The London Assembly Fire Committee met on Tuesday 1 July 2025 to discuss the priorities for the new London Fire Commissioner (LFC) and the risks faced by firefighters. Key discussions focused on implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, addressing evolving risks such as lithium-ion battery fires and wildfires, and improving the culture and operational effectiveness of the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

Priorities for the New London Fire Commissioner

The committee engaged in a comprehensive discussion with various experts and stakeholders to outline the priorities for the new London Fire Commissioner (LFC), Jonathan Smith, who was attending his first day in the role. A central theme was the need for the LFB to continue implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) and to foster long-term cultural and operational changes beyond mere compliance. Professor José Torero, an expert witness at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, stressed the importance of the LFB understanding and prioritising the technical nuances of the built environment, warning that failure to adapt would leave the service overtaken by the changes in technology. Suzanne McCarthy, Independent Chair of the Fire Standards Board (FSB), highlighted the relevance of specific fire standards, including those for Fire Control, Fire Investigation, and Emergency Preparedness, while also emphasising the interconnectedness of all 19 standards for enhancing professionalism. Steve Hamm, Chief Executive Officer of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), focused on the LFB's personnel, advocating for enhanced knowledge and understanding of building safety issues for key decision-making roles and building upon existing relationships with professional bodies.

A significant challenge identified was the critical shortage of Fire Safety Engineers. Steve Hamm noted that traditional higher education pathways are lengthy, and the number of high-quality fire engineering degree courses is woefully inadequate. Professor Torero argued that the lack of a pipeline stems from a fundamental lack of care for technical knowledge within the fire brigades and the construction industry, stating, The objective has always been to have our building approved. That is all that we have wanted to do.

The LFC's role in supporting the Building Safety Regulator's (BSR) multidisciplinary teams was also discussed. Professor Torero stated that the BSR and the fire service are where the buck stops, setting minimum standards for competency. He urged the new LFC to push very strongly towards giving the necessary priority to the technical competency to ensure consistency with the BSR's requirements. Steve Hamm emphasised the importance of external stakeholder engagement, particularly with the developing BSR, and ensuring the LFB's voice is heard within the broader building safety agenda.

Evolving risks, including those posed by climate change, were a major focus. Steve Hamm highlighted energy storage systems and batteries as significant challenges, noting that the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) needs to develop its operational capability to deal with emerging energy storage methods. Professor Torero agreed, stressing that technical competency must be addressed now due to the rapid acceleration of changes in areas like lithium-ion batteries and modern construction methods. Both experts also discussed the increasing threat of wildfires and floods. Professor Torero argued that these are not solely response issues but require a combination of preparedness and urban planning, warning that a failure to integrate risk assessment into city development creates unmanageable problems. Léonie Cooper AM proposed establishing a dedicated group, similar to the London Surface Water Strategic Group, to address wildfire preparedness.

The discussion also touched upon the use of research and data. Professor Torero expressed frustration at the enormous gap between research and practice, stating that nobody cares about technical knowledge, leading to a neglect of scientific advancements. He lamented that the research community in fire safety has been slowly killed due to a lack of importance placed on technical knowledge. Steve Hamm highlighted the potential for external engagement with industry bodies like the Fire Industries Association (FIA) to drive operational capability development.

The role of the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) and the disciplinary process was a significant point of discussion during Panel Two. Martin Forde KC, Independent Chair of the London Fire Brigade Advisory Panel, expressed concerns about the disciplinary process, particularly regarding its interface with HR and health issues. He advocated for clearer indicative sanctions guidance to ensure consistent outcomes and reduce concerns about differential treatment based on protected characteristics. David Shek, Executive Council Member for London, Fire Brigades Union (FBU), echoed these concerns, noting that their own report indicated disproportionate disciplinary action against Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) members. Both Forde KC and Shek highlighted issues with the timeliness and perceived independence of the PSU, with some firefighters viewing it as a mere rebranding of previous processes.

