Responding to today’s statement from the Deputy Prime Minister on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Mark Hardingham, said:
“At the forefront of our minds as we heard the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement today were the 72 people who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire. For their families, survivors, and the community today is another day living without the people they love and living with the memory of the events of 14th June 2017.
“We strongly welcome the Government’s acceptance of the Phase 2 recommendations in full, their commitment to introducing tough reforms to fix building safety, their promise to hold industry to account, and their support in fire and rescue service improvement and reform. We will study the Government’s proposed reforms in detail, and we remain committed to working collaboratively with them and other partners to support the implementation of the recommendations whilst also providing constructive feedback where further progress is needed.
“We remember the bravery and selflessness of the firefighters who responded to the fire. We also accept that there must be further learning from that night and that more improvements are required to support communities better in the future. Fire and rescue services have sought to learn the lessons of the Grenfell Tower fire over the last eight years; services are now better prepared to respond to fires in high-rise residential buildings. But there is further, significant, work underway to ensure we address the systemic failures that led to the loss of 72 lives. In the months that have followed the publication of the Phase 2 report we have worked closely with fire and rescue services, collecting information about their progress against these recommendations to inform the further work required. NFCC will be publishing delivery plans against the Phase 2 recommendations specific to fire and rescue this spring, ensuring we drive meaningful progress with commitment and pace.
“We steadfastly share the Government’s commitment to ensuring there is a legacy of justice for the victims, the bereaved and the survivors.”