Sometimes referred to as retained firefighters, on-call firefighters are typically employed in other jobs and respond to incidents when alerted. They commit to remaining within a few minutes of their local Fire Station for a set number of hours each week so that they can respond to emergencies when called upon to do so. The on-call duty system covers around 90% of the UK landmass and provides the backbone of fire cover in rural and lower-risk areas.

Drawing on data collected from Fire and Rescue Services all over the UK, responses from over 1,600 on-call firefighters, Case Studies from each of the four nations and comparisons with international and other UK sectors, the study explored whether the on-call duty system remains fit for purpose. While attention and action are needed to address increasing pressures, on-call firefighters are absolutely vital for keeping communities safe.

However, dwindling numbers, persistent recruitment and retention difficulties and training requirements predominantly designed around full-time standards are serving to undermine long-term resilience.

The report sets out a spectrum of options for change, ranging from incremental local improvement through to fundamental sector-wide reform.

Acting on recommendations

Having commissioned the review with the support of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the NFCC has welcomed its findings and already embarked on work designed to take forward the recommendations, particularly so those that fall directly within its remit.

The NFCC will also work closely with Fire and Rescue Services to better understand what’s viable for them to deliver locally, all the while recognising that lasting change must balance national co-ordination with local context, governance and resourcing.

Phil Garrigan OBE KFSM, chair of the NFCC, said:  “The on‑call duty system has served communities across the UK for generations, made possible by the commitment, skill and professionalism of on‑call firefighters who balance public service with their own lives beyond the Fire Station. It remains a cost‑effective and community‑rooted model of fire cover.”

Garrigan continued: “The findings of this study are clear about the pressures the system now faces, and also about the need for co‑ordinated action. Our focus must be on working alongside Fire and Rescue Services, Government, representative bodies and on‑call firefighters themselves, recognising their unique contribution so that the system continues to protect the public it serves.”

Reflections of reality

Steve Healey, the NFCC’s national on-call lead and Deputy Chief Fire Officer for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, stated: “I want to thank every firefighter, leader and stakeholder who contributed to this research. Their honesty has shaped a study that reflects the reality of on-call work today, particularly so in rural areas.”

In conclusion, Healey observed: “There is no single fix and meaningful progress will take time, but it’s very much the case that the evidence base for change is now stronger than it has ever been.”

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

In the six-page publication’s introduction, Fire Sector Confederation chair John Spencer notes that the organisation has taken up its place as “the principal representative, convening and governance body across the UK’s fire and building safety landscape” and boasts an “emerging Parliamentary influence” with the successful reset of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fire and Rescue being an important step forward.

Further, Spencer states: “There are challenges ahead and the Trustees are well aware of the need to build a more secure and recurring funding base. However, the partnerships now being agreed with leading organisations in the sector and the many constructive conversations underway give us real confidence that the funding model will evolve to reflect the value the Confederation delivers. In addition, we are also looking to expand and broaden the base of Trustees.”

Detailed appraisal

Steve McGuirk CBE QFSM DL, executive director of the Fire Sector Confederation, delivers and extensive and detailed report that frames the document.

“The last year has been a period of sustained and, in many respects, accelerating activity,” observes McGuirk, “as the Confederation has moved from the foundational work of establishing a new charity into the more demanding task of delivering real value, building genuine influence and securing its long-term future. The overall picture is positive.”

Embellishing that last point, McGuirk comments: “The Confederation is now a recognised and increasingly influential body across the fire and building safety landscape. It has developed credible relationships with key sector organisations, Government departments and parliamentarians. The Consultations Network remains one of its most distinctive and valued assets. Through the aforementioned All-Party Parliamentary Group on Fire and Rescue, the Confederation now has a genuine pathway into the heart of Government.”

