London Fire Brigade has completed all of the actions required of it in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, delivering further improvements to organisational learning, firefighter communications and training.
The milestone builds on the Brigade's wider programme of reform following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. In 2024, London Fire Brigade completed every recommendation directed to it in the Inquiry's Phase 1 Report, introducing wide-ranging improvements across operational policies, incident command, training, emergency call handling, communications and equipment. The Phase 2 work strengthens those reforms by improving how the Brigade identifies and embeds lessons from operational incidents, enhancing firefighter communications and strengthening training to support safer and effective emergency responses.
A key part of this work has been transforming the Brigade's approach to organisational learning. Drawing on best practice from sectors including healthcare and aviation, the Brigade has introduced a more open and supportive learning culture, with new arrangements to ensure lessons from operational incidents, inquests and investigations are identified and put into practical improvements more quickly. Significant incidents are now prioritised so that risk-critical learning can be rapidly shared with operational staff, helping crews adapt to emerging risks and improve future emergency responses.
Alongside improvements to organisational learning, the Brigade has enhanced firefighter communications, including work to improve the resilience of radio communications at incidents, particularly in high-rise buildings, and strengthened training so firefighters can recover from the loss of communications. Training has also been enhanced to improve firefighters' understanding of water supply systems, hydrants and techniques for increasing water flow and pressure during major incidents.
Following Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry the Brigade made huge changes to policies, procedures and equipment, which have been accelerated thanks to the Mayor of London’s record investment which has ensured that London Fire Brigade is now better prepared, organised and equipped to fight fires and keep all Londoners safe.
New lifesaving equipment such as breathing apparatus with radios were introduced after the Phase 1 Report to allow crews to communicate faster in emergencies and boosted communications between London’s emergency services. The Brigade also has the tallest turntable ladders in Europe – standing at 64 metres high – and London Fire Brigade is now able to receive and store electronic building plans to support crews responding to critical incidents.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: "The Grenfell Tower tragedy was a profound moment for London Fire Brigade. We remember the 72 people who lost their lives, and our thoughts remain with the bereaved, survivors and everyone whose lives were changed forever by that night.
“Completing all the remaining recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is an important milestone for the Brigade. The changes that we have implemented mean that we are now better prepared to respond to incidents, and Londoners today are safer as a result. We will continue working with our partners across government and the fire and rescue sector to ensure the lessons of Grenfell are learnt and this continues to shape everything we do."
Notes to editors
- The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report made a number of recommendations to London Fire Brigade and the wider fire and rescue sector, including:
- One recommendation directed specifically to London Fire Brigade (113.58).
- Three recommendations directed to HMICFRS relating to London Fire Brigade (113.55, 113.56 and 113.57).
- Five recommendations directed to all fire and rescue services (113.59, 113.60, 113.61, 113.62 and 113.63).
- A number of wider findings and recommendations that may have implications for the Brigade in the short, medium and longer term.
- London Fire Brigade has now completed all actions required in response to the Phase 2 recommendations covering:
- Establishing more effective and streamlined arrangements for identifying, considering and implementing lessons learned from operational incidents, inquests and investigations;
- Improving the effectiveness of firefighters' radio communications, particularly in high-rise buildings, including consideration of higher-powered and digital radios;
- Enhancing firefighter training so crews understand how to recognise, respond to and recover from the loss of radio communications; and
- Strengthening training on water supply systems, hydrants and methods of increasing water flow and pressure during major incidents.
- Improved communication with water undertakers through new Local Agreements.
- The recommendation relating to organisational learning is owned by London Fire Brigade (113.58) and has now been completed.
- The remaining recommendations are owned nationally by the National Fire Chiefs Council. Although London Fire Brigade has completed all actions required of it, these recommendations will remain nationally in progress until the NFCC completes its work. The recommendation relating to water company communication protocols has already been reported as complete by the NFCC.
- London Fire Brigade will report its completed response through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress reporting process and to the Deputy Mayor for the Fire Service.