Culture and Inclusion Conference set to drive change in UK Fire and Rescue Service

Day One at conference focused on the progress made since the 2023 event and the launch of the NFCC’s Culture Action Plan, alongside broader sector developments and reflections over the past year. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Anthea Sully (CEO of White Ribbon and chair of the NFCC’s independent Challenge and Support Panel).

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services also provided crucial updates on The State of Fire and Rescue Report, misconduct thematic inspections and the progress realised against the Values and Culture Report’s recommendations.

Day Two focuses on looking forward to what further work must be taken forward together to deliver lasting change. It features a keynote address from Siobhan Melia (CEO at the Sussex Community NHS Trust) who’s leading work on culture change across the Ambulance Service, duly focusing on the valuable lessons learned to date.

The agenda also includes a shared learning session with insights from Fire and Rescue Services that have participated in independent culture reviews, followed by a lived experiences panel whereupon conference will hear from networks and organisations that represent those with lived experience such that their voices can help inform how work is developed and shaped moving forward.

Recognising that a single conference cannot by itself deliver change, the aim is for the discussions and shared experiences to act as catalysts for ongoing change and improvement across the sector.

It also recognises that the path to cultural transformation extends some way beyond the NFCC’s initiatives to encompass the sector’s (and wider partners’) local and national collective efforts.