Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Creating a safer future – together: Risk assessment

We have designated this as a distinct risk alongside conventional building fires. The push for a sustainable energy future has spurred the rapid advancement of alternative fuels, including lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen, which are now extensively used to power various applications.

Of specific concern within the fire sector is the widespread utilisation of lithium-ion batteries, found in electric vehicles (often parked near homes or in car parks), battery energy storage systems, portable devices, and micro-mobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. While properly manufactured and used batteries are safe, there have been instances of improper usage, such as the construction of 'DIY' energy storage systems, leading to battery fires. Additionally, micro-mobility devices, sold online without stringent electric car regulations, often lack vital safety features like effective battery management systems, making them prone to sudden and catastrophic failure.

In cases of device failure, these batteries can release significant volumes of highly flammable vapor rapidly, which, under specific conditions, can become explosive. Consequently, when these devices catch fire in homes, occupants may struggle to escape and fires can escalate swiftly. Tragically, this has resulted in numerous fatalities both in the UK and worldwide. In London, lithium-ion batteries represent the fastest-growing fire risk, and in 2023, they became the leading cause of fire-related deaths in New York City.

Furthermore, firefighting efforts involving lithium-ion batteries, especially in larger applications, are challenging. These batteries burn violently and are prone to re-ignition even after initial extinguishment. This poses a global issue, prompting research organizations to diligently explore new strategies for controlling such fires.
 

• we actively participate in the National Fire Chiefs Council, focusing on the implications of alternative fuel sources in homes.
• we promote fire safety awareness related to alternative fuel sources and collaborate with partner agencies such as local authority private sector housing and Trading Standards
• Using our building safety expertise: we enhance the knowledge of building safety inspectors and fire engineers, helping them understand challenges and mitigation measures. This knowledge informs building regulations consultations and regulatory site visits
• colleague preparedness, by making sure our colleagues in Customer Safety and Operational response receive training to provide fire safety advice when dealing with alternative fuel systems
• using our risk information feedback loop, where fire crews relay valuable information to our risk information team for assessment and the creation of response plans as needed
• having accessible risk data, with information concerning alternative fuel risks integrated into our risk management database, ensuring accessibility for fire crews during incidents
• enhancing fire crew skills by investing in training fire crews to better understand and effectively combat fires involving alternative fuel sources
• investing in specialized equipment to enhance our capability to respond effectively to fires involving alternative fuel sources
   

• providing incident Information access so that crews can access critical risk information related to alternative fuel sources during incidents.
• ensuring our fire crews are competent, skilled and equipped to comprehend the risks associated with alternative fuel systems and effectively manage fires involving them.

One of our core missions revolves around preventing and responding to fires in people's homes, a central aspect of our work. Kent and Medway boast a rich diversity of housing, ranging from centuries-old timber-framed houses to modern homes constructed with lightweight methods. Each building type presents its unique challenges, with some occupants more vulnerable than others.

Over the past five years, we have responded to 2,700 accidental fires and 350 deliberate fires in residential settings. We recognize the profound and enduring impact that a home fire can have on a person’s life. Consequently, our primary focus is on preventing these incidents or minimizing their impact through robust building safety measures. Additionally, we ensure that we are well-prepared to respond effectively should a fire occur.

• actively engage in National Fire Chiefs Council prevention, protection, and response working groups, both at strategic and tactical levels
• stay updated on fire prevention research, firefighting equipment advancements, and techniques to protect people in their homes
• conduct customer insight research to understand our communities, identify emerging risks, and address potential barriers to accessing our services
• utilise various media channels to promote fire safety based on research and evaluation findings
• collaborate with partners to safeguard individuals at higher risk of fire, including those with mobility issues or hoarding tendencies
• deploy customer safety specialists for home visits, prioritising high-need households, providing advice, installing smoke alarms, and making appropriate referrals.
• direct our home fire safety task force and local crews to conduct visits, offer advice, install smoke alarms, and coordinate with our safe and well or safeguard teams as needed
• consult on fire safety matters under building regulations, ensuring safety in shared areas like purpose-built flats. Consult on emergency access for new housing developments
• work closely with housing associations from prevention and protection perspectives
• collaborate with local authorities, including private sector housing, to enhance home safety by using the most appropriate regulatory powers where applicable
• maintain fire hydrants across Kent and Medway through a dedicated water team
• fire crews report risk information through our mobile reporting system for quick assessment and action
• create site-specific risk information and risk summaries as needed to provide fire crews with up-to-date information
   

