Counter-terrorism

This new section of Operational Guidance was endorsed by the NFCC Operational Guidance Forum on 8 December 2025, and approved by the NFCC Operational Preparedness, Response and Resilience Committee on 15 January 2026.

Working to prevent, prepare, protect and pursue against terrorism will continue to be a crucial role played by fire and rescue services, one that is not likely to diminish. Ensuring communities and individuals’ way of life across the UK is protected is of utmost importance, and fire and rescue services must remain committed to delivering effect in this area to discharge its core function – to act to save life. The UK Fire and Rescue Service Counter-Terrorism Strategy, on which this guidance is based, has been developed by the NFCC National Security Coordinator.

This section of Operational Guidance is only for the direct use of UK fire and rescue services. The guidance must not be shared with any other individual or organisation, and should be treated as OFFICIAL – SENSITIVE, in keeping with the strategy on which it has been based.

The guidance does not have any tactical actions. There are 29 new strategic actions:

• SA-190203
• SA-190205
• SA-190209
• SA-190211
• SA-190213
• SA-190216
• SA-190218
• SA-190220
• SA-190222
• SA-190224
• SA-190226
• SA-190228
• SA-190230
• SA-190232
• SA-190234
• SA-190236
• SA-190238
• SA-190240
• SA-190242
• SA-190244
• SA-190246
• SA-190248
• SA-190250
• SA-190252
• SA-190254
• SA-190256
• SA-190258
• SA-190260
• SA-190262