The Confederation remains in a relatively stable short-term position of 18 months to two years, though long-term sustainability remains the major strategic challenge. Membership and grant income have allowed continued safe operation, while the organisation is now in a stronger position than at the point of transition. The final grant from the Fire Research and Training Trust has been received. The overarching aim is to establish a secure annual funding position targeting a range of £250,000 to £300,000 per annum. Achieving this goal would also enable a more sustainable footing for contracted personnel.

Priorities for 2026-2027

*Secure stable core funding arrangements

*Expand strategic partnerships across the fire chain

*Develop the knowledge networks and digital hub

*Progress the meetings tracker and stakeholder mapping

*Build on the relationship with the All-Party Parliamentary Group

*Co-ordinate strategically important consultations

*Launch the Fire Futures concept

*Strengthen governance, compliance and administrative capacity

*Demonstrate visible value to members, partners and founders

In terms of the Fire Futures concept, this centres on working with CROSS-UK to develop a coherent and forward-looking programme that addresses emerging threats (including climate change, new technologies, lithium-ion batteries, modern methods of construction and workforce challenges). There’s a broader fire research alliance meeting taking place at the University of Chester in June.

*Further information is available online at www.firesectorconfederation.co.uk

With strong visitor numbers throughout, the Trade Association’s stand at the NEC became a central hub for networking, collaboration and conversation, welcoming members, partners and industry professionals old and new.

Reflecting on the three days in Birmingham from 28-30 April, the FIA’s events manager Ryan Brassil said: “The Fire Safety Event 2026 was a fantastic opportunity to bring the industry together once again. We were incredibly proud of the FIA’s presence this year, from the level of engagement at our stand through to the success of the Guidance Theatre and the Newcomer of the Year competition.”

A standout feature of this year’s event was indeed the FIA’s Newcomer of the Year competition, which generated significant attention and discussion throughout the exhibition. The competition showcased the incredible talent, professionalism and enthusiasm of individuals entering the fire industry, duly highlighting the importance of supporting and developing future talent within the sector.

Emma Francioli, technical officer at the FIA, praised the commitment and professionalism shown throughout the competition. Francioli noted: “What stood out most throughout the competition was the level of care, focus and professionalism shown by every participant. Although early in their careers, the individuals involved approached each task with patience, diligence and real attention to detail. Competency matters when it comes to fire safety and it was genuinely encouraging to see such a strong understanding of the importance of working carefully, taking responsibility and making sure everything’s right.”

FIA Guidance Theatre

Alongside the competition, the FIA’s Guidance Theatre once again proved to be a key attraction during The Fire Safety Event, delivering a programme of expert-led sessions featuring a mix of FIA representatives, FIA Council members and industry experts from across the fire sector.

The Guidance Theatre afforded visitors valuable insight, practical guidance and informed discussion on many of the key issues currently shaping the fire sector.

Speaking about the success of the Guidance Theatre, Will Lloyd (head of technical at the FIA) observed: “The FIA’s Guidance Theatre once again delivered an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and practical guidance with the industry. The quality of speakers and the engagement from attendees throughout the event was exceptional. It was fantastic to see so many meaningful discussions taking place and such strong interest in the important topics affecting fire safety professionals today.”

Team effort

The FIA recognises the tremendous efforts of the entire FIA team, whose hard work and dedication behind the scenes helped to make The Fire Safety Event such a success. From planning and logistics to delivering activities across the stand, the theatre and the competition areas, the team worked tirelessly to ensure a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Ryan Brassil added: “It was brilliant to see so many people connecting, learning and sharing ideas. A huge thank you goes to everyone involved: our team, sponsors, speakers and visitors, all of whom helped to make it such a memorable few days.”

The FIA would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all sponsors, speakers, partners and supporters who contributed to this year’s edition of The Fire Safety Event and helped make it one of the most successful to date.

Nineteen Group – organiser of The Fire Safety Event – has issued compelling statistics underpinning this year’s iteration of the trade show. Across the three days in Birmingham, there were upwards of 13,000 attendees and 279 exhibiting businesses.

The Fire Safety Event 2027 runs at the NEC in Birmingham from 27-29 April.

