Charlie Pugsley appointed Deputy Commissioner of London Fire Brigade

by Featured NewsPeople

Charlie Pugsley’s extensive experience in fire safety leadership

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has announced the appointment of Charlie Pugsley as the new Deputy Commissioner, following the retirement of Dom Ellis.

Ellis left the brigade after a commendable 35 years of service.

Pugsley brings to the role a remarkable 28 years of experience within the LFB, covering a range of leadership positions, most notably as an Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection.

Charlie Pugsley’s journey in the London Fire Brigade

Before his appointment in 2022, Pugsley held the position of Deputy Assistant Commissioner in Fire Safety for five years.

His career at the brigade’s headquarters was preceded by significant roles, including leading the Fire Investigation team at Dowgate fire station and being involved in major fire investigations, such as the Grenfell Tower fire, from 2004 to 2017.

Pugsley’s commitment to fire safety and community support

Charlie Pugsley expressed his dedication to the brigade’s mission, highlighting the consistent professionalism, teamwork, and courage displayed by firefighters and officers.

“Fire Investigation has taught me so much, not just about how fires start or spread, but especially about how fires seriously impact people’s lives,” Pugsley said.

His experience in fire investigation and direct engagement with fire victims and their communities has reinforced his commitment to equitable service provision.

National contributions and future aspirations

In addition to his role in the LFB, Pugsley serves as the National Fire Chiefs Council’s lead officer for Electrical Safety and Fire Investigation.

He has played a pivotal role in significant safety campaigns, including the #ChargeSafe campaign aimed at addressing lithium battery safety.

Looking forward, Pugsley expressed his enthusiasm about leading the brigade through upcoming challenges and successes, emphasizing the importance of community safety.

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis retires after 35 years of service

by Featured NewsPeople

Dom Ellis: Career overview and contributions

London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner, Dom Ellis, has retired after 35 years of service to the city.

Ellis joined the Brigade in February 1989 at the age of 20, equipped with a cork helmet, woollen tunic, and iconic yellow plastic trousers.

His career has been marked by involvement in high-profile incidents including the ‘Stop the City’ protests, the Grenfell Tower fire, London terrorist attacks, and the 2022 wildfires.

Dom Ellis recalled his early days: “I came into firefighting just to give it a couple of years and to see how it would go.

“My grandfather was in the fire service, so there was some family history and it had always been in the back of my mind as a job option.”

Career progression and training evolution

His initial years at Erith and then Knightsbridge Fire Station laid the foundation for a remarkable journey through the ranks.

After five years, Ellis embarked on a path of promotions across various stations, culminating in the role of Station Officer at Tottenham Fire Station.

His experiences also included important training in Urban Search and Rescue in Texas, prompted by the 9/11 terror attacks.

Ellis shared insights into the evolution of firefighter training: “When you were training up back then, you didn’t see a fire, you didn’t train on one.

“The first fire I attended was in Erith where people were reported to be inside.

“Nowadays, trainees have access to so much more to help prepare them for real-life incidents.”

Leadership and transformational contributions

Ellis’s leadership roles included serving as Staff Officer to former Deputy Commissioner Roy Bishop OBE and overseeing various strategic areas, including the Brigade’s operational front line.

He was instrumental in driving changes to operational policies and equipment, particularly in response to high-rise firefighting and wildfires.

Ellis reflected on the challenges posed by climate change: “Responding to climate change is going to be the number one challenge for all of us for the foreseeable future.”

He also highlighted the Brigade’s initiatives to improve responses to wildfires and the growing threat of lithium battery fires.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe expressed his gratitude: “I would like to personally thank Deputy Commissioner Dom Ellis for his 35 years’ exemplary service to London.

“He has played his own part in the Brigade’s rich history and leaves with many significant achievements.”

London Fire Brigade exits enhanced monitoring following improvements

by Featured News

Background and recent developments

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been removed from an enhanced level of monitoring by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

This change follows notable improvements made by the brigade.

HMICFRS routinely monitors the performance of all fire and rescue services in England through a two-stage process: Scan and Engage.

While all services are initially in the Scan stage, they may be escalated to the Engage stage if there are significant concerns that are not being effectively addressed.

In December 2022, LFB was moved into the Engage stage due to such concerns.

However, recent assessments have led to the brigade being reverted to routine monitoring.

Key Improvements by London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade has implemented several measures, contributing to its positive reassessment.

These include the active involvement of staff in developing and understanding brigade values, with most staff affirming that senior leaders embody these values.

Furthermore, there has been a commitment to enhance leadership skills among managers, evidenced by a comprehensive training programme.

