Recommendation MAI-40: Include GMFRS capabilities in GMP Major Incident Plan
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Plan should be reviewed to ensure that it includes clear guidance on the capabilities of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, including its Specialist Response Team, as well as on the importance of joint working.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended that Greater Manchester Police's major incident plan include fire service capabilities. Relaying progress in February 2026, the Cabinet Office stated that the plan includes a section written by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on its capabilities and specialist assets, including the Specialist Response Team (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). It added that this text, containing guidance for commanders and responders, was reviewed by the fire service and the Greater Manchester Blue Light Working Group ahead of publishing the next plan (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). Guidance on the importance of joint working is not mentioned in the update (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 5 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Accepted in full
Delivery
Cabinet Office says completed (27 February 2026)
GMP's Major Incident Plan has a section on the capabilities of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and this includes details of its specialist assets such as the Specialist Response Team. This section was written by GMFRS and has been reviewed by them and the Greater Manchester Blue Light Working Group in advance of the publication of the next version of the Major Incident Plan. This section contains relevant details for both Commanders and Responders
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
GMP's Major Incident Plan has a section on the capabilities of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and this includes details of its specialist assets such as the Specialist Response Team. This section was written by GMFRS and has been reviewed by them and the Greater Manchester Blue Light Working Group in advance of the publication of the next version of the Major Incident Plan. This section contains relevant details for both Commanders and Responders
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Published evidence
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Summary by this site of the published finding
JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement