A fire in a warehouse in West London has been declared a major incident after it was reported that fireworks and gas cylinders were inside the building.
About three quarters of the structure is alight, according to London Fire Brigade (LFB) which was called to the two-storey building in Middlesex Business Park on Bridge Road, Southall, at about 08:55am GMT.
According to the Brigade, 25 fire engines and around 150 crew members were sent to the scene, including firefighters from Southall, Heston and Ealing.
Assistant Commissioner, London Fire Brigade, Pat Goulbourne’s statement on London warehouse fire
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said all firefighters had withdrawn and were now fighting the fire from a greater distance to ensure crew safety.
He added: “Firefighters are working hard to bring this fire safely under control.
“The incident involves a mixed retail and warehouse space, with a significant part of the structure currently alight.
“Around three-quarters of the structure is currently alight. Three of the Brigade turntable ladders have been deployed to scene, allowing crews to fight the fire from height.”
Three nearby schools and residential block have been evacuated as a precaution and traffic in the area is expected to be affected.
The service said residents in the area were advised to keep doors and windows closed “due to the large amount of smoke being produced by the incident”.
Traffic in the area would “also be impacted,” the LFB added, also saying first reports of the fire were received at 8.55am.
A scaled up operation
The London Fire Brigade scaled up its operation after originally deploying 70 firefighters, describing it as a “protracted incident”, adding crews would be “carrying out firefighting operations throughout the day”.
As of 17:00pm GMT, the cause of the fire is unknown.
The London Ambulance Service added how there have been no injuries as a result of the incident.
The Brigade posted an update to X, stating: “Due to the large amount of smoke being produced by the fire, residents in the local area should keep doors and windows closed as crews respond.”
The Brigade’s control officers have taken some 60 calls regarding the fire.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has welcomed Government plans that would allow standalone fire and rescue authorities to keep core funding in line with inflation if they increase council tax precepts by £5.
The changes are set out in the Local Government Finance Policy Statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 following months of pressure from NFCC and fire and rescue services over earlier proposals that could have reduced budgets in real terms.
Under the new approach, any standalone fire and rescue authority that uses the £5 council tax flexibility will see its core spending power rise at least in line with inflation as measured by the GDP deflator.
The Government has also confirmed a review of the fire funding formula and a package of £2.1 million in transitional support for areas transferring fire functions to Mayoral Strategic Authorities or undergoing local government reorganisation.
Fire Chiefs have welcomed the move to set out funding proposals across a three-year period, noting that longer-term settlements can ease planning pressures compared with one-year deals.
Phil Garrigan, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, said: “We welcome the Government’s recognition of the urgent need to stabilise fire and rescue funding and its commitment to review the formula – this is confirmation that they have listened to our concerns.
“These steps are vital to avoid immediate harm, but we now need to go further to address the impact of a decade of underinvestment, including the loss of almost £1 billion in capital investment.
“This progress reflects the collective efforts of many across the sector – including trade unions – as well as those in politically influential positions, who have consistently championed the often-unseen work of fire and rescue services.
“Fire and rescue services are right there at the forefront of public safety, and NFCC will continue to lead the sector’s work to ensure funding reflects the growing and changing risks we face.
“We need to work through the detail of what these changes mean for fire and rescue services in real terms, but they form a positive step in the right direction.”
NFCC funding analysis warns of uneven impact
NFCC said its earlier modelling showed that previous grant proposals could have produced real terms budget cuts of more than £100 million over three years.
The organisation linked those projections to changes proposed under Fair Funding Review 2.0, which place greater weight on population growth when distributing national fire funding.
NFCC analysis indicated that areas with faster population growth would gain a larger share of the fixed funding pot, leaving slower-growing regions exposed to deeper reductions.
The council highlighted that some of those slower-growing areas also face complex hazards, including chemical sites, high-rise buildings and high levels of deprivation.
NFCC warned that a purely population-driven funding model risked creating clear winners and losers across the country, even where underlying risk profiles differ.
Following the Government’s revised proposals, NFCC believes the combination of a £5 council tax flexibility and the new spending floor will enable standalone fire and rescue authorities to keep pace with inflation if they fully use the precept increase.
The organisation is urging those authorities to make use of the flexibility to avoid avoidable reductions in service provision.
NFCC said the position for county council fire and rescue services is more complex and that it is awaiting further detail to understand the implications for those services.
Service pressures grow as demand increases
NFCC stated that fire and rescue services are already operating under pressure as demand and risk evolve.
Recent data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) shows that fire and rescue services in England attended 628,764 incidents in the year ending June 2025.
NFCC noted that this total represents a 25% rise over the level recorded a decade ago.
Over the same period, firefighter numbers in England have fallen by 25%, equating to around 11,000 fewer wholetime firefighters since 2008.
NFCC said that services are being asked to respond to the UK’s growing challenges linked to climate change, emerging technology risks and an expanding role in civil resilience and community safety.