Progress in improving the brigade’s human resources function and better processes to address issues like bullying and discrimination, notably the establishment of a Professional Standards Unit, has been acknowledged.

Moreover, LFB has developed a thorough plan for staff vetting and has shown promise in sustaining a cultural shift within the brigade.

Chief Inspector’s Statement

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services, Andy Cooke, commented on this development, saying: “I am pleased with the progress that London Fire Brigade has made so far.

“Whilst there is still more to do, I have decided to remove the brigade from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.

“I am reassured by the plans London Fire Brigade has in place to continue making improvements.

“The brigade will be inspected again this summer, when we will assess its progress to make sure the people of London are getting the service they deserve from their fire and rescue service.”

London Fire Commissioner’s Reaction

Reacting to the HMICFRS announcement, London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe expressed his gratitude and pride in the brigade’s staff.

Commissioner Roe stated: “The Inspectorate’s decision recognises the significant amount of work that has been undertaken over the last 15 months since the Independent Culture Review.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank the whole Brigade. This is important recognition for so many of our staff that go about their work professionally every day.

“I am proud that our core values are rooted in our incredible history which shows our staff’s courage and commitment to London.

“There is still more to do. As Commissioner, I have always been clear that the work to ensure that we have a safe and dignified workplace culture can never stop.

“I look forward to the Inspectorate, our staff and Londoners continuing to hold us to account.”

IFSJ Comment

The London Fire Brigade‘s transition from enhanced to routine monitoring signifies its commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to expected standards.

The steps taken by the brigade to enhance internal culture, staff training, and professional standards reflect a dedication to providing a reliable and ethical service to the community.

The ongoing efforts, as well as the upcoming inspection, will ensure that the brigade remains accountable and focused on serving the people of London effectively.

Historic London church destroyed overnight in large blaze

by ActiveBreaking News

St Mark’s church, a Grade II listed church in north-west London has been destroyed in a fire overnight. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that 80 firefighters attended the church in Hamilton Terrace in St John’s Wood after a call at 23:19 GMT on Thursday.

The fire brigade said there were no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire, which is under control, is not known. Westminster City Council said there would be local road closures until late morning, but all residents were “safe and accounted for”.

More than 10 fire engines were reportedly deployed to the scene, with crews from North Kensington, Paddington and West Hampstead working to put out the flames. Firefighters used three ladders to spray water onto the building, including two 34m (111 ft) ladders and one 64m (209 ft) ladder that is the tallest of its kind in Europe.

LFB said investigators were working to discover the cause of the blaze.

The National Churches Trust has described St Mark’s as an “architectural and historical treasure”. The Victorian church, which is more than 150 years old, has links to author Lewis Carroll and Queen Victoria’s son Prince Leopold and is situated near Abbey Road Studios and Lord’s Cricket Ground.

London Fire Commissioner sets agenda for 2023 in New Year Message

by Featured News

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe has delivered a New Year Message outlining the agenda for London Fire Brigade in 2023, including the start of its new Community Risk Management Plan, Your London Fire Brigade which he said sets out how they will change to help keep London safe in the coming years.

Roe said: “The plan has been updated based on the feedback of over 2,000 people and organisations that the Brigade engaged with last year. The plan has also been updated to reflect a key focus for me in 2023: changing our workplace culture.

“I have already taken action to improve the culture at the Brigade but there will be much more progress this year. This includes starting the pilot of our staff using body worn cameras when they engage with the public. I will be accountable to staff, stakeholders and communities as we change our culture over the coming year.”

He also said that 2023 will see an increase in improving how the brigade helps people to reduce risk in their homes: “We will be targeting the most vulnerable and at risk people with visits from firefighters as part of our Home Fire Safety Visits. For people who face less risk, our online safety checker will give you helpful support to make positive changes to your safety at home. If you haven’t completed our free Home Fire Safety Checker recently, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.”

Reflecting on the changes London Fire Brigade delivered in 2022, he said: “I welcomed the Mayor of London to a training exercise in May which showed how we had transformed our approach to tackling fires in high rise buildings.

“An important part of the exercise is using our new Fire Survival Guidance app which improves the flow of information between the incident ground and Brigade Control. Improving our response to high rise fires is an outcome from the 26 recommendations that we have completed in response to the first phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

“Our three 64 metre ladders – the tallest in Europe – and our eight 32 metre ladders are another important part of how we tackle fires in high rise buildings. They are part of a £40m investment in new equipment which also includes our new fire boats.

