The course, which focused on how global Emergency Services operations respond to terrorist incidents, was attended by five NATO partner nations, with officers from Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Jordan and Egypt present. This was the second iteration of the training in the wake of the successful sessions held back in 2024.

The training is designed to afford officers the skills needed to improve inter-agency planning, operational preparedness and the response to a range of episodes including major incidents, acts of terrorism, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents and serious public disorder.  

The skills and knowledge obtained by the officers who attend can also be used when responding to a variety of standard emergencies in a multi-agency environment. The training provides valuable insights designed to strengthen and improve civil emergency plans, complementing national training systems and further developing enhanced co-operation between first responders.

Officers from law enforcement, the Emergency Services and military backgrounds attended the course. Attendees heard from the Brigade’s officers, as well as national subject matter experts, about how the Emergency Services and public bodies in the UK co-ordinate their response to emergency situations. This included sharing the UK’s Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Principles and details of Ten Second Triage.

There was also an opportunity for the participating officers to learn specifically about the response capabilities employed by the Emergency Services in London. This included a tour of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Special Operations Room and a demonstration of the specialist assets available to the London Fire Brigade when responding to high threat and marauding terrorist incidents, as well as viewing specialist equipment such as the Brigade’s 32-metre ladders, drones, Fire Rescue Units and fire boats.

Preparedness is key

Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne, the national co-ordinator for NILO, said: “It has been an honour for the Brigade to once again host our global partners, working in partnership with our colleagues from NATO and the US State Department. In an uncertain world, preparedness is key. By giving first responders the ability to co-ordinate an effective response to complex and challenging situations, this improves the chances of a successful response aimed at maximising safety for members of the public.”

Goulbourne added: “This training allows us to share the lessons we’ve learned over the last two decades with partners, helping to develop how their Emergency Services and civil protection work together. It also offers us the opportunity to understand the environments in which they work and learn from the challenges they may face.”

The programme is part of NATO’s wider work in the region. NATO’s Counter-Terrorism Section is also developing and conducting counter-terrorism courses for assistance-eligible NATO partner countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the Gulf and the Sahel regions thanks to the financial support provided by the United States for the NATO National Contributory Fund.  

This programme encompasses both civilian law enforcement and criminal justice agencies as well as the Armed Forces, defence and security officials with a view towards strengthening overall civil-military co-operation and information sharing on counter-terrorism efforts through an holistic, whole-of-Government approach in counter-terrorism areas of work such as CBRNE defence, battlefield evidence, countering terrorism financing, border security and responding to terrorist incidents.

Developing expertise

The NILO Network can trace its origins back to 2001 when officers from the London Fire Brigade began to look at how the UK would co-ordinate an emergency response when faced by an act of terror. For over 20 years now, NILO has continued to develop its expertise in this area, initially working to improve capabilities across the UK. Now, in partnership with NATO and the US State Department, NILO is looking at how this can be shared with partners across the world.

The partnership with NATO grew out of the Brigade’s involvement in the Counter-Terrorism Preparedness Network, which brings together the Mayors and counter-terrorism leads of major European cities. Through these meetings, it became clear that NILO’s expertise could be used to train NATO partners. As a result, the programme has been created, with additional support from the US State Department. The clear aim is to assist first responders when it comes to increasing public safety on the global stage.

The Building Safety Regulator’s move from the Health and Safety Executive to its new status as an arm’s-length body operating under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government represents a “significant moment” for the built environment.  

Originally established back in 2021 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Building Safety Regulator’s full powers came into force under the Building Safety Act 2022. Having gained from the expertise of the Health and Safety Executive to set itself up and establish the foundations required for a new regulator, the Building Safety Regulator’s transition signals a renewed commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything it does.

As a new organisation, the Building Safety Regulator will work towards establishing a single regulator by promoting competence and higher standards. It will drive the vital culture change required by everyone working in the built environment in order to support the Government’s ambition of building more safe homes and, in parallel, remediating those which are unsafe.

The move to standalone status is underpinned by a significant ‘operational reset’ in the Building Safety Regulator’s role as the Building Control authority for higher-risk buildings.

Following the introduction of its Innovation Unit and new efficiency measures, the Building Safety Regulator’s operational delivery is fast improving. This progress demonstrates a commitment to combine regulatory experience with industry knowledge to target guidance and education where it’s most needed.

