Fire services should be able to access an enhanced level of vetting for staff to better ensure the safety and protection of the public, according to the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee.
In February 2023, the London Fire Commissioner told the Committee that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) was only able to request a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance for its staff but that “all the other emergency services can do an enhanced check”.
The Government announced in April 2023 that all fire and rescue services will be able to use standard DBS checks for their staff [1].
While this is welcome, the Committee has today written to the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire asking for the measure to be extended to allow access to enhanced level DBS checks.
It believes that this is particularly important for LFB in the wake of the Independent Culture Review, as these measures would better ensure the safety and protection of Londoners who engage with LFB staff in their homes.
The service carries out fire prevention work by providing fire safety advice to people in their own homes, with vulnerable adults prioritised for in-person visits. Over 35,000 in-person home fire safety visits were carried out in 2021.
Anne Clarke AM, Chair of the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, said:
“Nazir Afzal OBE’s Independent Culture Review of the London Fire Brigade found a toxic culture in parts of the service. It also identified specific concerns about the behaviour of firefighters undertaking home fire safety visits.
“The range and significance of work undertaken by LFB firefighters, alongside the findings of the Independent Culture Review, mean that the service needs to improve its selection and vetting process for its staff undertaking these trusted roles.
“The London Fire Commissioner has been clear that enhanced DBS checks are needed to do this effectively and we urge the Government to take this forward as soon as possible.”
ENDS
FREP DBS Letter
Home Office Response - FREP DBS
Notes to editors
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-rigorous-checks-for-fire-and-rescue-employees
- The letter is attached.
- Anne Clarke AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.