The council pointed to the impact of almost £1 billion in lost capital investment over the past decade, with ageing estates and mounting pressures affecting how services maintain and upgrade their infrastructure.
NFCC is calling for sustainable investment to match the demands placed on fire and rescue services so that they can continue to keep communities safe now and in the future.
Funding reforms and planning for fire services
The Government’s council tax flexibility and inflation floor are directly relevant to fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers who are planning budgets and operational capacity for the next three years.
Standalone fire and rescue authorities that choose to use the £5 precept increase can maintain core spending power in real terms, which will shape decisions on crewing models, station portfolios and local risk coverage.
Procurement officers and those responsible for estates will need to set investment priorities in the context of NFCC’s reference to almost £1 billion in lost capital funding and the pressures from ageing buildings and equipment.
Government departments and local government finance teams involved in fire governance will need to interpret the forthcoming review of the fire funding formula and assess how population-based allocations interact with local risk factors such as high-rise buildings or chemical sites.
Risk assessors and fire engineering consultants working with services in areas of slower population growth may see increased focus on how changing grant distributions align with hazards and deprivation levels.
Data from MHCLG on rising incident numbers and reduced firefighter headcount in England provides a quantitative backdrop for discussions on staffing, resilience and future funding requirements.
Seven NFPA presidents later, what Pauley’s planned retirement means for leadership
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Pauley intends to retire in the summer of 2026 and that the organisation has appointed Spencer Stuart to manage the search for his successor.
NFPA said Pauley notified the Board of Directors of his plans in the summer of 2024 and that the board has since been developing the approach for the recruitment process.
The organisation confirmed that Spencer Stuart is now accepting interest in the NFPA Chief Executive Officer role, which covers overall leadership, direction and management of the association.
NFPA added that the Chief Executive Officer also chairs the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation and NFPA Global Solutions boards and serves as an ex-officio member of the NFPA Board of Directors.
Pauley comments on NFPA history and mission
Jim Pauley, President and Chief Executive Officer at the National Fire Protection Association, said: “In its nearly 130-year history, NFPA has had only seven presidents.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as one of those seven.
“I am confident that the next president will find this organization – its people and its mission – as incredible, essential, and impactful as I have.”
The NFPA is a self-funded nonprofit standards development organisation that aims to eliminate death, injury, property damage and economic loss from fire, electrical and related hazards.
The association said it advances safety by delivering expert knowledge through more than 300 codes and standards, training, certifications, research, public education and advocacy activities.
According to NFPA, widely used documents in its portfolio include NFPA 13, the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 101, along with standards that address animal housing, wildfire mitigation, firefighter health and safety and preparedness, response and recovery strategies for active shooter events.
The organisation noted that it has also launched a campaign to raise awareness of how safety codes and standards help protect people and property at home, at work and in public venues.
NFPA stated that Pauley’s tenure has focused on growth across four pillars described as being more digital, more global, more connected and more diversified.
LinkedIn post outlines timeline and transition plans
Pauley added on LinkedIn: “For all my friends and colleagues, I wanted to share some news with you.
“In the summer of 2024, I informed the NFPA Board of Directors of my desire to retire from NFPA in the summer of 2026.
“Since that time, the board has been actively discussing the process they want to use to find my successor.
“Through that thoughtful process the board has decided to pursue a national search and has now retained Spencer Stuart to assist with the search process.
“I began my journey with NFPA back in the early 1990’s as a member and technical committee member and being selected to lead the organization in 2014 has been an incredible culmination of a career focused on safety.
“We have accomplished much in that time and have much more to accomplish to help save lives and protect property across the world.
“So, this isn’t goodbye just yet.
“We have a very busy 2026 at NFPA both in our mission and in our preparation for a smooth transition to a new leader.”
NFPA said the full position description is available and that application materials or candidate referrals should be sent by email to NFPACEO@SpencerStuart.com.
How the NFPA succession plan relates to practice
Fire and rescue chiefs who work with National Fire Protection Association codes and standards may want to track how the Chief Executive Officer transition is structured and timed.
Standards and certification bodies that reference NFPA 13, the National Electrical Code and NFPA 101 can monitor whether any future revisions are framed within the association’s four strategic pillars of being more digital, more global, more connected and more diversified.
Training officers, electrical contractors, fire engineers and system installers who design, specify or maintain systems to NFPA documents may look for continuity in guidance, education and supporting material while the search progresses.
Facility managers and risk assessors operating in areas covered by NFPA publications, including wildfire mitigation, animal housing, firefighter health and safety and active shooter preparedness, may also consider how the leadership handover is managed when reviewing their own use of these documents.
The Federation of EUropean fire officers (FEU) has called on the European Union and national governments to treat the fire service as a core pillar of European resilience following a seminar in Vienna on Thursday 20 November 2025.
