Systematic dishonesty and decades of failure cause of Grenfell Tower fire, says inquiry

The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire has said ‘systematic dishonesty’ on the part of the contractors and ‘decades of failure’ by government and other organisations to take fire safety seriously contributed to a fire which should have been avoidable.

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The final report into the fire that killed 72 people in 2017 says that it is not possible to identify one single cause of the tragedy and does not apportion blame, instead it sets out the ‘systematic dishonesty’ of the contractors involved in the refurbishment of the tower and ‘the decades of failure’ by government and other organisations to take fire safety seriously. More via Emergency Services Times

North Wales Police expands use of facial recognition technology

North Wales Police will use live facial recognition (LFR) at specific events across the region following its successful deployment earlier this year at Holyhead Port. More via Emergency Services Times

More than three quarters of Scots fire service estate has poor decontamination

More than three quarters of Scotland’s fire service estate has decontamination facilities deemed to be “poor or bad”, the service has said as more than £800m of work is needed. More via The Irish News

The topic of firefighter PPE will have its own dedicated stage at The Emergency Services Show on 18-19 September.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Welcomes Bill Long as New Aviation Director

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has announced the appointment of Bill Long as its new Aviation Director, effective Monday 16 September. Bill will join EHAAT’s executive team, bringing with him a wealth of aviation experience and a strong passion for advancing the charity’s life-saving mission. More via EHAAT

Herts police chief announces retirement

Hertfordshire Constabulary Chief Constable Charlie Hall announced his retirement yesterday after leading the force for eight years. More via Emergency Services Times

Glastonbury Tor, Corfe Castle and Wellington Monument to light up in support of Air Ambulance Week

Three iconic landmarks—Corfe Castle, Wellington Monument and Glastonbury Tor—are set to ‘light up’ during the evening of Monday 9 September, the start of Air Ambulance Week across the UK, to recognise the work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance during this special week. More via Air Ambulances UK