Recommendation P1-19: Train control room staff on evacuation advice changes
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 1 Report, published 30 October 2019.
Recommendation
Control room staff receive training directed specifically to handling such a change of advice and conveying it effectively to callers.
In brief (written by this site)
In February 2025, the Home Office reported that this recommendation had been completed across fire and rescue services (Home Office, Feb 2025). It recorded that a National Fire Chiefs Council survey found all 43 English services had completed the action, while the London Fire Brigade confirmed that training for control room staff was complete and embedded through exercises (Home Office, Feb 2025).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
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 for fire and rescue services: complete
The National Fire Chiefs Council surveyed all fire and rescue services (with the exception of the LFB) in England about their progress against the recommendations. In relation to 33.15f (which is linked to recommendation 33.15e), All 43 services have completed this action.
Status for London Fire Brigade: complete
The LFB has reported that recommendation 33.15f has been completed. Training for all Control staff has been given and the learning embedded by participation in a series of high-rise firefighting exercises.
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 for fire and rescue services: In Progress
The National Fire Chiefs Council surveyed all fire and rescue services (with the exception of the LFB) in England about their progress against the recommendations. In relation to 33.15f (which is linked to recommendation 33.15e), 42 of 43 services have completed this action.
As with recommendation 33.15e, Northumberland FRS expects to have completed this by December 2024.
Status for London Fire Brigade: Complete
The LFB has reported that recommendation 33.15f has been completed. Training for all Control staff has been given and the learning embedded by participation in a series of high-rise firefighting exercises.
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 for fire and rescue services: In progress
In October 2023, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) surveyed all fire and rescue services (with the exception of the LFB) in England about their progress against the recommendations. In relation to 33.15f (which is linked to recommendation 33.15e):
95% of services (41 services) said they have completed this recommendation.
2% of services (one service) has made the necessary changes but are still training their staff.
2% of services (one service) aligns to guidance but have not reviewed policies.
Status for London Fire Brigade: Complete
The LFB has reported that recommendation 33.15f has been completed. Training for all Control staff has been given and the learning embedded by participation in a series of high-rise firefighting exercises.
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