Recommendation P2-41: Consider guidance on firefighter initiative deviations
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
We cannot tell whether in any of those cases they would have been able to rescue people higher up the building if they had not done so, but we recommend that National Fire Chiefs Council consider whether, and if so in what circumstances, firefighters should be discouraged from departing from their instructions on their own initiative and provide appropriate training in how to respond to a situation of that kind. (113.65)
In brief (written by this site)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported in September 2026 that the recommendation was complete and had been fully discharged, following the approval and publication of updated guidance and supporting training materials (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The National Fire Chiefs Council had accepted the recommendation in February 2025, noting that it would review existing guidance on crew briefing and debriefing and survey services to determine appropriate training measures (National Fire Chiefs Council response, 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 National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) accepts this recommendation. Firefighters operate in an extremely high-risk and dynamic environment where responding to changes is essential to safe working practice. The ability to communicate changes in the operating environment, in real time, and the need to deviate from objectives at times, is essential. NFCC has reviewed existing relevant guidance on the briefing and debriefing of crews and is surveying fire and rescue services to determine what additional measures might support awareness and training in this area. The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says completed (10 September 2026)
Timeline for delivery
2025
- Review and propose changes to the current National Operational Guidance relating to the dynamic nature of firefighting (particularly by breathing apparatus crews) and the need for firefighters to be able to respond to changing circumstances and make decisions for their and other people’s safety. – Complete
- Agree content of learning materials to support updated guidance. – Complete
2026
- National Fire Chiefs Council subject matter advisers to approve proposed changes to National Operational Guidance. – Complete
- Publish updated guidance. – Complete
- Develop and draft learning materials to support updated guidance. – Complete
- Guidance Learning and Scrutiny Panel to approve learning materials. – Complete
- Publish learning materials to support updated guidance. – Complete
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (10 September 2026)
Since the May 2026 report, the updated guidance has been approved and published. Supporting training materials in the form of ‘micro-learn’ have been developed and user testing has been completed. Approval was given at the Guidance and Scrutiny Panel held on 1 September 2026 with subsequent publication expected imminently.
This recommendation is now complete and has been fully discharged.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) began developing an action and delivery plan to address the recommendations. This work was informed by a survey of fire and rescue services to understand current arrangements and identify where further support might be needed. The plan was subsequently shared with key stakeholders, including MHCLG.
Survey results showed that most services had already provided training on effective communication, situational awareness and the deployment of breathing apparatus users. Recognising the importance of clear briefing, understanding, debriefing and real‑time communication, the NFCC reviewed the relevant national guidance to ensure these areas were fully covered.
The review was completed in September 2025 and led to proposed updates to the Incident Command guidance, including new hazards and control measures. Drafting of the new guidance is complete and awaiting review by the National Command and Control User Group. The revised guidance will then go through the usual governance steps and subject to approval, is expected to be published in June 2026.
Supporting learning materials relating to the updated guidance will be developed and are expected to be published alongside the guidance before the end of June 2026.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- National Fire Chiefs Council
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement