Progress on Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations assessed by HMICFRS

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has provided an update on fire and rescue services’ (FRSs) implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations.

The update follows the inspectorate’s third round of FRS inspections, which reviewed 25 of England’s 44 services on their adherence to key recommendations aimed at improving response to high-rise incidents.

The findings highlight progress in training, communication, and evacuation procedures, while identifying challenges in record-keeping and the use of electronic systems.

HMICFRS’s letter, dated 12 February 2025, was sent to the Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, with copies to relevant officials.

The inspectorate states that while improvements have been made, further action is required to ensure consistency in implementation across all services.

Findings from recent inspections

HMICFRS reported that all 25 services inspected had adopted policies for managing multiple fire survival guidance (FSG) calls and for transitioning from a “stay put” to a “get out” strategy.

Control room operators generally felt confident in handling high call volumes, supported by the buddy system that links fire control teams across services.

The report also found that all inspected services had provided training on external cladding fire risks.

However, inconsistencies were noted in staff comprehension, with some personnel unable to demonstrate an understanding of fire spread in high-rise buildings.

Regarding electronic systems for managing FSG information, only 11 of the 25 services had implemented such technology, with others relying on manual methods.

HMICFRS identified cases where a lack of coordination led to miscommunication, potentially affecting incident response efficiency.

Challenges in training and communication

HMICFRS highlighted concerns about the effectiveness of training in some services.

While all services provided training on managing evacuation strategy changes, issues included incomplete attendance, lack of confidence among control room staff, and inadequate central coordination.

Some services also struggled to maintain training records.

For digital floor plans, the inspection found that some services had outdated or inaccessible records, limiting their usefulness for incident commanders and control room staff.

The report recommends improvements in data management to ensure critical information is readily available during emergencies.

Future inspections and Phase 2 recommendations

HMICFRS confirmed that its next inspection round, covering 2025 to 2027, will continue to assess FRSs’ progress on the Phase 1 recommendations.

It will also incorporate aspects of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, published in September 2024.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has been tasked with monitoring FRSs’ self-reported progress on all Phase 1 recommendations.

HMICFRS will maintain a general assessment approach rather than conducting detailed verification of each service’s implementation.

The Multi-Agency Incident Transfer system, intended to improve information sharing between control rooms, has made national-level progress, but local implementation challenges remain.

HMICFRS states that additional resources and commitment from fire services will be necessary for full adoption.

HMICFRS assesses fire services’ progress on Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations: Summary

HMICFRS has reviewed 25 of England’s 44 fire and rescue services on their implementation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations.

The findings indicate progress in training, communication, and policy development, but highlight inconsistencies in electronic systems, record-keeping, and staff understanding of high-rise fire risks.

All inspected services have adopted policies for handling multiple FSG calls and transitioning from a “stay put” to a “get out” strategy.

However, gaps remain in the effectiveness of training and coordination across services.

Only 11 out of 25 services have implemented electronic systems for managing FSG information.

Future inspections, scheduled between 2025 and 2027, will continue to monitor these areas, while also addressing elements of the Phase 2 recommendations.

HMICFRS notes that successful implementation of key systems, such as the Multi-Agency Incident Transfer system, will require additional resources and commitment from fire services.