Letter of apology to the family of Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit

Dear Linda and Kairo,

I would like to express my deepest sorrow and offer my most sincere apology to you and your family for the loss of Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit. Jaden was a 21-year-old trainee firefighter at London Fire Brigade who tragically took his own life in August 2020, after serving just nine months at Wembley Fire Station.

Your openness and courage in our meetings and your desire to share details of Jaden’s experience, has meant the Brigade has been able to really understand what went wrong and in doing so make a clear commitment to change.

Jaden’s death was a terrible shock and I am truly sorry for the loss of your son and brother. You have told me how thrilled Jaden had been about joining London Fire Brigade and what he expected from the role. At a time when Jaden should be enjoying his career as a qualified firefighter, we are instead mourning his passing.

As Commissioner, I am deeply saddened and ashamed that Jaden told you he felt that he was not welcomed into the Brigade by everyone and that he was not provided with the right support to succeed.

We recognise that there are failures on the part of the Brigade which impacted Jaden. I do not seek to excuse or justify them.  It has been critical for us to understand the experience Jaden had as a trainee firefighter with the Brigade so that we as an organisation, could act to ensure the systems and processes that let Jaden down are addressed, improved and where required, changed.  

We accept that the Brigade let Jaden down at a time when it should have been more vigilant and implemented resources to support our young trainees for example:

• Jaden’s learning needs diagnosis was not acknowledged nor passed on to his trainers or local managers. This meant he received unqualified advice, instead of the professional support for his neurodivergence he was entitled to. It is clear he missed out on vital learning support throughout his time with us and this would have impacted the way he experienced London Fire Brigade. 
• The Brigade acknowledges that at the time of Jaden’s death the transfer system was centralised, so any transfer requests did not act as a trigger for a conversation about his desire for transfer. 
• At the time of Jaden’s death, the arrangements and support mechanisms in respect of wellbeing were not sufficient. 

This is a matter of deep regret, and we unreservedly apologise to you and the rest of Jaden’s family.

Whilst the highly critical inspection reports of 2019 meant we had begun to address issues of culture that they so clearly identified, the tragic death of Jaden was the catalyst for me seeking a robust external review of the Brigade led by Nazir Afzal.

I know you will be aware that I unequivocally accepted all the findings and recommendations made by Nazir Afzal following the Independent Culture Review. This was just the starting point and the Brigade is committed to fundamentally improving our workplace and culture.

The LFB has learnt and continues to learn from this.

In order to honour Jaden, as the dedicated firefighter he was, we will:

1. Put up a plaque in Jaden’s memory at London Fire Brigade Headquarters including a large picture of Jaden with the words “In memory of Jaden Francois-Esprit Trainee Firefighter, Cohort 12/19”. 
2. Hold an annual lecture which includes topics on culture and wellbeing for trainee firefighters on development in Jaden’s name. 
3. Start an annual legacy fund for a trainee firefighter on development, promoting health and wellbeing within the Brigade.  Linda and/or Kairo are invited to be involved in selection of the successful candidate and presentation of award. 
4. Provide an annual organisational update in the form of a letter from London Fire Brigade to Linda and Kairo setting out changes in the last year in respect of culture, followed by the option of a face to face meeting to discuss. 

We know that we cannot be complacent as we have much more to do, and I give you my firm assurance that I am committed to continuing to oversee real improvements in the Brigade and drive forward the changes that are needed.

Andy Roe

London Fire Commissioner