London Fire Brigade

20/10/2026

In our third year of partnering with Deliveroo, we are proud to share the phenomenal success of over 3,500 riders receiving vital e-bike safety advice at our 2026 events.

This year, we have held events across the Capital at Shoreditch, Ealing, Soho, Hammersmith, Dowgate, Lewisham and Old Kent Road. Hundreds of riders have attended each one, receiving key safety information from firefighters.

With many Deliveroo riders using safe, legal e-bikes as a way to travel around London, the partnership events offer a brilliant opportunity for firefighters to talk directly to the users about the fire risks associated with lithium batteries.

The roadshows also provide a great opportunity for local council representatives, partners such as Electrical Safety First and local media to attend, helping to further amplify the safety messaging.

Our campaign provides expert-led guidance on the safe use of e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium batteries. Firefighters have seen first-hand the devastating consequences when owners buy unsafe products online.

As well as providing advice on purchasing items from a reputable seller, the campaign also shares best practice for storage and charging batteries.

London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff said: “The Rider Roadshows with Deliveroo are invaluable for us to get the message out there to some e-bike users about how to buy safe products, the safest way to charge batteries and the best way to store devices.

"E-bikes and e-scooters are one of London’s fastest-growing fire risks, so we welcome partnering with brands like Deliveroo who want to support our campaign.

“This year we’ve seen 129 fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters (between January and the end of August). While the number is down by 16 incidents (from 145) in 2025, we know we still have work to do to keep Londoners safe. For every person we share information with – it literally can be lifesaving!

“We encourage all companies and individuals with an interest in e-bikes to take the same approach to ensure safety advice is reaching even more people.”

Find the full story here: https://london-fire.pulse.ly/gzvfmoooxq

13/10/2026

We want to thank everyone for their interest in applying to join us.

09/10/2026

Last night, firefighters were called to rescue two men from the 15th floor of a building on Blackfriars Road in Southwark.

The two window cleaners had become trapped in a window cleaning cradle after it malfunctioned.

Control Officers were called at 1722 and fire crews from Dowgate and a 64m turntable ladder from Old Kent Road were sent to the scene. The incident was under control by 1815.

Crews used the 64m turntable ladder to reach the men and bring them down to the ground safely. The two men were assessed by the London Ambulance Service at the scene.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt and the men were rescued safely and quickly.

"This is a great example of how the Brigade uses its specialist equipment to meet the challenges of London's built environment. It is vital that we continue to have the right equipment to enable us to respond effectively and keep London's communities safe."

The 64m turntable ladder, which is the tallest aerial appliance in Europe, can reach heights of up to 20 floors and features an onboard lift that can be used for mass casualty rescue if the conditions are suitable.

The turntable ladders can also be used for getting water up to height and as an observation platform to provide valuable insight into how an incident is developing.

06/10/2026

We're returning home to Lambeth!

Planning permission has been officially granted to bring us back to our historic headquarters on Albert Embankment. The major refurbishment will deliver a modern fire station, bring central HQ back under one roof, and open up new spaces for the public.

The revamped space will include:

A modern fire station with upgraded training facilities, remodeled accommodation for firefighters, and redesigned bays to fit modern emergency vehicles.

Head office space which saves money for Londoners by ending the need for rented office space.

A new space at the base of the building available for local resident groups to use and meet.

A new exhibition and events space that's centered around the Memorial Hall, the fully accessible space will display historic vehicles and items from the Brigade’s collection.

Works on site are scheduled to begin in late 2026, with completion set for 2029. During the redevelopment, fire engines and crews will temporarily operate from nearby Clapham and Chelsea stations to ensure uninterrupted service.

28/09/2026

We are paws-itively delighted to introduce our newest four-legged recruit... Chase! 🐶

Working Cocker Spaniel Chase is following in the paw prints of recently retired Fire Investigation Search Dog (FISD) Sherlock, and current FISDs Smokey and Simba, as he begins his journey to becoming a fully trained and certified member of the team.

Fire Investigation Search Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell and are specially trained to detect traces of a range of ignitable substances.

They play an important role in investigations by helping fire investigators identify evidence that could indicate whether a fire was started deliberately.

FISDs are selected at a young age for qualities including a strong drive to play. Their training uses positive reinforcement, with the dogs rewarded with a tennis ball when they successfully locate the scent of an ignitable substance.

Over the coming months, Chase will undertake an intensive training programme. He will learn to detect traces of different ignitable substances and search increasingly complex environments, progressing from a single room to multiple rooms and floors.

His training will also introduce more challenging search areas, including letterboxes, spaces under stairs and large open areas. Chase will also learn how to clearly indicate to his handler when he has identified a potential find.

At the end of his training, Chase and his handler, Sub Officer Peter Guppey, will undertake an assessment in which they will need to demonstrate their ability to work effectively as a team, searching a range of environments and successfully locating traces of ignitable substances.

Sub Officer Peter Guppey said: “Chase is a great little character and he’s already a pleasure to work with. He’s enthusiastic, inquisitive and always keen to get involved, so I’m really enjoying getting to know him.

“There’s a lot for us both to learn over the coming months. We’ll gradually introduce more challenging searches as his confidence and skills develop, with the aim of getting us ready to take our assessment together.

