PDAs and vehicles
Case reference FOI2025/00224
Received 9 March 2025
Published 28 March 2025
Request
Please provide the brigades PDAs to incidents.
Please provide the reasoning as to why some of your appliances carry 13.5M Ladders and some do not.
Please provide details on any water carrier / water bowser the brigade has owned and why the brigade does not have any operational.
Please can you provide what specialised kit each FRU carries.
Response
Please see my response to each of your information requests in turn below:
Please provide the brigades PDAs to incidents.
LFB policy number ‘0412 - mobilising policy’ holds the pre-determined attendance (PDA) for all incident types attended by the LFB.
A redacted version of policy number ‘0412 - mobilising policy’, was provided to the Grenfell Tower inquiry and can be accessed via the following link: Exhibit - LFB Mobilising Policy 412 Reviewed 15 July 2016 - LFB00001531 | Grenfell Tower Inquiry
We consider the full version of the policy you are seeking exempt from disclosure under the FOIA via Section 24 – National Security. Although we believe this exemption applies, the Brigade is required, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), to consider the public interest. This requires us to consider whether the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing it. Whilst we acknowledge there is a public interest in knowing that the London Fire Brigade has adequate procedures in place to deal with any emergency incident involving public safety, the disclosure of these details would, or would be likely to, provide anyone wanting to carry out acts of terrorism with a detailed plan of our pre-planned emergency response and in turn damage the Brigade's ability to respond efficiently and effectively, and placing public safety at risk. It is for this reason we conclude that the public interest in withholding the information, outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
Please provide the reasoning as to why some of your appliances carry 13.5M Ladders and some do not.
The LFB’s most recent Fleet Strategy document is published online here: Fleet strategy
This document provides details of any decisions in relation to ensuring that the LFB deploy the latest technological innovations to have a fleet that is fit for purpose, effective and resilient and encompassing the sustainable goals of the organisation.
Please provide details on any water carrier / water bowser the brigade has owned and why the brigade does not have any operational.
In 2024, a six month Bulk Water Unit (BWU) took place from July. Two spare Bulk Foam Unit (BFU) vehicles that are were in service were converted to carry eight 1,000 litre Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) of water to operational incidents. It is expected that the BWU pilot will be extended for use this year (2025).
Please can you provide what specialised kit each FRU carries.
We do not typically provide a detailed breakdown of equipment carried by LFB appliances as, unfortunately, they can be targeted for theft. Therefore, I would consider providing details about specific equipment carried on the Fire Rescue Units (FRU) vehicles exempt from disclosure under the FOI act under section 31(1)(a) - Law enforcement. Section 31 is a qualified exemption and I must consider the public interests for and against disclosure. It is sadly the case that fire stations and appliances are targets for crime and the loss of equipment prevents the LFB from carrying out its public safety duties. I am therefore of the view that it is in the public interest not to disclose information at the detailed level you have requested.
Documents
This is London Fire Brigade's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.