SPEECH- Fire Safety Minister's speech at the LGA's 2026 Fire Conference
At RLB Safeguarding Ltd, we see first-hand the importance of these themes through the safeguarding training and consultancy we deliver to Fire and Rescue Services, Fire and Rescue Authorities, and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners. As expectations around leadership, governance and professional standards continue to evolve, ensuring staff and leaders are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to fulfil their responsibilities has never been more important.
Building a Fire and Rescue Service Fit for the Future
The Fire Safety Minister’s recent address at the Local Government Association (LGA) Fire Conference set out the Government’s vision for the future of fire and rescue services in England. At its core, the message was clear: the sector faces growing and increasingly complex challenges, and reform is needed to ensure services remain resilient, professional and equipped for the risks of tomorrow.
Why Change is Needed
The Minister acknowledged the dedication and professionalism of those working across fire and rescue services but highlighted that many of the structures governing the sector including pay frameworks, training models and role definitions have remained largely unchanged for decades. The Government believes these systems no longer reflect the realities of modern fire and rescue work and require significant modernisation.
The speech also recognised how events such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy exposed systemic shortcomings and reinforced the need for continuous improvement in fire safety, governance and professional standards.
Emerging Risks Demand a New Approach
Fire and rescue services are increasingly responding to incidents beyond traditional firefighting duties. Non-fire incidents have risen significantly over the last decade, while climate change, flooding, wildfires, evolving building risks and wider resilience challenges continue to place new demands on services.
The Minister stressed that future services must be more adaptable, highly trained and capable of responding to a wider range of emergencies than ever before.
Four Key Reform Priorities
The Government’s reform programme focuses on four main areas:
Strengthening the National Framework- A revised Fire and Rescue National Framework is planned, providing clearer direction and expectations for fire and rescue authorities while supporting greater consistency across the sector.
Establishing a College of Fire and Rescue- A proposed College of Fire and Rescue would help professionalise the sector by developing national standards, supporting training and promoting consistency in service delivery. A consultation on its future role and structure is expected to inform the next stages of development.
Modernising Roles and Workforce Structures- The Government intends to review how fire and rescue services are organised and how workforce capabilities can evolve to meet future demands. This includes examining pay structures, pensions and the important role of on-call firefighters in maintaining resilience across communities.
Reforming Governance- The forthcoming English Devolution Bill may allow some Mayors to assume fire and rescue authority responsibilities. The Government has stated that any future governance changes will be developed in consultation with the sector and with a focus on improving outcomes for communities.
Culture, Diversity and Investment
Alongside structural reform, the Minister highlighted the importance of creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Increasing representation across the sector is viewed as an essential part of building services that better reflect and engage with the communities they serve.
The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to investment, pointing to recent funding increases and a wider review of how fire and rescue services are funded and how risk is assessed nationally.
What This Means for Fire Safety Professionals
For organisations involved in fire safety, building compliance and risk management, the speech signals a continued focus on professional standards, competency and accountability. The proposed reforms aim to create a more consistent and resilient fire and rescue sector while strengthening the systems that underpin public safety.
As these proposals develop, fire safety professionals, responsible persons and building owners should expect ongoing discussions around competency, governance, workforce development and the management of emerging risks.
Competency Remains a Key Focus
The proposal for a College of Fire and Rescue reinforces a message that has become increasingly prominent across the fire safety industry: competency matters.
Over recent years, regulators have placed greater emphasis on demonstrable skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours across all those involved in the design, construction, management and assessment of buildings.
For organisations procuring fire safety services, the question is no longer simply whether a provider can undertake the work, but whether they can demonstrate the appropriate competence to do so.
Selecting suitably qualified and experienced fire safety professionals can provide confidence that legal obligations are being met and that fire risks are being effectively managed.
Preparing for a More Regulated Future
Although many of the reforms outlined remain subject to consultation, the overall direction is clear. Government policy continues to move towards:
Greater accountability.
Stronger professional standards.
Improved governance.
Better use of data and risk intelligence.
Increased collaboration across the fire safety sector.
Rather than waiting for new requirements to emerge, organisations can benefit from reviewing their fire safety arrangements now and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Those who adopt a proactive approach are likely to be better positioned to meet future regulatory expectations and demonstrate compliance.
At RLB Safeguarding, we welcome initiatives that support improved standards, greater professionalism and stronger collaboration across the fire safety sector. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and proactive remains essential to ensuring buildings, businesses and communities remain safe.
The Minister's speech highlights a sector continuing its journey towards greater professionalism and resilience. While many of the proposed reforms focus on Fire and Rescue Services, the underlying principles apply across the wider fire safety landscape.
Effective fire safety management depends on competent people, robust governance and a commitment to continuous improvement. As legislation, guidance and expectations evolve, organisations that prioritise these principles will be best placed to protect both occupants and assets while maintaining compliance with their legal duties.
Read the full speech here
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