According to FEU, European fire service leaders and specialists at the Vienna seminar agreed that fire and rescue services form the last line of defence when other systems fail during major crises.
The organisation reported that discussions focused on pressures from cyber attacks, prolonged power outages, climate driven disasters and growing geopolitical tension across the region.
FEU said the seminar underlined the need to keep fire and rescue services fully operational during the earliest stages of severe disruption.
The federation positioned these early hours as a period when communities are most exposed to cascading failures in infrastructure and public services.
Strengthening 72 hour operational readiness
FEU stated that one of the key priorities agreed at the Vienna seminar was the ability of fire and rescue services to maintain operations for at least 72 hours during major disruptions.
Participants highlighted that this 72 hour window is when coordinated emergency intervention can have the most direct effect on life safety and community stability.
The organisation linked this objective to the resilience of fire stations, equipment and communication systems in the face of widespread disruption.
FEU also emphasised that staff wellbeing and capacity during extended incidents must be planned into national and European resilience strategies.
Stephan Wevers, president of the Federation of EUropean fire officers, said: “Europe’s resilience is only as strong as its ability to protect people when other systems fail.
“The fire service stands on the frontline of this mission,”
Embedding fire services in resilience planning
According to FEU, seminar participants argued that fire and rescue services must be structurally integrated into resilience planning frameworks at both national and European levels.
The federation said this should place fire services alongside energy providers, digital infrastructure operators, healthcare systems and civil protection agencies when developing resilience strategies.
FEU reported that attendees saw formal cross sector planning as essential to maintaining continuity of emergency response when multiple systems are affected at once.
The discussions also pointed to the role of fire services in supporting civil protection coordination during complex incidents.
FEU explained that improved planning links between sectors could help manage situations where infrastructure failures and environmental hazards arise at the same time.
Investment, foresight and cross border cooperation
FEU said the seminar identified investment in people and infrastructure as another core priority for European resilience.
The federation highlighted the need to protect fire stations, vehicles and specialist equipment so they can remain operational under stress conditions.
According to FEU, resilient emergency communication systems were also seen as essential to sustaining command, control and information sharing during crises.
The organisation added that the wellbeing and readiness of fire and rescue staff must be supported so personnel can function effectively during extended incidents.
FEU stated that strategic foresight was a further priority, with attention on future risks from extreme weather, cyber threats and failures in critical infrastructure.
Based on the seminar outcomes, FEU called on the European Union and national governments to recognise the fire service as a core pillar of resilience within policy and strategy frameworks.
The federation urged policymakers to ensure adequate funding for infrastructure, innovation and workforce readiness in fire and rescue services.
FEU also pressed for stronger cross border cooperation and knowledge exchange so that countries can respond more effectively to transnational crises.
Implications for European fire leadership
The priorities set out by FEU have direct implications for fire and rescue chiefs, senior officers and emergency and disaster response managers across Europe.
The focus on 72 hour operational readiness highlights the need for these leaders to review continuity plans, resource allocation and staff support arrangements for extended incidents.
Attention to cross sector resilience planning is relevant for government departments and civil protection authorities that coordinate national strategies and rely on fire services during multi system failures.
The call for investment in infrastructure, communication systems and staff wellbeing is pertinent for procurement officers, local and national decision makers and those responsible for budgeting for fire and rescue capabilities.
Emphasis on cross border cooperation and knowledge exchange has practical meaning for organisations involved in mutual aid, joint training and shared response frameworks for incidents that cross national boundaries.
The strategic foresight element aligns with the work of standards and certification bodies, risk assessors and fire engineering consultants who address emerging threats such as climate related events and cyber risks to critical infrastructure.
IFE blog highlights FIRE Conference 2025 discussions
The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has reported in a blog that FIRE Conference 2025 brought together sector leaders at the QEII Conference Centre and online to examine how to future-proof the built environment.
According to the IFE, the conference was sponsored by PartB and structured around plenary sessions, panel discussions and technical breakouts.
The organisation said the event opened with National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chief Executive Officer Susannah Hancock welcoming delegates and introducing a programme focused on the future of fire safety.
In the blog, the IFE described FIRE Conference 2025 as a key date in its calendar, with more than 500 delegates attending.
Plenary sessions cover leadership, resilience and standards
NFCC Chair Phil Garrigan OBE used the morning plenary to reflect on the previous eighteen months and the lessons drawn from that period.
He called for transformation across the sector, with a focus on efficiency and resilience in a changing operating environment.
Fire Sector Confederation Chair Steve McGuirk then examined leadership trends and the outlook for fire safety professionals.
IFE Chief Executive Officer Steve Hamm followed with a session on the need for greater standardisation in fire safety practice.
Hamm’s contribution focused on achieving more consistent approaches and on raising competency standards across the profession.
Global wildfire panel looks at rural–urban interfaces
The first panel session addressed rural and urban interfaces, wildfires and early detection.
