Grenfell Tower Phase 2 report sees response from fire industry bodies

National Fire Chiefs Council highlights ongoing impact

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has responded to the publication of the Grenfell Tower Phase 2 report.

Chair Mark Hardingham expressed the continued reflection of the fire service on the tragic loss of 72 lives during the Grenfell Tower fire.

Hardingham said: “The 72 people who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire are at the forefront of our minds as we read today’s report.”

He acknowledged the bravery of first responders, describing the scenes they encountered as “indescribably harrowing.”

The NFCC stressed that while improvements have been made, there is still more to do, with fire services today being better prepared for high-rise fires.

The NFCC also committed to considering all recommendations in the report to ensure reforms are implemented through collaboration with government and other stakeholders.

Institution of Fire Engineers supports report’s global impact

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) acknowledged the report’s significance for fire safety professionals both in the UK and internationally.

The IFE noted that the report’s findings would play a critical role in shaping global fire safety practices.

In their statement, the IFE said: “The report has significant relevance to the institution’s members both in the UK and internationally where recommendations from the report will shape and impact on fire safety practices worldwide.”

The institution announced plans to host a discussion event in October to unite fire safety leaders in the UK.

This initiative aims to assess the report’s recommendations and explore ways to implement these findings to improve fire safety practices.

Fire Brigades Union urges for regulatory reform

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), through General Secretary Matt Wrack, expressed solidarity with the victims of Grenfell and highlighted the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy.

Wrack stressed the deregulation of building safety as a key cause, criticising the government’s failure to act on safety concerns.

“The fire was the result of decades of failure by central government to regulate the building industry – the prioritisation of private profit over human life,” Wrack stated.

He also underscored that firefighters were put in “an impossible position” and called for a reversal of deregulation policies.

The FBU also pushed for national standards in fire services across the UK to prevent a similar tragedy.

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health calls for accountability

Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), raised concerns about the lack of accountability highlighted in the Grenfell Inquiry report.

She stated that the findings revealed a “flagrant disregard of safety from those involved” and called for immediate action to prevent another such incident.

Wilkinson said: “What we now must make sure of is that there is never a repeat of that awful night in June 2017.”

She criticised the slow progress on addressing unsafe buildings and urged the government to prioritise safety in its housing plans.

IOSH also called for ensuring that building regulators are adequately resourced to manage future safety challenges effectively.

Fire Sector Federation focuses on collective responsibility

The Fire Sector Federation (FSF) welcomed the publication of the report and emphasised the shared responsibility to ensure that lessons from the Grenfell tragedy lead to meaningful change.

The FSF underscored the importance of translating the report’s recommendations into effective fire safety policies.

“We all continue to bear a heavy responsibility to the victims and their families that the lessons of the tragedy… are learned and lead to meaningful change that will honour their memory,” the FSF stated.

The federation committed to reviewing the report and working to develop policies aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Grenfell Tower Phase 2 report sees response from fire industry bodies: Summary

The Grenfell Tower Phase 2 report has prompted reactions from key fire safety organisations.

The NFCC reiterated its commitment to learning from the tragedy and improving fire safety practices.

The IFE highlighted the global significance of the report and pledged to engage fire safety leaders in implementing the recommendations.

The FBU called for regulatory reform, blaming decades of government failures for the disaster.

IOSH raised concerns about the lack of accountability and called for more robust safety standards, while the FSF emphasised the collective responsibility to prevent future tragedies and to honour the memory of the victims.