• ensure well-trained firefighters with appropriate equipment are deployed promptly to respond to emergencies
• deploy volunteer rapid response teams to provide advice and support to homeowners affected by fires at the scene
• prevention, protection, and response colleagues conduct post-incident community work after fires
• collaborate with partners, such as the police, through our fire forensic investigation team to determine the causes of fires and identify emerging trends
• conduct incident debriefs at both local and corporate levels to learn from incidents and continuously improve our response and prevention efforts

The Building Safety Act emerged as a direct response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, which exposed severe deficiencies in the regulation, design, construction, and maintenance of high-rise buildings. The Act was conceived to address these systemic failures and prevent future tragedies.

The Building Safety Act applies primarily to ‘higher-risk’ residential buildings, such as high-rise towers and complex structures with multiple dwellings.

While we are not the regulator, we have a crucial part to play in ensuring fire precautions are what they should be. We also provide fire safety advice to residents and fire crews familiarising themselves with the layout of buildings, so they can respond quickly and effectively if needed.

These types of premises tend to have a ‘stay put’ evacuation policy, but this is not mandatory with people free to leave at anytime if they wish. If fire precautions are compromised however, our fire crews are trained to recognise such a situation and respond swiftly, implementing evacuation procedures and assisting residents when needed so everybody can safely leave the building.  

Please also see ‘Fires in your homes’ section.

• being an effective partner with the Building Safety Regulator by discharging our duties under section 13 , 14 and 15 of the Building Safety Act 2022
• participation in National Fire Chiefs Council, actively engage in National Fire Chiefs Council protection and response working groups relating to buildings that come under the Building Safety Act, both at strategic and tactical levels
• research and innovation into tall residential buildings, ensuring we stay updated and participate in fire protection research, firefighting equipment advancements, and techniques to protect people in tall building. 
• utilise various media channels to promote fire safety based on research and evaluation findings
• collaborate with partners to safeguard individuals at higher risk of fire, including those with mobility issues or hoarding tendencies
• deploy customer safety specialists for home visits, prioritising high-need households, providing advice, installing smoke alarms, and making appropriate referrals
• direct our home fire safety task force and local crews to conduct visits, offer advice, install smoke alarms, and coordinate with our safe and well or safeguard teams as needed
• consult on fire safety matters and access under the Building Safety Act 2022
• work closely with housing associations from prevention and protection perspectives
• we work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on safety case reviews under the Building Safety Act, as well as conducting our own regulatory inspections at other times, including jointly with our local authority partners 
• maintain fire hydrants across Kent and Medway through a dedicated water team
• fire crews report risk information through our mobile reporting system for quick assessment and action
• we have site-specific risk information and risk summaries on all our tall residential buildings
• support exercises at tall buildings across Kent and Medway to integrate with emergency response plans

• ensure well-trained firefighters with appropriate equipment are deployed promptly to respond to emergencies
• deploy volunteer rapid response teams to provide advice and support to homeowners affected by fires at the scene
• prevention, protection and response colleagues conduct post-incident community work after fires
• collaborate with partners, such as the police, through our fire forensic investigation team to determine the causes of fires and identify emerging trends
• conduct incident debriefs at both local and corporate levels to learn from incidents and continuously improve our response and prevention efforts

Commercial premises in Kent and Medway vary greatly, from large factories with complex production processes to small independent shops in high streets. Each type of business poses its own set of unique challenges, which is why we’ve implemented a robust building safety inspection program, complemented by reports from our operational crews who identify and address any concerns.

Larger businesses tend to have more stringent regulations in place, but can present heightened risks to firefighters during emergencies and have a significant societal impact when incidents occur.

Small and medium-sized enterprises − which constitute the majority of businesses in Kent and Medway − may lack awareness of their fire safety responsibilities and operate from premises not originally designed for their current use, such as takeaways or general stores. They often have residential accommodation above them, making escape in case of fire more challenging. Due to their lower level of regulation, our firefighters may not always have comprehensive information about the specific hazards they may encounter in these settings.

We are committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring the safety of all businesses, regardless of size, in our region.

• undertake a risk-based inspection programme of fire safety audits, ensuring that businesses have appropriate fire precautions in place relative to the risks involved in their processes
• where required we carry out enforcement action, requiring businesses to make changes to their safety arrangements, or in the most serious cases, prohibiting the business from operating
• support businesses to understand how they can improve the safety arrangements they put in place through a supportive programme of education and engagement
• develop response plans for the higher risk commercial buildings in our county
• undertake a programme of exercises to ensure that crews understand response and can implement them

• ensure that we send the correct ‘pre-determined attendance’ to commercial buildings, which can include specialist vehicles and equipment in additional to our normal response
• quickly implement additional command and control arrangements for serious fires at these sites
• work with partner agencies to implement additional control measures such as air quality monitoring, and environmental protection arrangements

In recent years, the landscape of our high streets has undergone a significant change with many retailers relocating to retail parks, or closing due to changing shopping trends. Consequently, shops and stores now stand vacant. This often results in the neglect of general fire precautions, heightening the risk of fire incidents, which can have far-reaching societal consequences for the affected area.

We have seen a similar trend in commercial premises such as purpose-built office blocks due to the recent changes in working practices.

There is also a concerning trend of people regularly entering and, at times, even living within these abandoned retail and commercial spaces. This can create additional fire hazards and pose significant challenges for firefighters when responding to incidents. The extinguishing of fires in these settings can be exceptionally demanding, put the lives of firefighters at risk and cause substantial disruptions.

It is imperative that we address these fire safety concerns, safeguarding public safety, the well-being of our firefighters, and preserving the integrity of our communities.

• our operational crews, business safety officers and community safety officers are aware of the issues that can be occur in relation to unoccupied large retail and commercial property
• we share information across the organisation and make it available to firefighters via our mobile data terminals
• our Building Safety Inspectors work with responsible persons for buildings/sites to ensure they discharge their duties under the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005
• we work with partners in local authorities to identify risk premises and ensure the responsible person secure their site 
• we exchange building information and plans with appropriate partners
• if necessary, we deploy specialist personnel to support local authorities in assessing and securing high risk sites ahead of incidents occurring

• our operational crews are trained to understand the risk presented by fires in large commercial buildings
• we are aware that such buildings can be occupied, often by vulnerable people, and ensure that our response plans consider this possibility
• we can deploy specialist appliances such as our high reach turntable ladders to support our response to incidents in these buildings
• any information, including plans we hold for large commercial buildings are made available to our responding crews via their appliance computer
• we work with local authorities and Kent Police to support our response to incidents involving these premises

In recent years, we’ve witnessed significant changes in the way we work, with a growing number of people opting for remote work arrangements. This shift has sparked a trend in the conversion of numerous commercial and retail buildings, particularly office spaces, into residential flats. However, this transformation often requires substantial modifications to the internal layout and structure of these buildings, resulting in intricate configurations that can impact both the safety of occupants and how the fire service responds to emergencies.

The overhaul of these buildings can present notable challenges in terms of fire safety. The adjustments to internal structures, coupled with the use of modern lightweight construction methods, may create concealed voids within the building. These hidden spaces can unintentionally facilitate the unnoticed spread of fires, potentially leading to unforeseen and severe consequences.

It is important to note that firefighting facilities may have been decommissioned or not maintained due to this change of purpose, which could have a detrimental effect on firefighting operations. We are vigilant in addressing these concerns to ensure the safety of residents, protecting our firefighters, and maintaining the integrity of our communities.

• our specialist Fire Engineers work with local building control officers to advise on planning applications relating to the conversion of retail and commercial property to residential sites
• our Building Safety Inspectors work with responsible persons to ensure they discharge their legal duties in terms of fire safety as prescribed by the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005
• operational crews, Building Safety Inspectors and Customer Safety Officers undertake Risk Assessment Visits to ensure safety advice is given to residents and appropriate information is gathered ahead of incidents, enabling an effective and efficient response should that be required
• we undertake training and exercising with our response crews and fire control colleagues around commercial and residential properties that have been converted to residential occupancy

• our fire control team responds to 999 calls and mobilises appropriate fire appliances in accordance with our pre-determined attendance for a building type, or the site specific pre-determined attendance for buildings where the Risk Assessment Visit has indicated an enhanced attendance would be required for an incident
• our firefighters use site specific information and apply National Operational Guidance to respond effectively to incidents in converted buildings
• we deploy our volunteer response team to support customers affected by incidents
• we notify local authorities of incidents where customers may need rehousing due to the impact of fires or other occurrences
• we seek specialist advice from local authority building control officers to understand the impact of fires on the structural stability of large buildings

The government target of 300,000 homes to be built per year nationally has already resulted in significant development across Kent. The county is also one of 38 areas earmarked across the country to establish future investment zones to drive and boost the economy. If this scheme is agreed there will be a drive to release more land for both housing and commercial development. This could see a significant increase in construction in key areas across Kent.