*Further information is available online at www.fia.uk.com

Highlights to 1 May 2026 (12-week rolling period)

*Across all categories, 323 Gateway 2 decisions were made by the Building Safety Regulator in the 12 weeks to 1 May, with a 71% approval rate. 62% of all decisions across all categories related to London cases

*New applications representing 12,426 residential units were received and applications representing 17,046 housing units determined, of which 12,299 were approvals. There are currently 36,984 units in live cases

*73% of decisions (ie 24 out of 33) made by the Innovation Unit in the last 12 weeks were approvals with 14 of those approvals in London (representing a 100% approval rate in the capital), which also reflects the ongoing work focused around complex cases. All time Innovation Unit approvals now stand at 33, with a median approval time of 22 weeks

*Following the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator’s External Remediation Improvement Plan in the past month, 20 legacy remediation applications from 2024 now remain, which is down from 42 at the beginning of 2026. A further 12 applications are on track to be determined in mid-May

*Operational enhancements and intensive application refinement have seen remediation approval rates already approaching the minimum 65% target for 2026

New-build approvals rise

New-build applications continue to move through the Innovation Unit with a growing number of decisions and a rising approval rate.

The Building Safety Regulator continues to work closely with industry on consistency as it seeks to reduce the number of complex cases in the system. The Innovation Unit is currently managing 143 live applications (representing 27,900 units).

Progress on external remediation

External remediation-driven guidance was published in the past month alongside improved feedback and support provided to applicants. Further resources and support will be introduced this year.

The Building Safety Regulator also continues to work closely with the sector to help applicants improve the quality of applications. Data shows that applications submitted in 2026 are progressing through the system much more rapidly than earlier applications. The average approval time was 25 weeks in a rolling 12-week period, which reflects the older 2024-2025 applications now being concluded.

Capital accounts for 62% of recent decisions

London decisions continue to be the majority of all closed cases. Over the past 12 weeks, 62% of all decisions across all Gateway 2 categories were for projects located in the capital. During this period, 383 applications were closed in the capital, with 437 new applications received.

Currently, 64% of all live Innovation Unit applications are based in London, representing 57% of the overall residential units that the Innovation Unit is handling. The total number of live London applications across all categories is 849.

Assessments in four weeks

Across all three major categories – new-build, remediation and refurbishment – the median time from a case being issued to a supplier to a full assessment being returned is just four weeks under the Building Safety Regulator’s batching process.

*254 new-build cases have been issued through batching, with 43 decisions (of the 87 returned to date) reached at a median time of nine weeks from issue to supplier to decision. This includes the time required for the Building Safety Regulator to consider the assessment and make a decision

*408 remediation cases have been issued, with 33 decisions (of the 140 returned) at a median time of ten weeks

*For refurbishment, 758 cases have been issued to the batching process so far. 82 decisions (of the 321 returned) have also been reached at a median time of eleven weeks

The data shows that batching is proving effective in speeding up early assessment and decision-making. As rejections are often early decisions, the Building Safety Regulator therefore sees a relatively high proportion of rejections from the batching process. This is expected to drop and approach the steady-state shown in the rolling 12-week numbers as more batching applications flow through to reach approval.

The batching process scales capacity by bundling applications to specialised external suppliers for accelerated assessment, with the Building Safety Regulator maintaining full regulatory oversight.

Long-term and transitional cases

The Building Safety Regulator has reduced the number of legacy, long-term cases to eight. These have significant technical challenges and have been managed as ‘complex cases’ since February.

This is where account managers work closely with applicants to try to achieve a successful outcome. These are no longer reflected in the Innovation Unit data as they’re being reported on separately.

Transitional cases have risen to 43 after the Building Safety Regulator was required to accept HRB projects previously being managed by Assent Building Control, which ceased trading in late 2025.

