In his New Year message, the London Fire Commissioner, [Commissioner’s Name], extended his gratitude to all the firefighters, control officers, and support service colleagues who worked tirelessly over the holiday period to ensure the safety of Londoners. He wished everyone a happy and safe Christmas, acknowledging their dedication and commitment.
Reflecting on the past year, [Commissioner’s Name] highlighted the emergence of new risks as the London Fire Brigade (LFB) continued its journey to become a world-class service for the residents of London.
#ChargeSafe and the Risk of Lithium Batteries The year 2023 began tragically with the loss of 21-year-old Londoner Sofia Duarte in an e-bike battery fire. Her story became a focal point of LFB’s #ChargeSafe campaign, which was launched in March. [Commissioner’s Name] expressed his gratitude to Sofia’s family and friends for their unwavering support in raising awareness about the dangers associated with batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters.
E-bike and e-scooter battery fires emerged as the fastest-growing fire trend in London in 2023, with an average of one fire occurring every two days. Throughout the year, LFB worked diligently to raise awareness of this risk, resulting in nearly six in ten Londoners (58%) being aware of the potential dangers by September 2023, according to public polling.
Looking ahead to 2024, LFB remains committed to its #ChargeSafe campaign and will advocate for regulatory changes to enhance the safety of Londoners. Collaboration with the Home Office, Electrical Safety First, and the Office for Product Safety and Standards will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Delivering Recommendations While actively seeking change externally, LFB has also focused on implementing change within its organization. The upcoming year will see the completion of the last remaining recommendations from the first phase of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The tragic fire at Grenfell Tower was a pivotal moment, and LFB is prepared to act upon the findings when the phase two report of the inquiry is published later in the year, ensuring that such a tragedy never occurs again.
Simultaneously, LFB is addressing the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry with the support of the Mayor of London. Firefighters will soon be equipped with new, integrated radios and breathing apparatus. The introduction of new Command Units will empower incident commanders with better information to manage crises effectively. An ambitious training program, coupled with innovative protective equipment, is also underway.
Improving for London Throughout the past year, LFB has made substantial improvements in the services it provides. Home fire safety visits for vulnerable individuals in London have been transformed, with a focus on reaching high-risk groups within four hours. Additionally, the Home Fire Safety Checker tool, offering tailored advice for individual homes, has seen increased usage compared to the previous year.
The commitment to improvements extends to wildfire management, especially in response to the growing climate emergency. LFB introduced new equipment and training to combat wildfires following a review in the summer of 2022. Furthermore, two high-tech river boats, Tanner and Errington, are now fully operational, responding to incidents on the River Thames.
As these developments continue into 2024, LFB remains dedicated to enhancing workplace culture. The organization introduced new training for managers and leaders, along with a set of core values: service, integrity, teamwork, equity, courage, and learning.
In conclusion, [Commissioner’s Name] emphasized that the London Fire Brigade is continually evolving and improving to better serve the communities it protects. The year 2024 promises to be no different, as the Commissioner and the entire LFB team remain dedicated to their mission to serve and protect the capital with unwavering energy and passion.