Buildings are vulnerable to fire during the construction phase due to the materials used, an increased use of timber, lack of partitioning within the building, and lack of fire detection. This allows a fire to start easily, spread quickly and go undetected for longer.

When fires do occur on construction sites there can also be an increased difficulty in establishing water supplies due to the full infrastructure not being put in place until the finishing stages.

Construction sites are inherently dangerous. Risks in addition to fire can include risk of collapse occasioned by the full or part demolition of an existing building, heavy plant machinery used to create deep excavations, cranes to move equipment, and materials creating a risk of entrapment. These activities, and many others, increase the possibility of a workplace accident and the potential for the Fire Service to be involved in an emergency of some sort.

• ensure we train all our firefighters in the risks and response procedures and techniques at construction sites
• we work with planning authorities, so we know when large construction projects start
• we engage with all Nationally Significant Infrastructure planning (NSIP) development consent orders (DCO) for very large construction projects. This will include consultation on the safety management procedures put in place during construction
• we debrief all significant incidents at construction sites to learn how to improve our response and reduce the risks. 

• all our responders are training to respond effectively to incidents at construction sites 
• we have specialist responders and equipment to rescue people from height and depth which are likely scenarios at construction sites
• our Urban Search and Rescue team can support with responding building collapse or preventing further collapse of buildings under construction
• we have an agreement with specialist structural engineers that we can access to help deliver our response safely and prevent further collapse

Kent is home to many heritage buildings, including over 400 Grade 1 listed buildings and Canterbury Cathedral − a World Heritage Site.

These properties are important both for their architectural value and significance and their contents, which often include unique, rare, and important items such as artwork and furnishings.

It is important therefore that we ensure we have the appropriate capabilities in place to be able to extinguish fires quickly and limit damage as much as possible. This includes damage caused because of our firefighting activities, such as water runoff.

Fighting fires in heritage buildings can also be difficult as the construction methods used do not provide as many fire-resisting features as are available today. Hidden voids and exposed timbers can increase the risk of rapid fire spread and can make locating fires difficult.

• we work directly with those responsible for many of our heritage buildings. This helps us understand the construction, layout and emergency procedures in place at the sites so we can reduce the spread and impact of fire 
• we store specific risk information on our systems around our more important heritage buildings
• we specifically train all firefighters on the risks, procedures and firefighting actions at heritage buildings 
• we work with heritage sites to agree plans that prioritise the recovery of highly important items
• we carry out exercises at our key heritage buildings to test our response
• we learn from incidents in heritage buildings around the world

• specific risk information on heritage buildings is available to firefighters via mobile data terminals when on the way to incidents
• we have emergency contact details for responsible people and nominated specialists that can support a response to specific heritage buildings 
• specialist working at height and Urban Search and Rescue teams are available to us for complex or difficult rescues or the recovery and protection of large historical items
   

Incidents within tunnels can cause a significant risk to the public and emergency responders due to the geographical and topographic nature of the structures. There are limited means of access and egress, a lack of natural ventilation and they can be highly insulated. The curved construction of a tunnel can also result in rapid smoke spread, smoke and heat often spreading in both directions. Incidents in tunnels can also have a significant impact on surrounding infrastructure and business continuity for customers.

The potentially complex nature of a significant incident within a tunnel (particularly transport tunnels) can result in incidents becoming protracted, with the need for a large number of resources deployed to deal with the incident.

