The consultation for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Middle Leadership Programme (MLP) is now open. The programme will form the next stage of an aligned and consistent leadership development pathway for the fire sector.

MLP aims naturally provide the progression from the NFCC Supervisory Leadership Development Programme (SLDP), launched in September 2022, to the NFCC Executive Leadership Programme (ELP), whilst creating links to other relevant NFCC products.  

The development of the programme will also be aligned to the Leadership and People Fire Standards: Leading and Developing People and Leading the Service, the Code of Ethics Fire Standard, and all relevant Fire Standards to provide further assurance that it is meeting the desired outcomes and benefits.  

NFCC said that Middle Leadership can be seen as one of the most demanding and challenging leadership roles within the fire sector. The gap between supervisory and middle leadership can be vast and challenging, with the role requiring a variety of additional new knowledge and skills.  

By creating a national programme that equips middle leaders with the right tools, NFCC hopes to develop confident leaders that can influence change; recognising that change, culture and leadership can mutually influence one another.    

This consultation is open to all fire and rescue service colleagues to help shape a national middle leadership programme that is endorsed by the sector.  

Closing on Wednesday 22 February 2023, the consultation can be accessed here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/the-development-of-the-NFCC-Middle-Leadership-Programme-survey-Jan23/