The Babcock contract for training services was also a recurring topic. While the LFC committed to seeking independent advice and sharing the contract, where possible, with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the Committee, concerns were raised about its length and potential penalties for bringing training in-house. The FBU stated they had never seen a copy of the contract.

The new LFC, Jonathan Smith, outlined his vision for the LFB to be the best FRS in the UK, if not Europe, emphasising the need for quality training to address complex risks such as lithium-ion batteries, climate change, and terrorism. He highlighted the significant improvements in the London Operations Centre, calling it the best fire Control Room in the country, and stressed the importance of replicating this success across the organisation. Smith also committed to ensuring the LFB's voice is central to national discussions through the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and his role as Chair of the National Security Board. He stressed the need for increased government funding and a collaborative approach to research and development, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and new firefighting technologies.

The issue of equipment provision, particularly for diverse crews, was raised. David Shek noted ongoing problems with breathing apparatus (BA) boards and the need for improved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially for female firefighters. He also highlighted concerns about the Babcock contract and the potential benefits of bringing training in-house. Martin Forde KC added that issues with facilities, such as shower areas in older fire stations, also impact morale.

The LFC acknowledged that the current gender balance within operational firefighting is not good enough and committed to a more strategic approach to attracting and retaining women in the LFB. He also addressed concerns about institutional racism, misogyny, and homophobia, stating that while progress has been made, more work is needed, particularly in addressing microaggressions within Watch culture and ensuring adequate training on issues like Islamophobia.

Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, confirmed that representations are being made to the government for increased funding for the LFB, noting that the GLA already provides approximately £30 million above the base funding received from the government. He also highlighted the opportunity to work more closely with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) following its recent reforms.

The committee also discussed the London Plan consultation documents in relation to wildfires and floods, with the Deputy Mayor acknowledging the need for closer collaboration between planning and LFB colleagues to inform the approach to the built environment.

The LFC reiterated his commitment to protecting the frontline, including firefighter numbers and fire stations, and stated that the LFB cannot afford to reduce its size given the challenges of operating in a global city. He also confirmed a commitment to a balanced budget.

Arson Incidents Across London

The Fire Committee expressed deep concern regarding a significant and sustained increase in arson incidents across London between 2022 and 2024. Data presented showed that, with the exception of four boroughs, arson incidents rose across the capital. The Committee called for increased support for a pan-London, data-led collaborative response, recommending that the Mayor convene an 'Arson Task Group' involving the LFB, London Boroughs, and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to develop partnerships and assess emerging risks. They also recommended that the GLA consolidate arson data to create borough-specific heat maps to inform risk prevention work. The MPS confirmed they collect data under Home Office offence codes for arson and work with the LFB through the Firesetters Intervention Scheme, noting that the threshold for arrest is lower than for charging.

The Risk of Firefighters' Exposure to Contaminants and Its Impact on Their Health and Wellbeing

The committee received a report outlining the risks of firefighters' exposure to hazardous contaminants, including 'forever chemicals', which research commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union suggests increases the risk of cancer and poor mental health among firefighters. The report noted the LFB's duty under health and safety legislation to control exposure and the introduction of new British standards for cleaning firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in August 2024. The committee planned to explore these risks and the LFB's response with invited experts, including Professor Anna Stec and Dr Alberto Caban-Martinez.

Fire Committee Work Programme

The Fire Committee's work programme for 2025/26 was noted, with scheduled meetings focusing on Firefighters Physical Health and Wellbeing – Part 2 on 2 December 2025.

Actions Taken Under Delegated Authority

The committee noted actions taken by the Chair under delegated authority, including a letter to the Mayor of London regarding arson offences and letters to the LFC and Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service outlining key priorities for the new LFC. These actions were taken following discussions at previous committee meetings.

The committee also noted additional correspondence, including a response from the Metropolitan Police Service regarding arson, a letter to the LFC concerning National Framework Documents, and correspondence from the LFC's office regarding decontaminants and the role of the new Independent Chair of Professional Standards.