Creating coherence

Lord Andy Roe KFSM, chair of the Building Safety Regulator, commented: “This is a decisive and important step forward in strengthening building safety and a milestone that marks our evolution into a standalone regulator. While the creation of the Building Safety Regulator in 2021 was indeed a watershed moment, we now look forward to a single construction regulator that brings coherence to a once-fragmented system.”

Lord Roe continued: “We will know we are successful when residents acknowledge that we’ve made the built environment safer. It’s about continuing to support homes being built safely.”

Charlie Pugsley, acting CEO of the Building Safety Regulator, stated: “The announcement marks a significant new chapter for the Building Safety Regulator, with a clear signal that, while we must continue to focus on improving our operational delivery for both new build homes and occupied HRBs, our mandate extends far beyond high-rise oversight to a broader responsibility for safety and standards across buildings in England.”  

Pugsley affirmed: “By driving professional competence and refining regulatory guidance, we can ensure an holistic approach that spans from initial design all the way through to lifelong building management.”

He concluded: “Our commitment to robust enforcement and cultural transformation serves a single and vital purpose in 2026 and beyond. That of restoring residents’ confidence and trust in the built environment.”

Lasting change

Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon observed: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe home and we’re determined to deliver lasting change to make this a reality. The Building Safety Regulator sits at the heart of this mission. Launching the new standalone body is an important step in realising sector-wide reform. I look forward to working with the new leadership team on our journey towards the establishment of the single construction regulator.”

Mark Reynolds, executive chair of the Mace Group and chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said: “Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen a very tangible shift in terms of how the Building Safety Regulator has worked with the Construction Leadership Council and developers across the country. The end result has been a more effective process that enables safer buildings to be commissioned and delivered on a faster basis.”

Reynolds continued: “The UK needs confidence that the construction industry, the regulator and Government are all working together to deliver new and safe housing at scale. I believe this moment marks a major step forward on that journey. As an independent body and working under the leadership of Andy and Charlie, I’ve no doubt that we’ll see more positive progress during 2026.”

Industry reaction

Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at the Building Cost Information Service, informed Fire Safety Matters: “Data published by the Building Safety Regulator in the past few months has spoken for itself. While more Building Control approval decisions are being made thanks to the new Innovation Unit, the speed of decision-making, and specifically so for remediation applications, must improve.”

Crosthwaite continued: “Establishing the Building Safety Regulator as an independent organisation is certainly an important step toward, unifying and simplifying how construction is regulated. It shows the industry is being listened to in the same way that the Building Safety Regulator’s process adaptations did last year.”

In addition, and following on from that last point, Crosthwaite explained: “That said, the Building Safety Regulator cannot afford to take its foot off the gas. Its new caseload is growing. Construction’s residential market in particular would benefit from a slicker regulatory system sooner rather than later.”

Finally, Crosthwaite asserted: “Both private and public sector housing output has slowed. Fewer approval hold-ups would go a long way towards speeding up project starts and the economic value they can deliver.”

During an inspection of the property (which is located on Belsize Road in Kilburn) conducted back in May last year, Camden Council enforcement officers found five unrelated tenants living in the property, meaning that thwre was a requirement for an HMO licence.

Officers also identified multiple fire safety issues including the lack of a carbon monoxide alarm, items blocking the fire escape and insufficient fire safety doors to the flat entrance, kitchen and bedrooms. They also found significant disrepair and mould growth in the bathroom.

The landlord – namely Benjamin George Wilson of Fitzjohn Avenue in Barnet – didn’t appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on 8 January. In his absence, Wilson was found guilty of five offences committed under the Housing Act 2004 for letting an unlicensed HMO and failing to comply with multiple regulations under Section 234 of the Housing Act 2004.

As a result, Wilson was ordered to pay a total of £15,872 (ie £2,500 for each of the five offences, a surcharge of £2,000 and prosecution costs of £1,372).

Councillor Sagal Abdi-Wali, Cabinet member for better homes at Camden Council, noted: “This landlord profited from residents living in dangerous conditions and failed to comply with clear legislation. I’m pleased that he has been handed this fine thanks to the robust work of our enforcement officers.”

Abdi-Wali continued: “Everyone deserves to live in a home that’s safe and secure. With over one third of households in Camden being privately rented, we will not hesitate to take action against landlords who fail to meet important safety and management standards for our residents.”

