Fire Committee letters on London Fire Commissioner priorities

The London Assembly Fire Committee has written to the new London Fire Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, following a meeting to discuss his priorities for London Fire Brigade (LFB).

The Committee makes three recommendations to the Commissioner:

• By November 2026, LFB should either: (i) carry out an analysis of its performance against the 19 Fire Standards Board standards; or (ii) conduct a self-assessment of its performance against the HMICFRS 2025-27 inspection framework. 
• LFB should share the findings of the review of LFB’s HR function once complete, and update the Committee on progress towards implementing any recommendations annually (ahead of the Committee’s Q&A with the Commissioner and Deputy Mayor).
• In the Commissioner's term, the Committee encourages him to explore how LFB could establish a structured, research-led approach to innovation and risk management.

The Committee has also written to the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service, asking for more detail on how the Greater London Authority will support the new LFC to deliver and sustain the improvements demanded of LFB.