Breaking down barriers crucial to reducing fire costs

摘要

A holistic approach to fire prevention and safety was one of the themes of this year's keynote address, given by the government's chief fire advisor at the Fire Industry Association's AGM and annual lunch held in London last month. Sir Ken Knight said the key was getting the balance right between protection, prevention and response. That is why the partnerships that are being formed in fire safety - such as meetings between the FIA and the minister for fire safety on topics such as legislation, fire service trading and the false alarms policy - are so important. He also reported that the industry would be consulted on the updated framework for the national fire and rescue service. Quoting the £7 billion a year economic cost of fire to the UK, he said that "the partnership of government and industry is crucial in driving these costs down."