It was great to meet Nick Davis, the new Fire Brigade Commander for Southwark, today at the Old Kent Road station. I thanked his team again for their efforts daily, but especially during the huge fire at the Elephant & Castle two weeks ago.
On top of responding to dangerous situations, fire officers in Southwark have seen their workload increase hugely due to buildings that have been identified as requiring fire safety works following the Grenfell fire. Every two weeks the Southwark units are visiting 66 blocks across the borough.
The Government has left leaseholders without promised help to get on with required works, but have also lumbered our fire service with additional work and no new resources four years on from Grenfell. I’ll be seeking extra help as new legislation comes forward this week.
