Background:
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a Lead Officer for Fires in Tall Buildings.

The role will chair a working group reporting to the Firefighting Board, which reports to the NFCC Operational Preparedness, Response and Resilience Committee.

The postholder will provide strong national leadership on fires in tall buildings, bringing together fire and rescue services and key partners to strengthen operational preparedness, response and resilience across the UK. As the built environment becomes taller, denser and increasingly complex, the role will help ensure that national thinking, guidance and operational capabilities continue to evolve, enabling fire and rescue services to anticipate and adapt to new and emerging challenges while improving the safety of the public and firefighters.

The postholder will lead an effective working group, drive continuous improvement, promote collaboration and help shape good practice across UK fire and rescue services.

Expectations of a lead officer

  • To be aware of NFCC’s Member Strategy to ensure that work within their lead area remains aligned to the principles and objectives of NFCC
  • To demonstrate NFCC values and follow the Core Code of Ethics
  • To oversee, guide and champion their lead subject area at a national level
  • Represent NFCC, and therefore UK fire and rescue services, as a subject matter adviser where appropriate; this may include:
  • NFCC meetings
  • External meetings
  • Responding to the media, although any media representation should be pre-agreed with the NFCC Communications Team
  • Maintain a strong understanding of developments within their lead area, including horizon scanning and across related subject areas
  • Ensure that they maintain good communication through their NFCC reporting line and throughout any NFCC networks, as appropriate
  • To consult as widely as possible, and as appropriate, if national guidance, position or perspective products are being produced
  • To work alongside NFCC hubs or teams, to ensure clear and consistent messaging for announcements and campaigns

The successful candidate will be required to:

  • Provide a strong and consistent national voice on matters relating to Fires in Tall Buildings
  • Lead and coordinate activity relating to Fires in Tall Buildings, working with other lead officers to identify priorities, risks, opportunities and areas requiring national support
  • Engage with fire and rescue services, NFCC hub leads, government departments, partner agencies and wider sector stakeholders
  • Support the development, review and maintenance of relevant guidance, position statements, resources and good practice
  • Promote a collaborative, multi-agency approach to improving operational preparedness, response and resilience
  • Ensure the OPRR Committee and relevant workstreams are kept informed of current challenges, emerging issues, good practice and opportunities for improvement
  • Recognise and reflect the different approaches, responsibilities and arrangements across the devolved nations of the UK
  • Support alignment between OPRR activity, NFCC strategy and wider national operational priorities

We are looking for a senior manager who has:

  • A good understanding of the current strategy, campaigns and challenges in this area at a local and/or national level
  • A good understanding of the issues and difference in approach required across the UK’s devolved nations
  • A great communicator, who has a real passion for Fires in Tall Buildings
  • Has previous experience of bringing partners together to achieve a common goal

If you would like to discuss the opportunity above, please contact:

Ben Levy

Current Fires in Tall Buildings Lead Officer

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

M: 07966 098580

E: levyb@manchesterfire.gov.uk

or,

Paul Bremble

Senior Operational Response Officer

National Fire Chiefs Council

E: Paul.bremble@nfcc.org.uk

To apply, please complete this form, providing details of qualifications and experience relevant to this post.

Please note that we are unable to accept any other form of application. Should you have any queries, please email: nfccadminsupport@nfcc.org.uk

Closing date: 19th November 2026, midday.