• liaise with tunnel operators and partner agencies to identify the location of tunnels within the county and assess the risk, developing plans where necessary
• carry out frequent site visits to ensure local crews are aware of how to access and respond to tunnels in their area
• regularly exercise our response to tunnels, testing the effectiveness of our emergency arrangements
• provide crews with specialist equipment, such as radios capable of operating in a long tunnel complex

• we pre plan our attendance to tunnels, in many cases sending fire engines to each end of a tunnel to get the best possible access
• at larger and more complicated tunnels we co-locate our commanders with tunnel staff in purpose-built command rooms
• where tunnels cross either local or international borders, we establish communications links with responders on the other side of the border to ensure a seamless and safe joint response

Fire safety in hospitals presents distinctive challenges due to the presence of vulnerable patients, critical life-saving equipment, and the necessity for intricate evacuation procedures.

To ensure hospitals are adequately prepared, they prioritise various measures, including constructing fire-resistant buildings, providing comprehensive staff training, deploying advanced fire detection systems, and adhering to stringent safety protocols. Nevertheless, in emergency situations, relocating patients to safety may not always be feasible, particularly within the context of complex surgeries performed in operating rooms. This underscores the critical role of the fire service.

Hospitals are subject to the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005, of which KFRS is the enforcing authority. Maintaining up-to-date information about the unique layouts and risks associated with each hospital is also essential. Hazards at hospital sites include radiation and strong magnetic sources from MRI scanners, compressed oxygen, back up and alternative power sources, infectious diseases, and biological hazards. Gaining specific risk information enables us to effectively prepare for and respond to fires and other emergencies in a comprehensive manner. This integrated approach ensures the safety of patients, hospital staff, and visitors alike, safeguarding all individuals during both the routine operation of the hospital and in times of crisis.

• actively participate and engage in National Fire Chiefs Council prevention, protection, and response working groups, both at strategic and tactical levels
• research and innovation, staying updated on fire protection research, firefighting equipment advancements, and techniques to protect people in health care premises. 
• support exercises at local hospitals to integrate with emergency response plans, testing response around evacuation, mass decontamination, fire and other scenario-based events
• regulatory consultations on fire safety matters ensuring fire safety throughout healthcare establishments regarding new hospitals or significant refurbishments at healthcare premises
• regulatory fire safety, by delivering a pro-active risk-based inspection programme where competent inspectors will audit and assess compliance with the Fire Safety Order (2005) at hospitals
• maintain fire hydrants across Kent and Medway through a dedicated water team
• ensure risk information covers vulnerable patient populations, such as intensive care units, psychiatric or neonatal units due to specific challenges faced. 
• risk information feedback with fire crews reporting risk information through our mobile reporting system for quick assessment and action.
• up-to-date risk information, creating site-specific risk information and risk summaries as needed to provide fire crews with up-to-date information

• ensure well-trained firefighters with appropriate equipment are deployed promptly to respond to emergencies
• ensure a 24/7 provision of fire safety specialist advice and support to support operational emergencies and conduct any enforcement activity required 
• provide clear and timely communication with the public during major emergency response at hospitals to reassure public through accurate information.
• prevention, protection and response colleagues conduct post-incident community and business support work after fires
• collaborate with partners, such as the police, through our fire forensic investigation team to determine the causes of fires and identify emerging trends
• conduct incident debriefs at both local and corporate levels to learn from incidents and continuously improve our response and protection efforts

Care homes house some of our most vulnerable customers. Whilst they are tightly regulated, they can be complicated to deal with when fires do occur. Purpose built care homes generally have good fire precautions that are designed to limit fire spread and aid protection and evacuation of residents. However, some older care homes that have been converted from other building types can have complicated layouts. This can make firefighting challenging. Residents can often have mobility or sensory impairments which can mean that it is either not possible to leave the building quickly, or not possible to leave the building at all without significant levels of assistance and further care.

Over the last few years, we have prioritised and improved our response to care homes. We work closely with care homeowners and bodies such as the Care Quality Commission to ensure that facilities are fit for purpose. Where they are not, we take enforcement action to ensure that improvements are made to reduce risk to residents.

With an ageing population, the demand for care home spaces is on the rise. However, the care sector is struggling to recruit and retain staff. It is thought that around 10% of roles cannot be filled. We have some concerns regarding the effect this is having on the ability of care home staff to take measures necessary to ensure resident safety in the event of a fire. As a result, we have prioritised our inspection of care homes, working with owners and staff to ensure that plans are fit for purpose and can be resourced.