Significantly faster decision times

Charlie Pugsley, acting CEO of the Building Safety Regulator, said: “We are continuing to see positive improvements in the number of approvals for both new-build and existing building remediation cases, as well as significantly faster decision times. This includes positive results within our Innovation Unit from working closely with applicants to resolve complex technical challenges and then seeing a growing number of decisions and rising approval rates.”

Pugsley continued: “We are also making important improvements following the recent introduction of our External Remediation Improvement Plan. 12 of the remaining 20 legacy applications received in 2024 are set to have decisions made by mid-May, which will see this cohort of applications reduced to single figures.”

Further, Pugsley noted: “Even more encouraging is the fact that our remediation approval rates are already approaching our minimum 65% target for the year, although we are not being complacent and recognise that people living in unremediated buildings want them to be fixed, safely and at pace.”

In conclusion, Pugsley stated: “We are working to accelerate our assessments, decisions and approvals, ensuring that industry can construct safe buildings so that thousands of residents see the essential safety improvements they deserve. We remain steadfastly committed to ensuring that accelerated decision-making must never come at the cost of building safety.”

*Building Control approval application data to 1 May 2026

The research behind it – published by Halliwell Fire Research on behalf of the Fire Protection Research Foundation – examines how mass timber buildings perform after a sprinkler-suppressed fire.

Stop and think about what that original headline was actually claiming. If a system that intervenes early, limits fire growth and controls structural damage is now being treated as a problem in itself, what would be proposed in its place?

The Fire and Rescue Service will attend, but they arrive later, when a fire is larger and the volumes of water they deploy are far greater. If the concern is water ingress into CLT connections, the answer is not fewer sprinklers. That path leads to more water, applied to a building far more seriously damaged by fire.

Jim Glockling, visiting professor at UCLAN and a respected voice in fire engineering, made exactly this point in response to the research on LinkedIn. The right comparison, he argued, is not sprinklers versus nothing. It’s the small, targeted volumes that sprinkler heads local to the fire put down very early, when the fire is still small, versus the quantities the Fire and Rescue Service might apply late in an event when the fire is bigger and may have spread.

On that basis, Glockling concluded: “To this end, I see fire sprinklers as an essential component of water damage reduction, not the problem. Quantities are small and known and easily recovered from.”

Moisture challenge

The moisture challenge that follows suppression is real and worth investigating seriously. Better post-fire drying protocols, connection detailing that reduces water trapping nd clearer assessment procedures are all productive directions.

These are design and management refinements, though. They sharpen how we use active fire protection. They don’t make the case against it.

There is, however, a much deeper issue in play here. If mass timber is sensitive enough to water that post-fire sprinkler discharge warrants this level of concern, what does that tell us about the water risks already present in these buildings which go unnoticed?

Plumbing and drainage failures, condensation within structural elements, roof and cladding water ingress, escape-of-water events: all carry no sprinkler activation, no incident report and no obvious trigger for investigation.

If water sensitivity in mass timber is the concern, that’s where the headlines should be directed, not at the systems protecting us from fire.

Environmental credentials

As the construction sector embraces mass timber for its environmental credentials and structural qualities, we must be honest about the additional layers of protection these buildings require. The use of combustible materials in innovative construction introduces fire risks that, if not addressed with equal care, can undermine all of the gains made in sustainability.

That balance can be struck, of course, but only when resilience is valued alongside the other objectives for which we are designing.

Sprinklers are not the problem, as this research reveals. They are part of the answer to a set of questions the mass timber sector is beginning to ask properly.

The question we should now be asking is not how we protect buildings from their own suppression systems. The focus should be on how to make the most of the active fire protection systems that need to be installed.

Tom Roche is Secretary of the Business Sprinkler Alliance (www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org)

The course has been developed by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) in collaboration with fire engineering specialists at the University of Edinburgh, CROSS-UK, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Smoke Control Association, as well as fire engineering consultancies Design Fire Consultants, The Fire Surgery, OFR Consultants and PartB.

