Protection Committee

The Committee will:

  • Support the national response to the Grenfell Tower Fire, including the outcomes of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. This work is supported by the NFCC’s Protection Policy and Reform Unit. Find out more about the Protection and Building Safety work of the PRRU here
  • Improve the provision of a standardised approach to Protection policy, training and development to increase capacity and competence to deliver protection work.
  • Promote further reform of safety legislation and contribute to the revision of specific Building Regulations as appropriate and other national technical standards.
  • Provide additional support and guidance to business and continue to improve engagement, regulation and enforcement to improve safety and support economic development and growth. This includes a particular focus area within this work that supports Black and Minority Ethnic Businesses.
  • Maximise business partnerships and external funding opportunities.
  • Focus upon improving core fire and safety outcomes and commit to reducing operational demand across key indicators.
  • Work with businesses, the fire detection industry and alarm receiving centres to reduce unwanted fire alarm signals, making use of electronic data transfer and new fire alarm technology
  • Continue to work with Government departments, Devolved Administrations, Regulatory Delivery, Fire Sector Federation, Fire Protection Association, Association of British Insurers, Health and Safety Executive, businesses and others to promote improved fire safety outcomes, and minimise the cost of fire.
  • Work with the design, construction and building standards sectors to improve the safety, sustainability and fire performance of buildings and building materials, and improve modern methods of construction.
  • Improve inter-service and inter-agency fire investigation policy, procedures and the sharing of information and intelligence.
  • Develop improved communication links, information exchange and intelligence sharing with other enforcing authorities at local and national level.

Workstreams

  • Building Safety Programme
  • Fire Engineering and Technical Standards
  • Competency of Protection and Business Safety Staff
  • Automatic Fire Alarms/Unwanted Fire Signals
  • HMICFRS and Inspection Outcomes
  • Fire Investigation
  • Business Engagement and engaging with diverse business
  • Higher Risk Accommodation
  • Sprinklers/Automatic Fire Suppression Systems
  • Organisational Learning – Protection
  • RBIP and High-Risk Premises
  • Enforcement Working Group
  • Comprehensive Spending Review
  • SiteSafe and Timber Frame Group and Modern Methods of Construction
  • Event Safety
  • Petroleum & Explosives
  • Heritage
  • Waste fires

Chair, Gavin Tomlinson

Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson commenced his career with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service in 1993 as a Recruit Firefighter.

Over the last 20 years Gavin has served in many areas including operational station command, fire safety, learning and development and prevention.

In 2010, he was promoted to Area Manager responsible for Community Safety and the Tri Service Control project. In November 2015 Gavin was promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer. Gavin was promoted to his current role as Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive in September 2019 and was also NFCC’s lead on Automatic Water Suppression Systems/Sprinklers.

Gavin Tomlinson