“The Mayor welcomed the boats to the Thames in September and following the completion of training, the boats enter service this year. They join our replacement Command Units which enter service this year. I’m committed to ensuring we have the right equipment we need to meet the challenges London faces.

“The heatwaves of 2022 meant we faced our busiest day since World War II. Firefighters, Control staff and support staff worked tirelessly to tackle significant fires, the likes of which had not been seen before in the United Kingdom. The climate emergency presents the Brigade with new challenges which we are committed to addressing.”

He added: “I am certain that 2023 will bring new challenges but as your London Fire Commissioner, I remain dedicated to ensuring that London Fire Brigade will be there for you. I’m proud to lead this organisation as we change for you.”

London Fire Brigade Independent Culture Review: Commissioner announces immediate action

by Featured News

London Fire Brigade has published the outcome report of an Independent Culture Review, led by Nazir Afzal OBE, which was commissioned last year by the Commissioner, with the support of the Mayor. Nazir and his team heard the experiences of over 2,000 current and former staff, and the public, including members of the Grenfell community. The report contains accounts of poor behaviour and painful experiences over many years.

Despite work by the Brigade to improve equality, diversity and inclusion, the report reveals that in the Brigade’s processes which means women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and members of the LGBT+ community have been more likely to experience poor treatment and do less well in their career.

The report also confirms that the disadvantage and discrimination that affects Brigade staff does not translate into its operations and does not impact on the way the Brigade prevents and responds to incidents.

The Commissioner has announced immediate action in response to the testimonies, analysis and recommendations from the review, as part of a long-term programme to improve the Brigade’s culture.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “Today is a very sobering day. There is no place for discrimination, harassment and bullying in the Brigade and from today it will be completely clear to all staff what behaviour isn’t acceptable and what the consequences will be.
 
“I am deeply sorry for the harm that has been caused. I will be fully accountable for improving our culture and I fully accept all of the 23 recommendations.”

Fire Brigade’s Union comment

Gareth Cook, Fire Brigades Union regional organiser for London, said: “The LFB report makes for difficult reading. The reported incidents of racism and misogyny are extremely alarming. There is no place for such behaviour or attitudes within the fire and rescue service or within our trade union. 

“The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) includes organised sections for black and ethnic minority members, for women members and for LGBT members. These sections were created because of discrimination, harassment and inequality within our industry and our union. We will ensure our equality sections are fully involved in any fuller response to this LFB report. 

“The FBU has policies in place to address issues of discrimination and harassment. This can include (after due process) the removal of representation from individuals accused of such acts. It can also include disciplinary processes through the FBU itself. Both of these have been implemented in such cases in the recent past. We shall review the effectiveness of our rules and policies in the light of issues raised and of issues we have identified ourselves. 

“The FBU, along with other trade unions, is already engaged in major work on the issue of sexual harassment. This includes issues in the workplace and also, if identified, within our own organisation. We have been working with the TUC and with the FBU womens’,section on this for some time and will bring forward changes to policies and structures as required.

“There are elements of this report which confirm concerns raised by the Fire Brigades Union over many years. There are also elements of the report which will cause considerable concern and alarm. We will need to study those areas carefully and respond more fully.

“The review highlights that morale and engagement in London Fire Brigade are low – 40% are frustrated in their job. Staff shortages, poor workforce planning, no leave availability, poor work-life balance and low recognition are cited. The review also finds there is a need for increased trauma specialism and mental health awareness. For us these findings of poor morale and a need for better mental health structures are highly linked.

“The review also acknowledges the pay restraints placed on our members through years of pay neglect. 

“The review has found that staff fear the consequences of speaking out as they fear the repercussions. That is entirely unacceptable and must change.”

Our rules and policies require every FBU member to treat others with dignity and respect and to challenge offensive behaviour of any kind. The union is committed to equality. We campaign against all discrimination by gender, race or ethnicity, sexuality, age, disability and religion or belief. We have a long record of campaigning on such issues.

However, we have raised concerns about many of the issues contained within this report historically and as a consequence we remain sceptical about the changes senior leaders will implement with regards to their own behaviours.

The London region of the FBU is committed to working to address these serious concerns. We aim to improve the working conditions of our members and protect them from discrimination and unfair or illegal treatment by representing them in the workplace. We are committed to building strong relationships between firefighters and local communities in all their diversity.

We have only very recently received this report and will continue to review it, as we look to build a full and detailed understanding of it.”

