their own on-site fire service which is required by law under site nuclear licensing conditions.

*[[Fire Appliancesappliances ofin the United Kingdom]]

* [{{official website|https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk}} Website of the– National Fire Chiefs Council]