Speakers included Rob Gazzard from the Forestry Commission, Chief Anthony Marrone from Los Angeles County Fire Department and former US Fire Administrator Dr Lori Moore-Merrell.
The panel shared international perspectives on wildfire management and the challenges of protecting communities where built environments meet high-risk vegetation, the discussion highlighted the role of technology in wildfire detection and monitoring.
Panel members also discussed the value of cross-border collaboration when preparing for large-scale wildfire activity.
Building safety and engineering workforce in focus
After a networking break, attention turned to building safety and regulatory experience.
Building Safety Regulator Chief Executive Officer Charlie Pugsley gave a review of 2025 activity and set out priorities for the coming year.
His session covered the regulator’s view of progress to date and areas where further work is still required.
A panel on attracting and retaining engineering talent, featuring contributions from Lynsey Seal and Michael Spearpoint.
Panellists highlighted the need for more diverse recruitment routes into fire engineering roles and for innovation in how employers support career development.
Technical breakouts and Moss Landing battery fire case study
The IFE blog noted that afternoon breakout sessions allowed delegates to choose between specialist topics.
Sessions examined construction product testing, competency in fire risk assessment, emergency standards and lithium-ion battery safety.
Speakers shared technical experience and practical approaches, and delegates were able to ask questions throughout.
A case study on the Moss Landing battery fire, presented by San Diego Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Robert Rezende and colleague Justin Marquez, was described as a standout element of the programme.
The case study illustrated the complexity of incidents involving energy storage systems and the level of preparedness needed to manage them.
Conference role in IFE programme and next steps
In its blog, the IFE characterised FIRE Conference 2025 as a core event in its annual schedule.
The organisation stated that more than 500 delegates attended and that networking continued into the evening with a drinks reception sponsored by Belimo.
The blog commented on the value of using the conference to maintain relationships across the sector and to sustain discussion on raising standards.
The IFE thanked sponsors, exhibitors and speakers for their role in shaping the event content.
IFE members will be able to read a full FIRE Conference event report in the November issue of the IFP journal.
Recordings from the day are due to be made available on the IFE CPD Hub in the new year.
Implications of FIRE Conference 2025 themes
Sessions on leadership, standardisation and competency are relevant to fire and rescue chiefs, building safety regulators and senior fire safety officers who are reviewing organisational strategies.
The focus on rural–urban interfaces and global wildfire experience provides practical context for emergency and disaster response managers, wildfire specialists and public sector risk planners who deal with cross-jurisdictional risks.
Discussion of engineering careers and recruitment has direct implications for fire engineering consultants, mechanical and electrical engineers and training officers responsible for building and retaining technical teams.
Breakout content on construction product testing, fire risk assessment and lithium-ion battery safety is of practical use to risk assessors, system installers, fire-protection contractors and electrical contractors working on complex buildings and energy storage projects.
Forthcoming IFP journal coverage and CPD Hub recordings will give those groups structured material for in-house training, competency development and review of recent practice examples.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has agreed a new collaboration with Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) in the US to provide NFPA LiNK access across IEC’s network of 53 educational campuses and affiliate chapters.
According to NFPA, the agreement will give more than 20,000 IEC electrical apprentices and their instructors digital access to current fire, electrical and life safety codes and standards.
NFPA stated that NFPA LiNK is its digital platform for codes and standards, including the National Electrical Code.
The organisation explained that the tool will be integrated into the IEC Content Management System and made available at no extra charge to apprentices.
NFPA added that the arrangement is supported by IEC’s training partner, American Technical Publishers.
Digital access to NFPA codes and standards
NFPA said NFPA LiNK will provide real-time access to a library of more than 300 NFPA codes and standards.
The platform also includes expert commentary, visual materials and interactive functions intended to support classroom training and practical application on site.
NFPA noted that combining codes, explanatory material and digital tools in one platform is aimed at helping users apply requirements in real-world situations.
Kyle Spencer, director of NFPA LiNK, said: “This is about giving the next generation of electrical professionals, and those who train them, the tools they need to learn and apply safety knowledge in real-world settings,
“We’re pleased to support IEC’s education programs by making essential safety information easier to access and use.”
IEC apprenticeship network and safety focus
NFPA described IEC as a nonprofit trade association federation representing more than 4,100 member businesses.
According to NFPA, IEC chapters and training programmes operate in communities across the US, with a remit to support a skilled electrical workforce with a focus on safety.
The organisation said the NFPA LiNK integration forms part of broader efforts by NFPA and IEC to improve safety outcomes through education.
NFPA added that the collaboration is also aimed at preparing apprentices and instructors for changing demands in the electrical and construction sectors.
Amy Biedenharn, executive director of IEC, said: “Providing our apprentices and instructors with direct access to NFPA LiNK strengthens the IEC training experience,
“This integration brings the most current safety information and code resources straight into the classroom and the field.”
