NFCC launches the safeguarding fire standard

The Safeguarding Fire Standard aims to ensure that fire and rescue services are doing all that they can to support and promote the safeguarding of those within their communities, employees, and volunteers. The standard accompanies the NFCC Safeguarding Guidance for Children, Young People and Adults, and the NFCC Self-Assessment Toolkit.

Assist fire and rescue services

Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Mark Hardingham, said, “I am pleased to be able to welcome the Safeguarding Fire Standard, which has been designed to assist fire and rescue services in promoting the safeguarding of others, reducing the risk of abuse, harm, and neglect.

“I’d like to thank those who have contributed towards the Safeguarding Fire Standard, and in particular Donna Bentley MBE, who has led on this area of work as the NFCC Strategic Lead for Safeguarding.”

Fire standard guidelines

The Safeguarding Fire Standard has been developed through work carried out by the NFCC Safeguarding team, as part of the NFCC Prevention Committee.

The standard outlines what a fire and rescue service must and should do to achieve it, stating that a service must have a designated Safeguarding Lead, for example, and that it should work collaboratively with partners to share learning and experiences.