The Memorandum of Understanding sets out shared expectations for collaboration under the EHRC’s Uniformed Services Programme, which aims to address race and sex-based discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the Fire and Rescue Service, the police service and the Armed Forces. It also outlines how the Equality and Human Rights Commission will support the National Fire Chiefs Council’s work designed to improve culture and inclusion across the sector.

Based on the feedback received from Fire and Rescue Services, this year the Equality and Human Rights Commission will deliver a bespoke package of support, including a webinar series on preventing sexual harassment, a peer-to-peer learning programme and Case Studies of good practice drawn from within the sector.

Those Case Studies will explain the steps taken by some Fire and Rescue Services to proactively protect their members of staff from sexual harassment in line with the preventative duty of the Worker Protection Act and also with reference the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s eight-step guide for employers.

Resources and support

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, stated: “We’re pleased to announce that we’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fire Chiefs Council to improve how discrimination is tackled within Fire and Rescue Services.”

Stephenson continued: “We know there’s a lot of work to be done across the uniformed services in order to fully eradicate sexual harassment and racial discrimination. As Britain’s equality regulator, it’s our job to ensure these services have the resources and support they need to prevent discrimination and comply with the law.”

In conclusion, Stephenson noted: “This agreement marks a positive step. We now look forward to continued collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council such that we can assist all chief fire officers across Great Britain in tackling discrimination and cultivate an inclusive workplace for all employees.”

Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, explained: “Signing this Memorandum of Understanding with the Equality and Human Rights Commission is another in a series of steps we’ve taken to move from commitment to action on culture, equality and inclusion across the Fire and Rescue Services.”

Garrigan went on to state: “There’s no doubt that the challenge we face as a sector is real. This agreement strengthens the good work already taking place across Fire and Rescue Services, supporting continued learning and improvement by working closely with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in order to share evidence, insight and Best Practice and deliver tangible progress.”

In addition, Garrigan said: “At the National Fire Chiefs Council, we are clear that positive culture, dignity and respect must sit alongside operational competence and capability as a priority in the sector. This partnership will support our members to lead by example, amplify the quietest voices and ensure that Fire and Rescue Services are inclusive and safe places in which to work and continue to earn the trust and confidence of the public we serve.”

Initial commitments

Initial commitments include the National Fire Chiefs Council distributing Equality and Human Rights Commission surveys and event invitations to their respective networks and nominating representatives to support the Commission’s guidance development.

In return, the equality regulator will contribute to the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Listen and Learn sessions, provide feedback on key products (such as the Culture Dashboard Methodology) and deliver expert advice on the Worker Protection Act.

This agreement builds on a strong foundation of collaboration. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has previously responded to National Fire Chiefs Council consultations focused on the Addressing Sexual Harassment Toolkit, the Race Equality Toolkit and Violence Against Women and Girls Guidance. The equalities regulator has also participated in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s Culture and Inclusion Conference and presented findings from its own sexual harassment survey to senior leaders at the Council.

The National Fire Chiefs Council has actively engaged in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Equality Exchange events, duly contributing towards discussions on the subjects of sexual harassment and race. The Council is also represented on key Equality and Human Rights Commission Advisory Panels, which help to shape guidance and strategy for uniformed services.

This Memorandum of Understanding reflects a shared commitment to driving meaningful change and fostering inclusive and respectful workplaces across the Fire and Rescue Services.

Richard and Mike focus on several key areas, among them the immediate roadmap for the fire safety sector and the ongoing impact of the Internet of Things.

Returning guest Stephen Marsh addresses the unique set of challenges presented by heritage premises when it comes to the installation and management of fire safety systems.

As always, Brian and Mark review the latest fire sector news. Stories covered on this occasion include the Building Safety Regulator reporting record year-end Gateway 2 determinations, the Authoritative Statement recently issued by the Fire Engineers Advisory Panel, the creation of the PV Fire Intelligence Network and the Fire Protection Association’s partnership with FireQual on fire risk assessment qualifications.

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The proposal relates to a new British Code of Practice covering the use of sound systems for emergency purposes in premises where a formal communication plan is required. Further details on the proposal can be found on the BSI’s Standards Development Portal.

Scope of the proposed British Standard

The proposed Code of Practice would provide guidance on emergency sound systems used under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (ie Martyn’s Law), including communication for lockdown, evacuation and invacuation scenarios and also for fire emergencies, particularly so in high-rise residential buildings where audio communication systems operate independently of the fire detection and alarm system.

This is considered particularly relevant in the context of post-Grenfell Tower fire safety, where the ability to deliver clear and evolving instructions to residents during an incident is essential.