“It’s really rewarding to be part of that journey from the very beginning and I’m excited to see what Chase can achieve.”

24/09/2026

22/09/2026

Last week, our headquarters hosted Firehawks, a powerful photography exhibition that welcomed visitors from fire and rescue services across the country.

Created by photographer Stephen King, the exhibition explores why some children and young people become involved in firesetting. Drawing on his own childhood experiences, Stephen worked closely with our Firesetting Intervention Scheme, alongside colleagues from Merseyside and Northumberland Fire and Rescue Services, and individuals with lived experience of firesetting, to tell these important stories.

It can be easy to assume that firesetting intervention is based on scare tactics or punishment. In reality, the approach is far more thoughtful. These dedicated professionals work with young people in a therapeutic and holistic way, seeking to understand the underlying causes of behaviour and support positive change.

The exhibition offered a valuable opportunity to share learning, challenge perceptions and shine a light on the life-changing impact of this work.

Helen Lloyd-Williams, Firesetting Intervention Scheme Manager, said:

“We had the pleasure to host this exhibition showcasing a reflection of children’s firesetting behaviour through a series of striking images. Each photograph tells a story, inviting the audience to be compassionately curious about the motivations and experiences of children who set fires.

"We would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the day and hope the conversations continue on how we can best work together to have a better awareness of children’s mental health and address firesetting across the UK.”

16/09/2026

Pride of Britain nominee, Tony Gladman!

Our very own Leading Firefighter Tony was recently nominated for a Pride of Britain award for organising two big fundraisers each year.

His Summer fundraiser is always in aid of a young person in the local community, where he takes on a challenge, such as the London Marathon, and organises a big fundraising evening to raise money. The funds go towards a different young person each year, helping them with recovery from medical issues or support.

The Winter fundraiser is a Christmas present drive, called the 'Gladman Christmas Collection'. With the help of colleagues, family and friends, he collects, wraps and delivers presents to local children's homes, hospitals, adult care homes, women's shelters, Tapestry and Age UK, delivering the presents in the week leading up to and on Christmas Day.

Tony's fantastic work all started at the care home that his Grandad was in when he needed 24 hour medical care, beginning with a fundraiser through word of mouth for the care home and ending with enough presents for the next few care homes in the area.

The following years, Tony posted online and in the local newspapers, and it grew, adding new drop off destinations each year.

The Gladman Christmas Collection is now a huge operation, with as many drop offs as possible. Each year, Tony and the team get requests for more places and they always accept and strive to get to as many as possible.

We want to say a huge well done to Tony for his nomination, and a big thank you for his continuous commitment in showing up for his community.

11/09/2026

Firefighters, control officers and staff across the Brigade have marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks today.

On this day 25 years ago, 2,977 people lost their lives in the attacks, following the hijacking and crashing of four commercial airliners. Amongst those that died in New York were 343 members of the New York City Fire Department.

In the City of London, a memorial service was organised by Lloyds of London, in partnership with the brokers Aon and Marsh at their offices on Lime Street.

A delegation of London firefighters from Dowgate and Barking, led by Deputy Commissioner Mat Walker, Director of People Sally Hopper and Assistant Commissioner Craig Carter, attended to commemorate the service and sacrifice those firefighters made by responding to the attacks and honour all those who lost their lives.

As part of the service, commemorative items were laid down in an act of remembrance. Deputy Commissioner Walker joined Lisa Quest, UK CEO of Marsh, in laying down an American fire helmet, honouring the first responders in New York.

Later in the service, Borough Commander for the City of London, Patrick Moloney, read out the 'Firefighters Prayer'. This is a poem detailing the courage and sacrifice of firefighters when responding to emergencies, actions that were exemplified by crews on 9/11.

Across London, firefighters and staff joined firefighters from across the country to parade on their station forecourts for a minute silence at 1346, (0846 in New York), commemorating the time that the first aircraft struck the North Tower of the World Trade Centre.

"No day shall erase you from the memory of time."

11/09/2026

A statement from London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

09/09/2026

This year, we have experienced one of the busiest summers in our history.

Between May and August, firefighters attended more than 55,000 incidents and Control Officers took around 100,000 emergency calls.

A significant increase in grass fires and wildfires has also been a major factor in the sustained demand.

Between May and August, firefighters attended 2,911 grassland, woodland and crop fires, while Control Officers received 8,783 calls relating to these incidents.

The number of wildfires has also surpassed 2022 levels, with 209 recorded so far this year. Of these, 64 required the attendance of at least six fire engines, compared with 137 wildfires recorded during the whole of 2025.

Our busiest operational day of 2026 came on 29 July, when Control Officers handled more than 1,300 emergency calls.

The exceptionally busy day included 63 separate grass fires, with 12 incidents requiring more than four fire engines. The longest single incident lasted just over 12 hours.

More than 2,000 Brigade crews and specialist teams, including a new Burns Team, also volunteered to support wildfire operations across other areas of the UK this summer, including Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Manchester, South Wales and Suffolk.

This Emergency Services Day, we want to take a moment to thank each and every one of our staff for their continuous dedication, resilience and professionalism.

We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved this summer, and incredibly grateful for everything that our staff have done to protect lives and communities across London and the UK.

04/09/2026