Delivered via eleven half-day virtual workshops, the new course covers a range of topics including an overview of BS 7974 (the British Standard that provides the framework for applying fire safety engineering principles), Computational Fluid Dynamics, PAS 8700 and modern methods of construction, structural fire engineering, smoke ventilation and clearance, accessible means of egress and working with existing buildings.

Continued emphasis

Lorna Stimpson, CEO of LABC, informed Fire Safety Matters: “There’s a continued emphasis on improving the competence of all construction professionals to drive up safety standards across the industry. This course has been put together to ensure that anyone interacting with fire engineering has the knowledge to confidently assess and challenge the information that’s given to them. We need the industry, and professionals within it, to reach a place whereby they can ensure safer outcomes for every person in every building.”

Originally launched in October, LABC has recently had the course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building so that attendees gain a Level 6 certificate upon successful completion of the final assessment.

Speaking about his experience of attending the course, Matt Canham (fire engineer at the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service representing the NFCC) said: “I’ve been taken on a fire engineering journey based on competent and ethical practice. I have taken so much from this course that will inform how I carry out my regulatory role on a daily basis. It has given me the confidence and knowledge to ask those fundamental questions.”

Existing suite

This latest offering from LABC adds to its existing suite of award-winning training courses created specifically for the wider construction industry including ‘Safety at Sports Grounds and other Events’, ‘Building Regulation Compliance’, ‘Building Regulation Application’ and ‘Building Regulation Inspections’.

*The first CIOB Level 6 Certificate in Principles of Fire Engineering course starts on 6 May. A second course will begin on 8 October

**Further information is available online at www.labc.co.uk/events/level-6-ciob-certificate-fire-engineering-principles-2

***Additional detail concerning LABC can be accessed at www.labc.co.uk

In his most recent role as the CEO of the Institute of Learning, Adams strengthened governance arrangements, rebuilt organisational confidence and embedded a strong culture of Continuing Professional Development.

To date, Adams’ career has encompassed senior leadership roles at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Institute of Directors and the Civil Mediation Council, duly equipping him with a broad strategic perspective and a strong track record of organisational leadership.

Paul Stollard, chair of the IFE’s Board of Trustee Directors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul as our new CEO. With a wealth of experience gained by leading membership organisations and global professional bodies, he brings a deep understanding of how to support, represent and add value for members in an increasingly complex world.”

Stollard added: “Paul’s proven leadership, strategic insight and commitment to member engagement will be invaluable as we look to the future and continue to strengthen the IFE’s impact for members and the fire safety sector.”

Important role

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Adams observed: “The IFE plays a uniquely important role in advancing professional standards and public confidence in a field where the consequences of failure are profound. I’m honoured to be joining the organisation at what is such a pivotal time for fire safety on the global stage.”

Adams continued: “During my military service, I saw first-hand the devastating impact fire can have on people, families and communities. That experience has remained with me and underpins my commitment to the IFE’s mission.”

Going forward, Adams’ focus will be on strengthening the Institution’s impact by supporting and amplifying the expertise of its members, ensuring that the IFE continues to lead in setting standards, shaping policy and influencing the global fire safety agenda. “Together,” urged Adams, “we will build on the IFE’s strong heritage to enable fire professionals to shape a safer world.”

In conclusion, Adams explained: “I would like to thank Steve Hamm for his leadership in moving the organisation forward and for the strong platform he has created in relation to the next phase of the IFE’s development.”

Continued commitment

This appointment reflects the IFE’s continued commitment to creating a future world that’s safer from fire. Adams’ leadership will be instrumental as the Institution furthers its mission to empower members by continuously expanding their knowledge and experience, providing valuable opportunities and supporting their professional growth through their careers.

Adams formally joins the IFE on 18 May. Outgoing CEO Steve Hamm will move into the role of strategic advisor on a part-time basis, ensuring continuity by supporting Adams and assisting with a smooth leadership transition.

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

Free to enter, the Women in Fire Safety Awards shine a light on excellence, while in parallel helping to increase diversity and representation within the fire safety profession. This year’s winners will be revealed on 15 October during a gala ceremony to be held at the Mercure London Earl’s Court Hotel and wholly dedicated to celebrating excellence across the industry.