Purpose and focus

The BSI is considering the development of this new British Standard in order to address areas where existing guidance is currently limited or otherwise fragmented. The proposed Code of Practice would focus on communication outcomes, providing guidance on planning and system design, audibility and intelligibility and also testing and the ongoing operation of emergency audio systems.

The British Standard is intended to complement existing fire, security and product standards rather than duplicate them.

FIA member comment

The FIA is drawing this proposal to the attention of its members and invites members to consider the scope and potential impact of the proposed British Standard.

The BSI is currently seeking feedback on the need for the British Standard, its scope and its potential value to duty holders, designers, operators, residents and enforcing authorities alike.

The proposal is open for comment until 19 February. FIA members who wish to contribute their views are encouraged to submit their comments directly to the BSI via the project link (registration may be required).

Formed in 1998, AFOA is a proactive professional organisation wholly dedicated to supporting and advancing the interests of airport fire officers and Fire and Rescue Services, primarily within the UK and Ireland, but also now with an increasing international reach.

The 2026 Annual Conference begins on the afternoon of 20 April, with workshops and the exhibitor set-up. There will be an evening buffet for all attending, held in the exhibitor area and providing the opportunity for networking and meeting all the exhibitors.

Conference begins on 21 April and continues on the morning of 22 April, concluding with lunch. AFOA is also hoping to offer a tour of the Gatwick Airport Fire Station on the Wednesday afternoon.

There will be a gala dinner on the evening of 21 April, including the presentation of a long service award, entertainment and a charity raffle.

Delegate places

A total of 150 delegate places are available for AFOA members. Together with the Monday workshops, the Annual Conference will be an approved Continuing Professional Development activity.

Delegate places are priced at £595 plus VAT, which includes the welcome evening buffet, full attendance at the conference, breakfast and lunch on the Tuesday and Wednesday, the gala dinner and two nights’ accommodation on the 20 and 21 April.

Interested parties should e-mail Catherine O’Brien at [email protected] to book delegate places. Delegate places are currently limited to two per organisation. This limit will be reviewed nearer to the time of the event.

In order for delegates to attend, organisations will need to be a fully paid-up member of AFOA. When invoices are issued for delegate places, AFOA will include the cost to renew annual memberships from 1 April (that cost being £125 plus VAT).

Improving industry standards

As an organisation, AFOA is wholly dedicated to improving industry standards in airport fire safety, emergency response and leadership through training, information sharing and ongoing collaboration.

AFOA maintains strong relationships with the Civil Aviation Authority, the National Fire Chiefs Council and comparable organisations overseas in order to raise the profile of airport Fire and Rescue Services.

*Further information is available online at www.afoa.org.uk

The Built Environment Competence Hub is a national digital Hub designed to act as a central point of reference for competence-related information. It brings together key standards, competence frameworks, guidance and insights in one place to assist professionals and organisations in navigating what is an increasingly complex regulatory and professional landscape.

Managed by the BSI and developed in collaboration with the Industry Competence Steering Group and the Building Safety Regulator, the Built Environment Competence Hub responds to concerns in the sector that competence information is often fragmented, difficult to navigate and inconsistent across roles and disciplines.

The Hub aims to address those concerns by providing a shared space for industry to engage on competence, exchange Best Practice and access authoritative resources that support greater clarity, consistency and confidence across the built environment lifecycle.

Living resource

Anthony Burd, director of the built environment within the BSI Knowledge Solutions division at the BSI, said: “Competence is fundamental to a built environment sector that’s safe, trusted and capable of meeting society’s needs. The Built Environment Competence Hub has been designed as a living resource, shaped by ongoing industry input and able to evolve as competence requirements, standards and Best Practice continue to develop.”

Burd added: “By improving access to authoritative information and supporting a more consistent understanding of competence, the Hub also aims to play a vital role in helping the sector respond to regulatory reform following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022.”

The Built Environment Competence Hub is open to professionals, organisations and stakeholders across the sector. Users are encouraged to register to access resources, engage with content and remained informed as the Hub develops.

*Visit the Built Environment Competence Hub

As of this month, the FPA offers the following full suite of FireQual-accredited qualifications designed to meet the competency levels set out in BS 8674:2025:

*Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Fire Risk Assessment (course dates available now)

*Level 4 Certificate in Intermediate Fire Risk Assessment (course dates available now)

*Level 5 Certificate in Advanced Fire Risk Assessment (course dates coming soon)

Enhanced focus

These new qualifications introduce an enhanced focus on the core competencies detailed within BS 8674. The FPA’s training will equip learners with a means to interpret fire safety plans and fire risk assessment action plans. It will also enable an assessment to be made that ensures additional specialist advice can be sought when necessary (for example when it comes to securing the right technical knowledge necessary to assess external walls by adopting the guidance contained within PAS 9980).

Finally, the new qualifications will enable learners to evaluate the suitability of fire safety features within buildings, subsequently ensuring their awareness of the latest Best Practice techniques and required technical expertise to deliver fire risk assessments.

As a specialist Awarding Organisation for the fire sector, FireQual provides nationally recognised Ofqual-regulated and SQA-regulated qualifications that set the knowledge and skills benchmarks for specialist fire and life safety disciplines. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, the new qualifications reflect current industry needs and support fire risk assessors in demonstrating the competencies required at the foundation, intermediate and advanced levels.

Leading the charge

Commenting on the launch of the new qualifications, Lewis Ramsay (Group chief operating officer of BAFE Holdings, the owner of FireQual) said: “FireQual is at the front end of leading the charge for high quality, regulated and competency-based qualifications in the fire safety sector that evidence skills and knowledge. These fire risk assessment qualifications are aligned to BS 8674:2025 and BAFE’s SP205 Scheme evidence requirements. We are proud to be working with the Fire Protection Association as one of our ‘Approved Training Centres’ to award these qualifications, which offer a progressive pathway for fire risk assessors and set a new benchmark for professional competence in the sector.”

With the Government in England having confirmed that mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors will be introduced and independently verified by UKAS-accreditation certification bodies, the FPA’s new suite of qualifications will provide those assessors with a clear route to third party certification through alignment with existing UKAS-accredited schemes.

Bridging course

“We’re delighted to announce our suite of new FireQual-accredited fire risk assessment qualifications,” explained Luke Ventura, deputy head of training at the FPA. “By aligning with BS 8674:2025, we are equipping fire risk assessors with the latest Best Practice advice and technical expertise, enabling them to further demonstrate competency to duty holders and ‘Responsible Persons’. We are now in the process of creating a bridging course for existing learners, helping them to close knowledge gaps, gain the equivalent FireQual qualification and progress to the higher-level qualifications offered by the FPA.”

Learners can complete the qualifications at the FPA’s new Training and Education Centre in Oxfordshire, online or on-site at client premises.

In order to mark the opening of the Training Centre, the FPA is offering a 10% discount on training courses taking place in January, February and March when booked via the FPA’s website using code ‘celeb10’.

Resource 5 helps SMEs to achieve sustainable growth by providing strategic, commercial and operational expertise. Its services span business improvement, mergers and acquisitions support, market entry strategy and restructuring along with business integration and compliance advice.

Now operating across the UK and Europe, Resource 5 has already realised a significant impact on numerous businesses through its consultancy offer, duly supporting SMEs across fire alarm systems, passive fire protection, cyber security and electronic security systems, etc.

Senior-level leadership

Between them, Watson (senior associate at the consultancy) and managing director/lead consultant Wragg bring more than three decades each of senior-level leadership within internationally recognised companies. As well as holding senior roles within the UK’s leading fire and security trade bodies, Martin Watson spent more than a decade working at both Mitie Security and Siemens Building Technology.

Through time, Watson has built a strong reputation as an effective executive leader with the capability to deliver complex organisational change and guide businesses through rapidly evolving technological and regulatory landscapes. His depth of commercial insight and industry credibility position him as a key strategic voice within the sector.

As stated, Clive Wragg holds the prestigious ChMC accreditation (the highest professional status in management consulting). Known for delivering significant business growth, improving financial performance and driving operational efficiency, his work has helped companies to purposefully strengthen performance and unlock long-term value.

Wragg’s leadership style combines commercial clarity with a practical approach to sustainable improvement, particularly so when it comes to SMEs.

Shared commitment

Formed back in 2022, Resource 5’s and recent expansion is underpinned by a shared passion and commitment to elevate business performance across these crucial sectors. After several years of independently supporting companies within these industries, Watson and Wragg have now combined their expertise in order to offer a comprehensive and highly experienced consultancy partnership along with a number of experienced associates.

Resource 5 is now welcoming new clients across the UK and Europe.

*Further details are available online at www.r5consultancy.com