The Fire Committee meeting on Tuesday 17 March 2026 focused on a question and answer session with the London Fire Commissioner and the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service. Key discussions included progress on the recommendations from the Nazir Afzal review into the Brigade's culture, the growing issue of lithium-ion battery fires, and the wellbeing of firefighters, particularly concerning exposure to contaminants and mental health support.

Progress on the Nazir Afzal Review and Organisational Culture

London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith reported positive progress on the recommendations from the Nazir Afzal review, citing a reduction in bullying, harassment, and discrimination figures between 2024 and 2025. He noted that these statistics compare favourably to other fire and rescue services nationally and that His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) had lifted the Brigade out of engaged measures. The Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, Jules Pipe CBE, echoed this sentiment, describing the progress as unexpectedly good but acknowledging there is still a fair way to go.

Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE raised concerns about the lack of a dedicated follow-up review of the Nazir Afzal report's recommendations, drawing a comparison to the Metropolitan Police's approach. Commissioner Smith explained that while HMICFRS inspections would cover the Brigade's culture and leadership, they would not specifically evaluate the 23 recommendations from the Afzal review. He stated that the Brigade is not short of scrutiny, with various panels and committees providing oversight, and that the focus would be on the upcoming HMICFRS inspection.

The committee also discussed the declaration of Freemasonry membership. Commissioner Smith confirmed that the Brigade's legal team was reviewing the outcomes of the judicial review into the Metropolitan Police's decision on this matter and that he was committed to strengthening the Brigade's declarations of interest policy if legally advised to do so.

Niran Mothada, the Independent Chair of the Professional Standards Unit (PSU), outlined his priorities, which include scrutinising the PSU's performance, ensuring its independence, and fostering trust within the organisation. He acknowledged that while data is important, the ultimate goal is to ensure that changes are felt within the organisation. He also confirmed that a 10-point plan had been agreed, with trust being a top priority.

Lithium-ion Battery Fires and Product Safety

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the escalating issue of fires involving e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries. Commissioner Smith highlighted the extraordinary increase in such fires, from 20 in 2020 to over 200 in the previous year. He stressed the need for government consultation on secondary legislation to improve product safety and regulate the industry, particularly online sales. Deputy Commissioner Sutcliffe had met with a minister to urge for this legislation and subsequent guidance to be brought forward quickly.

The tragic death of Sophia Durata from a converted e-bike fire in an HMO on Old Kent Road was also discussed. Commissioner Smith confirmed that an investigation into the entire case was ongoing and that he was awaiting a full report before discussing it further.

Regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), the Committee heard that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) works closely with local authorities on regulation, but that HMO licensing is primarily the responsibility of local authorities. The Brigade's fire protection teams have competing demands, but will focus on areas where concerns are identified.

The recent fire in a vape shop in Glasgow, which required a significant firefighter response, was also mentioned as a stark reminder of the risks associated with lithium batteries. Deputy Commissioner Sutcliffe confirmed a review of the LFB's position on vape shops was underway, and an operational improvement note would be issued to crews regarding the risks associated with vapes and the mini lithium-ion batteries they contain.

Firefighter Wellbeing and Exposure to Contaminants

The wellbeing of London's firefighters was a central theme, with discussions covering exposure to fire contaminants and mental health support. The Committee's report, Exposure to Fire Contaminants in London: A Hidden Growing Risk? , was noted, along with a letter to the London Fire Commissioner regarding firefighter wellbeing.

Commissioner Smith acknowledged the emerging research linking firefighting to an increased risk of cancer, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC) designation of firefighting as carcinogenic. He highlighted the LFB's Fire Contaminants Policy, published in 2022, as a significant step forward in managing these risks. However, the Committee's report made several recommendations, including the establishment of a UK-wide firefighter exposure and health monitoring programme by 2027, and a pilot exposure monitoring programme for operational firefighters in London.

The availability and management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were also discussed, with reference to recent shortages and the need for future-proofed contracts that account for increased cleaning frequency and higher stock levels. The Committee recommended that the LFB update its Fire Station Design Standards to reflect the Fire Contaminants Policy and minimise cross-contamination risks.

On mental health, the Committee heard that while LFB's wellbeing support has improved significantly, there is still a desire among firefighters for more mental health training. Dr Carolina Campodonico's research indicated that over three-quarters of firefighters are interested in further training. The Committee recommended that LFB explore the 'IGLOO' framework (Individual, Group, Leader, Organisation, Outside) to strengthen its wellbeing strategy, with a particular focus on peer-to-peer support.

Dean Corney, founder of Walk and Talk 999, shared his experiences and the importance of peer support groups for emergency service personnel. The Committee praised his voluntary work and highlighted the need for LFB's strategies to incorporate and signpost such valuable initiatives.

Other Matters Discussed

The Committee also touched upon the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), with Commissioner Smith acknowledging that the target for online fire safety checker triage had been over-ambitious and was under review. He confirmed that planning for the next CRMP would begin in earnest in 2027, with significant public consultation planned.

Discussions also covered staff composition targets, with progress being made towards increasing the representation of women and ethnic minority staff. The average first pump attendance time was noted as having marginally increased since 2020, but remained within targets, with an emphasis on safe and careful responses. The impact of automatic fire alarms on operational capacity was discussed, with a policy change implemented to reduce unnecessary callouts, which has shown positive results.

The Committee also received updates on the progress of the Modern Firefighting Strategy, with funding secured for the next financial year, and discussions around the Building Safety Regulator's remit and the potential introduction of a pre-application process. The regulations for residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) were discussed, with the Deputy Mayor welcoming the legislation as a first step but expressing a desire for it to be extended to cover care homes and other buildings.

Finally, the Committee noted the action taken by the Chair under delegated authority to agree the Committee's report, Exposure to Fire Contaminants in London: A Hidden Growing Risk? , and its letter to the London Fire Commissioner regarding the wellbeing of London's firefighters.