FOI release
Freedom of Information Request – Training and Exercising for Wholetime Firefighter Personn
Case reference FOI2025/00806
Received 4 August 2025
Published 2 September 2025
Request
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I would be grateful if you could provide the following information: (For the purpose of this request, “practical training” refers to scenario-based, simulation, or live exercise activities, as opposed to purely theoretical or classroom-based training) Staffing and Roles What is the total number of wholetime firefighting staff in your brigade, including ranks? Do you have a designated training and exercising manager for wholetime operational staff (or a general operational firefighting training and exercising manager)? a. If yes, what are their relevant qualifications or training credentials? b. When was the role established? c. Is it a permanent, full-time position? Is there a designated budget for wholetime crew training and exercising? a. If yes, what percentage of the overall department budget does this represent? Training Policy Are there policies or procedures in place to ensure operational cover for uninterrupted training for wholetime crews (e.g., operational cover during exercises)? a. If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant policy if possible. b. If not, is training typically conducted during normal working shifts with potential for interruptions? Has your service piloted or implemented any digital/simulation-based tools for wholetime firefighting training or exercising, including virtual reality technologies? Please give details if yes. Practical Training Participation Between 31st July 2023 to 31st July 2025: How many times have wholetime crews participated in practical training exercises involving only their own station? How many times have wholetime crews participated in practical training exercises involving other departments or teams within your brigade? How many times have wholetime crews participated in practical training with other fire brigades? How many times have wholetime crews participated in practical training with other agencies, such as Police or Ambulance services? If any of the requested information is not held, or only partially held, please state this clearly. If fulfilling this request exceeds the cost limit, please advise on how it can be refined.
Response
Please see the response in the link below.
Documents
This is London Fire Brigade's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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