Recommendation P1-12: Train control room operators on incident commander communications
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 Report, published 30 October 2019.
Recommendation
All CROs of Assistant Operations Manager rank and above receive training directed to the specific requirements of communication with the incident commander.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended training senior control room operators on communicating with incident commanders. The Home Office stated in February 2025 that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported the recommendation had been completed (Home Office, Feb 2025). The department noted that all control staff had received training on a revised Fire Survival Guidance policy issued in March 2021 and were taking part in residential high-rise exercises to embed learning (Home Office, Feb 2025). That update did not mention training directed to communications with the incident commander or staff of Assistant Operations Manager rank (Home Office, Feb 2025).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 19 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
About this summary
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The record reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Government response
The government accepted in principle all the Phase 1 recommendations directed at central government. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick presented the formal response to Parliament on 21 January 2020, committing to swift and decisive action including new duties on building owners and managers to provide information to fire and rescue services, install premises information boxes, conduct regular inspections of lifts and fire doors, and equip buildings with evacuation signal facilities. The government stated it had already taken action in advance of the report and was actively looking beyond the remit of these recommendations.
Delivery
Home Office says completed (26 February 2025)
Status: complete
The LFB has reported that this recommendation has been completed.
For recommendation 33.14c, all of their Control staff have received training on the revised Policy Number 790 (Fire Survival Guidance) and the policy, including a specific appendix for Control staff, was published on 31 March 2021. Control staff are taking part in a series of residential high-rise exercises to further embed the learning.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, February 2025
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Home Office (16 September 2024)
Status: Complete
The LFB has reported that this recommendation has been completed.
For recommendation 33.14c, all of their Control staff have received training on the revised Policy Number 790 (Fire Survival Guidance) and the policy, including a specific appendix for Control staff, was published on 31 March 2021. Control staff are taking part in a series of residential high-rise exercises to further embed the learning.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, September 2024
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Home Office (5 February 2024)
Status: Complete
The LFB has reported that this recommendation has been completed.
For recommendation 33.14c, all of their Control staff have received training on the revised Policy Number 790 (Fire Survival Guidance) and the policy, including a specific appendix for Control staff, was published on 31 March 2021. Control staff are taking part in a series of residential high-rise exercises to further embed the learning.
From: Progress against the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations, February 2024
Site note: This is the Home Office's thematic update on progress against the Phase 1 recommendations. Its introduction says it includes updates from the relevant government departments and assurances received from the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade and other emergency services on their progress. The status line and the passage are the Home Office's compilation of what those bodies reported to it; where the passage gives a status for fire and rescue services and a separate one for London Fire Brigade, both are shown as printed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Home Office
Delivery statement