Inspection reveals progress in London Fire Brigade’s performance

The latest inspection of London Fire Brigade (LFB), conducted by HMICFRS, evaluated the organisation’s effectiveness, efficiency, and people management across 11 areas.

The report highlights advancements since the 2022 assessment but points to ongoing challenges.

The brigade was recognised for its robust response to emergencies, particularly major and multi-agency incidents, which received an outstanding grade.

Rapid response times and investments in training and equipment have strengthened its readiness.

However, gaps in fire safety regulation and workforce diversity remain.

Fire safety regulation and workforce diversity

The inspection found that the LFB has improved its ability to regulate fire safety but struggles to complete audits for high-risk premises due to staffing shortages.

Only 2.3% of known high-risk buildings were inspected in the year ending March 2023.

Efforts to diversify the workforce have not met targets.

Positive recruitment actions were noted, but the report highlighted a need for further progress to ensure the brigade reflects the communities it serves.

Cultural and operational advancements

The report acknowledged the progress LFB has made in improving workplace culture.

Defined values and efforts to rebuild trust were praised.

Cultural changes are supported by operational advancements, such as the implementation of the #ChargeSafe campaign to address risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.

Andy Roe, London Fire Commissioner, emphasised the role of collective efforts in these improvements: “None of this would have been possible without the dedication of everyone in the organisation and the unwavering support of the Mayor of London.”

Future focus and commitment

The inspection highlighted areas requiring continued attention, including quality assurance in fire safety audits, better staff training, and enhanced sharing of incident learnings.

Roe added: “The report highlights areas where we need to improve further.

“We are committed to maintaining our progress over future years, delivering further change, and ensuring that we provide the service that our staff and our communities deserve.”

London Fire Brigade report reveals progress and challenges in fire safety: Summary

The HMICFRS inspection of London Fire Brigade (LFB) for 2023–2025 details improvements in emergency response capabilities and cultural reforms while highlighting ongoing challenges in fire safety regulation and workforce diversity.

Recognised strengths include outstanding performance in multi-agency incident responses and effective prevention campaigns like #ChargeSafe.

Identified weaknesses include limited progress in fire safety audits for high-risk premises and challenges in recruiting a diverse workforce.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe affirmed the brigade’s commitment to ongoing improvement and delivering enhanced services for London’s communities.