Recommendation MAI-85: NWFC involvement in multi-agency exercises
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
North West Fire Control should take steps to ensure that it is involved in multi-agency exercises, particularly those that test mobilisation and the response to a Major Incident in line with the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP).
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended that North West Fire Control participate in multi-agency exercises. In February 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that a Central Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) team provides assurance for emergency service control rooms and that local groups support exercising, though the department did not mention North West Fire Control (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). Previously, the UK Government confirmed in November 2025 that it accepted the recommendation in full (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025).
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 in progress (27 February 2026)
JESIP is becoming more widely embedded across the emergency service community. The establishment of the Central JESIP team, a dedicated resource funded by the Home Office allows for a greater degree of assurance and scrutiny. This assurance work includes the work of emergency service control rooms and interoperability. Many services are reporting on the establishment of local and regional JESIP groups to support local testing, exercising and response.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
JESIP is becoming more widely embedded across the emergency service community. The establishment of the Central JESIP team, a dedicated resource funded by the Home Office allows for a greater degree of assurance and scrutiny. This assurance work includes the work of emergency service control rooms and interoperability. Many services are reporting on the establishment of local and regional JESIP groups to support local testing, exercising and response.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
Published evidence
Published findings referenced by inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether the finding is independent or government self-reported. Each finding is this site's summary of what the source found, with a link to the source; this site does not add its own progress rating.
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