How expanded NFPA LiNK access affects training and practice
Electrical contractors involved in IEC programmes will see NFPA LiNK embedded directly in training environments, which means access to codes and standards during both classroom sessions and practical activities.
Training officers and instructors can use the platform’s commentary, visual material and interactive tools to illustrate how requirements in the National Electrical Code and other NFPA documents apply to specific tasks.
System installers and electrical engineers taking part in IEC apprenticeships will be able to consult up-to-date NFPA documents on demand, reducing reliance on separate printed materials or older references.
Fire safety officers and standards bodies monitoring electrical training can expect IEC apprentices to work with current NFPA content, as the agreement covers access to more than 300 codes and standards.
Facility managers and building services engineers who work with IEC-trained apprentices may encounter personnel who are more familiar with digital code resources integrated into everyday workflows.
By providing NFPA LiNK at no extra charge to apprentices, the collaboration removes a cost barrier for new entrants to the trade who need consistent access to safety information.
Mike Ward, Managing Director of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, reflects on fifty years of the ASFP advancing competence, clarity and collaboration across the built environment
Passive fire protection often slips from view when project decisions are set.
It sits beside alarms, pumps and vehicles, yet its success depends on choices that begin at concept and run through design, installation and inspection.
In this extended conversation, Mike Ward, Managing Director of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, sets out how the ASFP is centring competence, earlier engagement and usable guidance, and why that now includes a defined platform at Intersec.
Why passive needs its own platform
Ward begins with a clear observation about how passive fire has been presented at large shows and inside multi-topic project teams.
“Last year we took a bit of a fact-finding trip and then met with Messe Frankfurt,” Ward says.
“My point to them was that on the fire side of Intersec everything gets mixed together.
“You can have a small sprinkler stand next to NAFFCO’s big airport fire engines, next to a box that goes ping, next to a tube of something that claims to solve all ills on a construction site.
“Passive fire is different from boxes that go ping or tanks painted red.”
The platform ASFP sought is about timing and responsibility: “It’s about bringing the passive sector into the design and construction conversation far earlier,” Ward explains.
“Using the new golden thread tools linked with BIM brings the sector front and centre in its relationship with the principal designer and principal contractor.”
ASFP has confirmed plans for Intersec in Dubai that reflect this approach.
The association will lead a Passive Fire Protection zone within the UK Pavilion, positioned near the Fire Safety Theatre, with a programme focused on practical design decisions and clear routes to evidence.
The intention is to make passive fire visible as a defined set of responsibilities and to point visitors to content they can apply on live projects.
Competence, the register and the Pass Mark
Professionalisation in practice starts with role clarity and proof of knowledge.
The ASFP pathway maps expectations across manufacturers, installers, testers, certifiers and designers, then sets out how competence is demonstrated and recorded.
“This is about bringing together the competency framework for manufacturers, installers, testers, certifiers and designers so they can evidence competence through a framework and register,” Ward says.
“That links to more robust schemes here and tracks through to the ASFP Pass Mark.
“The Pass Mark is an independent mark run by ASFP that sits above standard membership.”
The structure is designed to support duty holders, clients and contractors.
It simplifies selection, helps designers understand that specifications can be delivered as drawn, and builds a consistent record along the golden thread so approvals and maintenance stand on firm ground.
“The goal is for the passive sector to be seen as professional, to be brought into the design and construction conversation earlier, and to use golden thread tools linked with BIM so the sector is front and centre alongside the principal designer and principal contractor,” Ward says.
“There’s a whole story to tell here.”
Guidance that supports daily decisions
A framework is only useful if teams can reach for documents that work under time pressure.
ASFP has advanced a pipeline of publications that shift attention to early planning and whole-system thinking.
At the centre is the Green Book for fire doors, drawn from TG10 and set out to treat door sets as systems through the life of a building, not as isolated products at handover.
The approach encourages early engagement with users, mapped responsibility across disciplines, and digital records that support inspection and maintenance.
It recognises the range of door types and components now in use and the way poor specification or reactive upkeep can turn essential assets into liabilities.
Closing the gaps at interfaces
Some of the most persistent problems appear where trades meet.
The space behind the façade is a frequent source of uncertainty because duties overlap and change as products are substituted.
ASFP is convening a new technical group to examine this zone alongside façades, windows and fit-out specialists.
The scope includes movement, junctions and the downstream effects when a product is swapped without checking its neighbour.
Guidance will include straightforward details and a focus on recording decisions so inspectors and future maintainers can see what was installed and why.
“We’re entering the external envelope space and creating a new technical group for passive measures behind façades,” Ward says.
“We’ve got the Centre for Window Technology, FIS and several members engaged.
“The first meeting is planned for the end of January.
“It’s a missing piece in passive – the space between inner walls and the outer wall.
“What does that look like from a passive fire point of view?”
Ward’s stance on materials is direct: “We just want to make sure it works.”
People, culture and outreach
Competence also relies on people, wellbeing and entry routes.
The ASFP Academy now spans Awareness, Introduction, Diploma and Foundation levels, with new courses in development to address gaps.
Work is underway with SFJ Awards on an independent assessment service that can provide credible evidence of competence, beginning with design and specification then expanding to other roles.
The association has launched a mental health pack that sets out simple, practical steps employers can take, encourages open conversation and signposts to specialist support.
The Young Leaders Group features in Council activity, reflecting the need to attract new entrants.
ASFP has joined Climate Action for Associations to embed sustainability aims in its operations and in the guidance it promotes.
The communications approach mirrors how people learn and share now.
ASFP TV and short-form clips translate theatre sessions and site lessons into two-minute explainers that can be watched on a phone and used in toolbox talks.
“I’m handing the reins of social media over because I’m old and no one wants to see old people on social,” Ward says.
“If you go to TikTok and search ‘everything PFP’ you’ll see our channel.
“Others are starting to do similar things, which is fine.
“How people consume information is different from ten or twenty years ago.
“It takes three times the effort to stay ahead of the pack, but we’re happy for people to follow.”
Reece Goodman has returned as PR and Membership Engagement Officer to drive this activity, oversee the EverythingPFP channel and develop member-facing content that supports recruitment and outreach alongside the Young Leaders Group.
The calendar provides a rhythm that runs from regional rooms to international halls.
Through the year ASFP has appeared at national trade shows with theatre activity, paired its AGM with a London technical seminar, and run regional days including Scotland and London.
Webinars and Academy sessions support those who cannot travel, and the ASFP Awards Lunch will round out the year.
On awards, Ward sets out what they represent.
“The ASFP is proud to represent all those in the passive fire community who look to evidence their commitment to improving quality, standards, and competency within the built environment by virtue of their membership of the association,” Ward says.
“The pinnacle of this is those members who put forward their nominations for the ASFP awards, knowing their nomination will come under scrutiny, but having the confidence in themselves to put it forward all the same.
“Whether being shortlisted or winning, the mere confidence and commitment to apply is what makes the ASFP awards such a great event.
“The quiet, meaningful morality of ASFP members is the loudest voice in the industry; this one fact alone is never lost on me, thank you to all those who applied, good luck to all nominees on this, the fiftieth anniversary of the ASFP.
“It’s going to be a very special event indeed.”
Those touchpoints lead into the Intersec plan.
ASFP will lead the Passive Fire Protection zone within the UK Pavilion near the Fire Safety Theatre and run theatre content focused on competence and early design decisions, supported by a show brochure and daily media.
Rather than presenting passive as a catalogue of products, the programme concentrates on decisions that change day-to-day work.
Ward’s team expects short interviews on the stand and in the theatre to run across social channels during the show so the message reaches people who are not on site.
“We’ll run a full ASFP TV social media campaign across the three days,” Ward says.
“Reece is coming to do on-stand interviews with exhibitors, film at the theatre, talk to presenters and panellists, and speak with Emirates Safety Laboratory.”
The pavilion set-up follows the same logic of clarity and access.
ASFP will host a small pavilion of exhibiting members, each with its own branding, promoted by Messe Frankfurt as the ASFP pavilion, with an ASFP stand integrated with or adjacent to the space.
The third day includes a full programme in the Fire Theatre on professionalising passive fire.
Sessions will include the latest work on competency frameworks, the forthcoming ASFP Design Guide, and the Green Book for fire doors.
Panel sessions will include employers from exhibiting members so visitors can hear directly from teams applying these approaches in practice.
A longer horizon sits behind the show plan.
“This is baby steps for the first one,” Ward says.
“We have a five-year plan with Messe Frankfurt to develop passive as a distinct consideration – not siloed, because everything is interdependent, but visible.
“Unless you break it out and shine a light on it, it gets lost in the noise.”
Asked what readers should take from the year ahead, Ward returns to first principles:
Early involvement creates clarity.
Role-based competence gives confidence.
Documents that show tested detail reduce friction from concept to sign-off.
“Bringing the passive sector into the conversation earlier is what changes outcomes,” Ward says.
“The calendar is set up to keep that message in front of designers, contractors and clients throughout the year.”
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 National Fire Service Achievement Awards, covering four categories for volunteer fire service recognition in the US.
According to the NVFC, nominations are open for the William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award.
The organisation has set a submission deadline of 17:00 EST on 16 January, giving departments and programmes a defined window to put forward candidates.
The NVFC stated that nominations are intended to recognise outstanding contributions from individual volunteers, health and wellness leaders, junior firefighters and youth-oriented programmes.
Award categories recognising lifetime and health leadership
The NVFC said the William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Darley, recognises a volunteer firefighter with at least 20 years of service.
The council added that this award is intended for individuals who have made a major contribution or achieved notable accomplishments in the volunteer fire service at local, state or national level.
According to the NVFC, the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems, focuses on emergency responder health and wellness.
