Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure fire and rescue services keep pace with (a) international best practice and (b) technological advancements.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) maintains a proactive approach to identifying international best practices through its established workstreams. These workstreams encompass areas such as technological innovation, operational tactics, and strategic response, providing valuable insights that can inform the continuous improvement of Fire and Rescue Services.

Fire and Rescue Authorities are operationally independent from central government. Decisions on how resources are deployed—including the adoption of new technologies—are made locally. Each authority assesses its own risks and local circumstances to determine the most effective ways to protect its communities.