• work with organisations such as the Care Quality Commission to identify, monitor and respond to issues affecting care homes
• conduct site familiarisation visits and, where needed, develop specific response plans
• engage with care homeowners and staff to ensure we can work together effectively
• undertake targeted fire safety audits as part of our risk-based inspection programme
• ensure all our colleagues complete safeguarding training

• we make sure our response is adapted to the needs of those in care homes – for example, where possible, we try to move people to places of safety in a building rather than evacuating outside to reduce the physical and emotional impact on care home residents
• we can call on partner agencies to provide specialist care and support for any residents that have been displaced
• our pre-determined attendance helps us to send the right number of fire engines to the scene quickly – we need more firefighters to deal with fires in care homes as they can be large buildings and residents may have complex needs
• after an incident we work with partner agencies to ensure there is a suitable recovery plan in place to make sure the needs of residents are met

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Building stock in Kent is generally of a high standard. The building regulations in the UK help to ensure that buildings are constructed according to a safe set of standards. Buildings from Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, which make up many of the houses in the UK, are renowned for being well built.

As a result, we do not tend to see building collapses that occur because of ageing, lack of maintenance, or poor construction techniques. Neither are we vulnerable to natural disasters that lead to building collapse, such as large earthquakes or hurricanes. Consequently, building collapse is a rare occurrence.

When they do occur, they are often the result of external factors, such gas explosions, vehicle impacts, or fire. Rescues from building collapses can be complicated. The need to get access to trapped casualties, whilst at the same time ensuring further collapse does not occur, requires specialist skills, knowledge, and equipment. Kent Fire and Rescue Service has an Urban Search and Rescue team, part of the UK’s national capability, who can quickly respond to collapsed buildings.

• continue to maintain and invest in our Urban Search and Rescue team
• maintain a trained dog that specialises in locating people trapped in buildings
• provide all our crews with the knowledge and understanding to recognise signs of building collapse and ensure that they can operate safely around collapsed buildings
• maintain regional and national agreements for mutual aid and support to be able to bring on additional specialist teams at short notice
• use our relationships with colleagues in Local Authority building control departments to be able to draw on specialist advice in structural stability

• we provide a range of monitoring equipment to be able to monitor for signs of structural collapse, locate casualties and gain access
• we send our Urban Search and Rescue team and, where necessary, call on support from other Urban Search and Rescue teams across the country
• we have access to a range of heavy plant equipment to be able to manage and clear debris from sites

Kent is host to several prisons and has one of the largest prison estates in the country. These range from category B to D. There are no category A (High Security) prisons in Kent. The prisons in Kent are:

• East Sutton Park
• Elmley
• Maidstone
• Cookham Wood
• Rochester
• Stanford Hill
• Swaleside

Fires in prisons are a frequent occurrence, although they tend to be localised to individual cells. Prisoners have limited access to large quantities of combustible materials. As a result, fires are often small and usually extinguished by prison staff. Injuries tend to be minor, although we have had some more serious injuries involving prisoners and, tragically, a fatality. Over time we have worked with His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) service to develop procedures to ensure we can access prison facilities in a timely way in the event of a fire.

Whilst much rarer, there have been examples in Kent of larger fires. These have been the result of disorder within prisons. In such circumstances we need to balance our intervention with the safety of our colleagues. We have well developed procedures for joint working with HMP colleagues to ensure that we can maximise the safety of both our colleagues and prisoners.

We are not able to take actions that reduce the likelihood of fires occurring in the same way as we do in people’s homes. Prevention activity is managed by HMP service and prisons are Crown Estate. The frequency of fires is often closely related to influx of new prisoners, changing conditions, or relationships between inmates.

• we work with Prison Governors and the Crown Premises Inspection Group (the Crown fire safety regulator) to understand the risk in custodial premises
• our response crews and prison staff exercise together periodically
• we support Prison Governors to understand the nature of fire related incidents that happen in their establishments through fire investigations

• our crews mobilise to the prison when a fire call is received from the prison management team
• a Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) liaison officer attends the prison control room to liaise with the prison management team
• if fire fighting action is required by KFRS crews, it is closely coordinated with prison staff to ensure suitable access and firefighter safety
• KFRS equipment is compatible with the fixed firefighting installations found in the prison estate and our firefighters are trained to use this equipment which allows firefighting action whilst maintaining site security