This award honours an active volunteer firefighter, EMS provider or rescue worker who has taken a leadership role in creating or promoting health and wellness programmes or initiatives.
The NVFC confirmed that recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Health and Wellness Leadership awards will be recognised at an awards celebration on 16 May 2026 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Junior firefighter and youth programme recognition
The NVFC explained that the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, honours a junior firefighter who has exceeded normal expectations in service to their fire department.
The organisation stated that the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, also sponsored by California Casualty, is aimed at junior firefighter programmes or Explorer Posts.
According to the NVFC, this programme-level award focuses on community impact, innovation and creativity demonstrated by the junior initiative.
The council added that while individual junior award recipients will be recognised at the Alexandria ceremony, the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award will be presented at a local celebration.
This local presentation is intended to ensure that all participating juniors in the recognised programme can attend the event.
How to submit nominations online
The NVFC confirmed that full criteria for each of the four awards are available on its website.
Departments and organisations can review eligibility requirements, sponsorship details and recognition arrangements before submitting applications.
The council stated that nominations must be submitted online via the NVFC awards page.
Further details and the submission portal are available at www.nvfc.org/awards.
How these nominations support volunteer fire service leadership
Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers in volunteer departments can use the NVFC awards process to highlight long-term service and leadership in their organisations.
The William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award criteria around 20 years of volunteer service and contribution at multiple levels provide a defined benchmark for identifying senior volunteers who have had broad impact.
Training officers and instructors responsible for health and wellness initiatives can align their programmes with the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award focus on responder wellbeing initiatives and leadership.
Leaders of junior firefighter schemes can review the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award requirements to recognise individual juniors who have taken on additional responsibilities in support of their department.
Programme coordinators for junior firefighter groups or Explorer Posts can examine the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award emphasis on community impact, innovation and creativity when designing or evaluating youth engagement activities.
The separate local celebration for the winning junior programme means coordinators can plan recognition activities that involve all participating young people rather than only selected representatives.
Fire testing rules tighten inside the FPA UL PartB plan
The Fire Protection Association (FPA) has announced a collaboration with UL Solutions and PartB to deliver independent fire testing for the UK built environment at a time of strengthened regulation and closer scrutiny of construction products.
The collaboration is outlined in a joint paper titled Testing Times: a solutions-focused collaboration for UK fire testing.
According to the FPA, the aim is to provide impartial and transparent testing services that support compliance in a sector shaped by the Building Safety Act and the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The organisations highlighted that the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway programme and extended liability under the Defective Premises Act have increased pressure on dutyholders to evidence the fire performance of products and systems.
They stated that stakeholders now need reliable data to show that every component and assembly used in construction meets defined fire safety standards.
Independent laboratory and response to inquiry findings
The FPA said it will use its independent fire testing laboratory to host testing commissioned by UL Solutions and PartB clients in a secure and confidential environment.
The organisation stated that tests will be carried out at arm’s length from the client to protect impartiality and ensure that intellectual property and proprietary data remain confidential.
The initiative is positioned as a direct response to issues raised in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report around the need for independent testing to rebuild trust in the construction sector.
According to the partners, access to impartial fire performance data is intended to help clients make better-informed choices, reduce remediation costs and show a commitment to recognised good practice.
FPA Chief Executive Dr Gavin Dunn said the collaboration is intended to address gaps in how complex building systems are assessed.
Gavin Dunn, FPA Chief Executive, said: “This new collaboration addresses a critical gap in the construction sector: the need to test and certify the fire performance not just of individual products, but increasingly also the interfaces and combinations of systems that often present the greatest fire safety risks.
“Leveraging the FPA’s independent testing capabilities, UL Solutions’ certification expertise, and PartB’s engineering insight, offers a holistic approach to fire safety validation for the whole UK built environment sector.”
Roles for FPA UL Solutions and PartB
UL Solutions was described as bringing more than 130 years of global experience in testing, inspection and certification to the collaboration.
The firm’s work helps manufacturers meet regulatory requirements and obtain market access through established certification schemes.
Through this collaboration, UL Solutions and the FPA plan to offer testing of building products and systems such as wall assemblies, fire doors and joint systems.
The partners said this work will support both UKCA and CE-marking requirements for applicable products and systems.
PartB was presented as a provider of pragmatic fire safety solutions based on real-world project experience and engineering judgement.
The company’s approach is focused on offering engineered alternatives to conventional remediation, which can avoid invasive and high-cost work while maintaining safety performance.
According to PartB, its experience shows that compliance can in some cases be achieved through engineered solutions that maintain fire safety without defaulting to full-scale replacement.
Jamie Davis, PartB Group Chief Technical Officer, explained that the publication of the white paper marks an important step for the partners.
Jamie Davis, PartB Group Chief Technical Officer, said: “We are proud to announce the publication of this white paper.
“It marks a significant progress in enhancing collaboration to ensure proper testing and compliance measures.