The Women in Fire Safety Awards will be co-located with the Women in Safety and Health Awards (organised by Western Business Media and Health and Safety Matters, a sister title of Fire Safety Matters), thereby bringing together professionals from across both of these key sectors for a night of recognition, connection and inspiration.

Award categories

This year’s Women Fire Safety Awards recognise excellence across a wide range of disciplines and categories as follows:

*Administrator of the Year

*Diversity Champion Award

*Excellence Award (Business)

*Excellence Award (Fire Consultant)

*Excellence Award (Fire Engineering)

*Excellence Award (Social Housing)

*Global Research Award

*Inclusive Company Award

*International Rising Star Award

*International Woman of the Year

*Rising Star Award

*Woman of the Year

Full criteria for all of the above categories can be viewed online.

*Entries for the Women in Fire Safety Awards are free. The deadline by which to submit any given entry is 31 July. Enter online NOW!

The Training Centre provides a focused learning environment alongside dedicated equipment for hands-on sessions, thereby ensuring that candidates gain the technical knowledge and real-world competence needed in the field.

This new space has been set up to reflect real installation and maintenance scenarios, covering key areas such as dry riser systems, hose reels and associated equipment and inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures aligned with current industry standards.

IFEDA’s aim is simple: to raise standards across the industry by delivering training that’s practical, relevant and immediately applicable on-site.

Importantly, this new Training Centre represents an important step forward in IFEDA’s continued commitment to supporting engineers, technicians and organisations alike with reliable and professional development opportunities.

IFEDA is looking forward to welcoming its first training delegates this month and working with industry professionals to build knowledge, confidence and competence across the fire safety systems domain.

*Further information is available online at www.ifeda.org

The new testing is conducted according to the sixth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, the Standard for the Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems. The updated method expands guidance for installation-level, large-scale fire testing, enabling UL Solutions to more closely replicate what happens when a fire starts inside an energy storage enclosure and how that fire might affect nearby equipment or buildings.

Thermal runaway is a battery failure condition in which overheating can cause the release of flammable gases and, in some cases, ignition. Understanding how this process unfolds at full installation scale is critical for evaluating the safety risks involved.

“Battery energy storage systems are being deployed at larger scales and closer to where people live and work,” said Wesley Kwok, vice-president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation Group at UL Solutions. “This testing affords practising professionals the practical data they can use to evaluate site layouts, separation distances and fire protection strategies with greater confidence.”

Realistic installation conditions

During large-scale tests, UL Solutions intentionally initiates a fire within a BESS enclosure and observes how it develops under realistic installation conditions. The testing examines whether fire can spread between battery units, whether heat or flames could ignite nearby structures and how ventilation and gas release influence fire behaviour. It also evaluates how active and passive fire protection features perform when exposed to battery fires.

Test configurations are designed to mirror real installations, including outdoor containerised systems, indoor battery rooms and sites where multiple enclosures are grouped or stacked. Aligning test set-ups with actual layouts helps ensure results are practical and relevant.

The findings are documented in detailed reports that can be used by relevant authorities to evaluate installation proposals, review alternative design approaches permitted under current guidelines and assess whether manufacturer‑recommended clearances are appropriate. Battery energy storage system designers can use the same information to develop compliant and risk‑informed layouts, justify alternative designs and address permitting and relevant authority concerns early in the design process.

Fire and Rescue Services can also leverage the findings for hazard assessments, pre‑incident planning and response strategies.

Protecting firefighters and the public

“As communities expand their use of battery energy storage, we need to understand how these systems behave in a real emergency,” said Robert Sapien Jr, fire chief for the City of San José Fire Department.

He added: “Large-scale fire testing gives us the data we need to plan our response and protect both firefighters and the public. The insight gained is essential when it comes to adopting these systems safely.”

*Further information is available online at www.UL.com