National Fire Chiefs Council comment

Mark Hardingham, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council said: “The NFCC is committed to supporting all aspects of the development of UK fire and rescue services, including culture and professionalism. The Independent Culture Review of London Fire Brigade contains disturbing and difficult information. We support LFB for recognising the need and commissioning this work as a positive step on a long, difficult but vitally important journey.

“We need to take the time to consider the report in full, but clearly the findings are wholly unacceptable of an inclusive, modern, blue light emergency service. I am clear that there is no place for harassment, bullying or discrimination in any fire and rescue service.

“I know that LFB has already accepted the recommendations in full – and, as they have communicated, will be taking immediate action in response, whilst also ensuring the long-term consideration of the cultural findings.

“We will be studying the report and its recommendations carefully and considering them in the context of every fire and rescue service in the UK. We have a clear Core Code of Ethics and equality, diversity and inclusion are woven throughout the standards, products and guidance we provide for fire and rescue services and will be redoubling these efforts. This will include looking at each of the report recommendations to consider how they will influence the future work of the NFCC.”

The NFCC added that it wished to highlight some of the national products available to support the fire sector, developed in collaboration with UK fire and rescue services, through the NFCC People and Leadership Programmes. This information can be found here.

London Mayor welcomes new fire boats on the Thames

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has welcomed London Fire Brigade’s new fire boats to the Thames as part of a £40 million investment made by City Hall to expand the Brigade’s fleet of equipment and vehicles.

The two new boats are named after Auxiliary Fireman Harry Errington and Auxiliary Firewoman Gillian Tanner, who in the Second World War were both awarded medals for bravery.

The Mayor committed to modernising and transforming the Brigade’s rescue resources – which includes investing in Europe’s first 64m ladders, new 32m ladders and two new replacement fire boats – so that the Brigade is better prepared, organised and equipped to fight fires and save lives anywhere in London.

On Thursday, the Mayor met crews from Lambeth River Station and was shown some of the high-tech equipment on board. The new boats are twice as fast as the two previous vessels and can reach speeds of forty knots. They can carry more life-saving equipment than ever before. As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats are fitted with a hydraulic crane for carrying out rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera.

The Mayor also visited a range of some of the Brigade’s latest equipment, including the new 64m and 32m turntable ladders, the new fire rescue unit and a Heavy Demountable Unit (HDU) unit (capable of transporting large quantities of foam to extinguish large fires).

London Fire Commissioner, Andy Roe, said: “The Brigade is transforming for London and our brand-new fire boats are the latest improvements to the new equipment we are rolling out.

“Our investment of around £40 million on our fleet over the last few years is part of our commitment to do all we can to meet the changing needs of our communities and keep Londoners safe long into the future; the fireboats will be a fantastic new addition to our fleet.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to see first-hand the new state-of-the-art fire boats, which are part of London Fire Brigade’s expanding fleet of specialist vehicles and high-tech equipment which will be used to help keep Londoners safe. They are part of a £40 million investment I have made as Mayor over the past three years as part of my commitment to modernise and transform the Brigade so that it is better prepared, organised and equipped to fight fires and keep all Londoners safe.

“The demands on London Fire Brigade have never been higher due to the extreme temperatures and terrible flash floods we have seen as a result of climate change. That’s why, as Mayor, I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure our frontline emergency services have the right resources, policies and equipment to serve all of London’s communities.”

Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, Dr Fiona Twycross, said: “I welcome the significant upgrading of vital rescue vehicles, appliances and equipment, which will help save more lives.

“The new fire boats are a brilliant addition to safety on the Thames and mean that the Brigade can tackle incidents of all kinds with dedicated teams on the water and on land, providing vital information to the fire service’s control room and emergency service partners to coordinate rescues.

“Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, our fire service has transformed the way it responds to incidents – especially fires in high-rise buildings across the capital – and it’s so important that we ensure that this progress continues at pace so that we deliver the very best fire service for London.”

Railway arch fire breaks out at Union Street, Southwark

by ActiveFeatured News

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire under the railway arches on Union Street Southwark earlier today.

A railway arch containing a number of vehicles was completely alight. Firefighters also investigated smoke coming from a platform at London Bridge Underground Station and confirmed this was coming from the fire on Union Street. There are currently no reports of any injuries.

Network Rail said it had also spread to a car park and a couple of electric cars were ablaze.

Southwark Street is closed between Southwark Bridge Road and Lavington Street whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe. 

The Brigade was called at 0929 and the fire was under control by 1120. Fire crews from Dowgate, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation

Station Commander Wayne Johnson, who was at the scene, said: “The blaze was producing heavy smoke and those living or working in the local area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed. 

