London Fire Brigade is looking for members of the public to join a new Community Forum Steering Group. The initiative is an opportunity for Londoners to help shape how the Brigade engages with local communities and how it gets feedback from the widest range of people.
The Brigade’s Community Forum, which was launched in 2022, has been instrumental in helping the Brigade to transform over recent years by bringing together individuals to share their perspectives and influence services. The Community Forum has 15 members who represent different communities from across London.
Moving forwards, the Brigade wants to develop local forums to hear from communities on a more personal level. To accomplish this, the new Steering Group will play a crucial role in designing how the local community forums will operate, allowing for more localised and focused engagement. These forums will aid the Brigade in ensuring that even more communities have a voice in shaping the services they receive.
Paul Bamford is a current member of the Community Forum who will be moving to the Steering Group. He said: “I joined the Forum to help London Fire Brigade better engage with communities, as well as to meet new people and develop my own personal skills.
“Being a member of the Forum has greatly enhanced my appreciation of London’s wonderfully diverse communities and has made me feel that collectively we are making a difference.
“By joining the Steering Group, people can help ensure that all London’s communities are heard by the Brigade.”
Deputy Commissioner for Preparedness and Response, Jonathan Smith, said: “The formation of the Steering Group represents the Brigade’s ongoing commitment to listening to local communities, including underrepresented groups, and improving our services for all.
“By involving community members in our decision-making processes, we can create more effective and inclusive strategies that better serve all Londoners.”
The Brigade is calling on individuals from all backgrounds across London to express their interest in joining the Steering Group. This is a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change, develop personal skills, and build new relationships while making a real difference in London’s communities.
For more information on how to express interest, please visit The Brigade’s website at Community Forum Steering Group members | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk) by 16 August.