“By sharing these insights, we aim to promote safer building environments and strengthen our commitment to innovation and technical excellence in fire risk mitigation, in a proportionate and responsible manner”
Panel session at London Build and access to the paper
The FPA said representatives from the three organisations will take part in a panel discussion on the Fire Safety Stage at London Build to explain how the collaboration relates to modern methods of construction.
The session, titled Ensuring Fire Safety in MMC: Addressing Industry Concerns, is scheduled for Thursday 20 November at 10:00.
Speakers are due to include Simon Ince, Programme Manager – UK/Europe Codes and Regulatory Services at UL Solutions, George Edwardes, Technical Director at the Fire Protection Association, and Richard Howells, Managing Director (Technical Services) at PartB.
The panel will also feature Jon Cumberlidge, Co-Founder and Director at C3 Design Approvals.
The FPA confirmed that hard copies of the joint paper will be available at the panel session and at the FPA trade stand during London Build.
The organisations added that the full Testing Times paper on the collaboration can also be downloaded online.
They stated that the collaboration is intended to support a safer, greener and higher-quality future for UK buildings by providing reliable, independent fire performance data to project teams.
How independent fire testing data could be used in practice
For architects, fire engineering consultants and building services engineers working on UK projects, this collaboration offers a route to obtain independent fire performance data on products, systems and interfaces that have been tested in an impartial laboratory environment.
For facility managers across industrial, commercial and public sectors, the availability of transparent test evidence may help in assessing existing installations and planning remediation strategies where fire safety concerns have been identified.
For system installers, fire-protection contractors and risk assessors, access to testing that covers complete assemblies such as wall systems, fire doors and joints can support more accurate specification and on-site verification of installed solutions.
For standards and certification bodies and relevant government departments, the partners’ stated focus on impartial testing and traceable data aligns with regulatory frameworks linked to the Building Safety Act, the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway programme and extended liability under the Defective Premises Act.
For organisations working with modern methods of construction, the London Build panel and the Testing Times paper provide insight into how engineered solutions and system-level testing approaches are being applied to address fire safety concerns in newer forms of construction.
Fire Cadets help shape expansion of NFCC’s StayWise
Fire Cadets from across the UK have contributed to the next phase of StayWise, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) digital fire safety education platform.
According to StayWise, the collaboration took place during a residential event in Wiltshire organised by the NFCC Prevention Hub.
Cadets and instructors from Merseyside, Leicestershire, Cheshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Devon and Somerset, South Wales and Northamptonshire attended.
The event formed part of NFCC’s ongoing effort to expand access to fire safety education and develop leadership opportunities for young people aged 13 to 18.
Cadets contribute to design of new StayWise section
Over the weekend, participants helped design the new UK Fire Cadet section of the StayWise website.
This section will include resources to develop operational skills and materials identified by cadets as important to their personal growth.
Content areas include fire safety, first aid, road safety and water safety education, alongside career development guidance and support for rank progression.
Instructors will also gain access to a dedicated library of safeguarding and leadership resources.
StayWise said workshops led by its team enabled cadets to map out the structure, content and user experience of the new online area.
Between sessions, cadets took part in outdoor and team-building activities at PGL Liddington.
Funding supports StayWise and Fire Cadets programme
The event was supported by a £500,000 government grant awarded to NFCC by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The funding is intended to expand the reach of the UK Fire Cadets programme and improve access to fire safety education through digital channels.
According to NFCC, the grant will help create new opportunities for young people across the country while strengthening the Fire Cadet Voice Forum’s role in shaping programme content.
Insights from the Wiltshire event will directly inform the design and content of the StayWise Fire Cadets area.
This ensures that materials reflect the priorities of cadets and instructors nationwide.
NFCC highlights cadets’ engagement and creativity
Sarah Mason, NFCC Head of Prevention, said: “It was fantastic to see our Fire Cadets so engaged in helping to shape their part of our StayWise website.
“It also allows us to make our work more meaningful and accessible.
“By listening to their views, we’re making sure our services and products reflect what our users truly need.
“The whole group was incredibly supportive, creative and professional – they are a real credit to their units and their fire and rescue services.”
Digital platform aims to strengthen youth fire safety education
The enhanced StayWise platform will provide interactive educational materials for use by Fire Cadets, instructors and schools.
StayWise said it encourages parents, teachers and those with caring responsibilities for young people to register and support the initiative.
The platform continues to promote the message: “StayWise to Save Lives.”
Developing leadership and prevention skills through StayWise
The development of the new Fire Cadet section within StayWise highlights NFCC’s focus on youth engagement and prevention.
By giving cadets a direct role in shaping digital educational tools, the NFCC supports early leadership development and increases awareness of fire, road and water safety among young people.
For instructors and fire and rescue services, the new materials will provide a consistent framework for training, safeguarding and community outreach.
The inclusion of career development resources could also help attract future recruits to the fire and rescue sector.