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Since taking up his role as Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council in April, Phil Garrigan has faced an array of challenges that underscore just how broad and complex the fire and rescue sector’s responsibilities have become. But two issues stand out in his mind as particularly urgent: improving professional standards within the service and preparing for the growing impact of climate change on emergency response. I caught up with him for our For Every Response podcast to find out more.
Having spent 35 years in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service with its own decade-long established professional standards unit, Phil brings his own unique perspective as he talks about misconduct issues facing fire and rescue services. He is unequivocal that independent, confidential reporting channels are an essential mechanism to improve organisational culture and tackle poor behaviour.
“The introduction of independent reporting gives an individual a confidential vehicle to highlight concerns that they might have.”
Phil emphasised that the introduction of anonymous reporting options is not about creating problems but enabling issues to be raised and addressed. Such systems give individuals the confidence to flag concerns safely, while allowing leadership to intervene effectively, even if initially that means navigating a high volume of grievances.
Phil recognises that this approach can initially open a floodgate of complaints, but he sees that as a necessary step on the path to cultural improvement: “When you start to see real cultural improvement, you will start to see those numbers of issues and complaints and concerns diminish.” He praised London Fire Brigade for responding decisively, putting in place new staff and processes to manage the increase in reports from its staff.
While professional standards shape the internal culture of fire and rescue services, climate change is rapidly reshaping their external operational landscape. Phil is clear that climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is “upon us” and demanding urgent adaptation.
He cited stark data to underline the scale of the challenge: “We are seeing a warmer start to the year with over double the number of wildfires than we had back in in 2022 when we had 40 immediate incidents declared.” This surge in wildfire incidents is coupled with more frequent extreme weather events, including flooding caused by a combination of prolonged dry spells followed by heavy rainfall.
Some people mistakenly believe fire and rescue incidents have decreased over time, he says, but the reality is quite the opposite. Government statistics show a rise in incidents by more than 20% in recent years, many driven directly or indirectly by climate-related events.
This increase comes at a time when fire and rescue services are stretched thinner than before. “We’ve got 11,000 fewer firefighters than we did 10 years ago,” Phil explained. The combination of rising demand and reduced workforce puts pressure on fire and rescue services to do more with less – an untenable situation without adequate investment.
Phil is actively making the case to government that funding must reflect these evolving risks. His comprehensive spending review submission was focused on maintaining national capabilities to respond to large-scale incidents, while also addressing the everyday increase in call-outs driven by climate factors.
“We need to be on the front foot. We need to have the right capabilities to be able to deal with the risk, and we can’t bury our head in the sand and suggest that it’s a one off. It isn’t.”
Phil also highlighted how fire and rescue services fit into the wider emergency resilience landscape, especially in the wake of recent crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Fire services often take a leading role in local resilience forums, coordinating with police and other agencies to manage civil contingencies.
“Fire and rescue services have the ability to step in during a crisis and support that collective response,” he says. This collaborative approach will be vital as climate-related emergencies become more frequent and complex.
Government initiatives such as the launch of the UK Resilience Academy and reviews of national resilience capabilities signal a greater focus on ensuring services like fire and rescue are fully prepared. Phil welcomes this increased attention and the recognition that fire services are essential to community safety far beyond fighting fires alone.
“Doing the right thing is self-evident. I joined the fire and rescue service to do the right thing, to step in during a time of crisis – not necessarily to put fires out, but to serve the public to the best of my ability.”
Phil’s emphasis on integrity, accountability, and preparedness serves as a reminder that the future of fire and rescue depends not only on resources but on the culture and values that underpin every action.
Listen to the full interview on For Every Response, the Emergency Services Times podcast. Be sure to subscribe and listen on your favourite podcast platform.