“Trains to and from London Bridge are affected and several buildings were evacuated.”

London Mayor calls for public caution amid extreme weather conditions

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The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has joined the call led by London Fire Brigade urging public caution during the ongoing heatwave.

The Mayor visited Leytonstone near Hollow Ponds which last week saw two large grass fire scene to look at the damage caused and to thank firefighters for their efforts in protecting the capital in such arduous conditions.

During the visit the Mayor expressed his gratitude to firefighters for their hard work, after working in extreme temperatures for several weeks now. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We are currently experiencing the driest year since 1976 and the unprecedented high temperatures mean that the grass in London is tinderbox dry. The smallest of sparks can start a large and dangerous fire which could cause significant damage to our green spaces, homes and businesses and put lives at risk.

“That’s why it’s so important amid the ongoing heatwave and drought that we all play our part in preventing further fires and reducing the pressure on our emergency services.

“That means disposing of your litter – particularly glass – responsibly, putting out cigarettes properly, not using disposable barbecues and avoiding barbecues in open spaces or on balconies. We also need to stay away from the dangers of deep water in our canals, rivers and reservoirs, which can be deadly – even for strong swimmers. 

“Even though we have a drought warning in place, we are expecting rain this week. The ground is rock hard and can’t absorb rain as usual. This means the rain won’t fix the drought conditions and, if the downpour is heavy, there is a risk of flash flooding across London as water pools on the surface or overwhelms the drains.

“From City Hall, we’ve written to tens of thousands of households living in basements to raise awareness of the risks of flash flooding and steps to take to be prepared. Londoners should check their local council’s website for more information on action to take in case of a flood.”

MSA Safety selected by London Fire Brigade for breathing apparatus contract

by Breaking NewsBreathing ApparatusProducts

It has been announced that MSA Safety Incorporated has been selected for a $9 million contract to supply firefighters with the new M1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and telemetry technology, by London Fire Brigade. The delivery of equipment is expected to start towards the end of 2022.

This also marks the commencing of a multi-phase SCBA training and deployment process, including more than 4,500 of the Brigade’s firefighters.

The decision to upgrade London’s SCBA technology was made after an extensive and comprehensive evaluation process.

“The M1 SCBA represents the most advanced, ergonomic and modular SCBA that MSA has ever introduced to the European and International markets,” said Nish Vartanian, MSA Chairman, President and CEO. “We are incredibly proud to establish this new partnership with one of the oldest and most respected fire brigades in the world. Most importantly, we’re honoured that the London Fire Brigade has entrusted MSA with the responsibility of protecting the men and women who keep the residents of London safe each day.”

London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills said: “following a competitive tender process, we’re really looking forward to developing our exciting partnership with MSA. The new state-of-the-art breathing apparatus equipment will be lighter and easier to carry and provide enhanced safety for our firefighters. The improved equipment shows how we are transforming as a fire service and investing in the latest technology to help protect London and Londoners.”

The groundbreaking design of the MSA M1 SCBA was a key factor in London’s selection of the new SCBA platform. The breathing apparatus includes several patented and customisable features that help to enhance ergonomics and improve firefighter comfort and hygiene. These include the industry’s lightest-weight backplate with a unique one-handed height adjustment; an advanced hip belt that evenly distributes the weight of the SCBA; and a padded harness that is fully water-repellent, making the entire SCBA system machine washable without disassembly.

Other features that factored into the Brigade’s selection of the M1 SCBA include a high-pressure cylinder connection for fast cylinder exchanges; compatibility with MSA’s industry-leading G1 facepiece; and integration with FireGrid, which gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations in real time and from any location.

MSA’s Entry Control Board (ECB), designed specifically to meet the unique needs of the UK fire service, also played a key part in the Brigade’s decision to choose the MSA brand. Serving as a cloud-connected fire-ground management tool that provides Incident Commanders with air and alarm status of all telemetry-enabled breathing apparatus on scene, MSA’s ECB is also capable of providing post-incident reporting and automated documentation.

As part of the contract, MSA will also provide London with a new communications system that provides enhanced voice communications. Called the C1 Headset, the device attaches easily to the outside of the SCBA facepiece.

Vartanian commented that the SCBA contract with London represents the beginning of a new and exciting partnership. “As a company whose only mission is worker safety, we are incredibly proud to be associated with a brigade that is regarded as a genuine industry leader and advocate for firefighter safety. London is one of the most progressive and respected fire brigades in the world and as part of our Voice of the Customer process, we will certainly be seeking their input on future product development initiatives,” he concluded.

For more information, visit: gb.msasafety.com