He also discusses how a three-stage – gathering information, technology fixes and education – research project aims to reduce the incidence of false fire alarms that cost the London Fire Brigade £800,000 a year.
Graham Ellicott, chief executive officer of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), told us that, unless issues to do with fire and rescue service use of taxpayer-funded branding by their community interest companies are sorted out, a complaint could be made to the EU.
Speaking at FIREX International, Ellicott said he welcomed competition in the fire safety sector from fire and rescue services, but the FIA is concerned that the fire services are using their brand to create an uneven playing field.
“Our big worry is the use of the fire and rescue brand, which we believe has been created with taxpayers’ money,” he said. “We see that as a possible state aid issue, and we’d like to bottom that out.”
There are around 20 “arm’s-length” community interest companies being operated by fire services now, and the Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service’s company has just taken a large industrial job from the private sector.
“We’ve no problem with fire and rescue competing with us, as long as the playing field is level. Indeed, some fire and rescue community interest companies have expressed an interest in joining the FIA. And we would encourage them to join, if they meet our policy of third-party certification.
“The issues that need sorting out are the use of the brand. If you walk round health and safety here [at the Safety and Health Expo running alongside FIREX], there are two community interest companies who are trading here against us, against our members. Those guys are all wearing fire and rescue uniforms with badges on. It gives them a credibility that’s been created by the taxpayer that the private sector just can’t compete with.
“It needs to be bottomed out. We are concerned about the brand, and it is something that, if we can’t sort it out within the UK, we will go to the EU and file a state aid complaint.”
False alarms
Ellicott also spoke about a presentation he was delivering at FIREX International on the FIA’s aspirations to drive down false alarms in the UK through information gathering, technology fixes, and education.
The FIA is working with the Chief Fire Officers Association, the Fire Protection Association, and RISCAuthority to reduce false fire alarms.
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Plus, we explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.
