There are many more hard miles to cover in delivering the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, but we all have a responsibility within the fire safety sector to work together across the system – as well as with government – to deliver success as quickly as possible.
Our work on the Fire Chain illustrates the complexity of the fire safety ecosystem in the UK that involves multiple stakeholders across many different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, insurance and fire and rescue, to name but a few. Historically, these have been seen as different sectors and have often operated in silos, with differing drivers and priorities.
At the same time, government has operated in a similarly uncoordinated fashion, without joining up fire safety needs across the many ministerial portfolios that it transcends. Indeed, responsibility for fire and rescue has been pinged between departments with regularity. While the current administration is now reorganising to more effectively address fire safety there are many officials for whom the issues are new, and the learning curve is steep.
Bridging the gap between these groups is critical.
Collaboration leads to more consistent application of standards, informed policy development, and a shared responsibility for public safety. When industry and government work hand in hand, the result is not just better legislation, but better implementation and appropriate and proportionate enforcement.
The Fire Sector Confederation has long championed the idea that effective fire safety depends on a united front. As a charitable organisation bringing together a wide range of fire safety stakeholders, the Confederation acts as a bridge between industry expertise and government decision making.
The Confederation’s latest initiative, the National Fire Congress, exemplifies this mission. With its inaugural meeting scheduled to take place in the summer, it provides a space where the key stakeholders across the complex fire safety system can engage with government in meaningful, structured dialogue. It aims to establish a consensus on key issues, identify gaps in policy or practice and create unified recommendations for improvement.
The creation of the Congress is a pivotal moment in the UK’s approach to fire safety governance. Its key goals include:
Fostering Coherent Dialogue: Breaking down barriers between government and the fire safety system by encouraging open, transparent discussions on shared challenges and opportunities.
Establishing National Priorities: Working collectively to define and refine the most urgent fire safety priorities across the country.
Driving Policy Influence: Providing government with a consolidated industry voice, offering expert insight that supports the development of effective legislation and regulation.
Promoting Innovation and Best Practice: Sharing the latest research, technology and strategies for enhancing fire prevention and response.
Ensuring Accountability and Follow-Up: Crating mechanisms to monitor progress on initiatives discussed and ensure commitments are translated into action.
The National Fire Congress represents a vital step towards creating a safer, more resilient society. It sends a clear signal that fire safety is not the sole responsibility of any one group, but a collective duty that demands a coordinated approach.
With the Congress as one of its central pillars, alongside its Special Interest Networks and National Fire Safety Strategy Board, the Confederation is not only fostering better engagement but also helping to shape a national strategy that reflects the complexity and urgency of modern fire safety challenges.
Steve McGuirk, Executive Director, Fire Sector Confederation