PFD report

Liam Stephen Allan · Prevention of Future Deaths report

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Issued 30 Jan 2025•West London

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
2

Raised in this report

Recipients
18

Named on the report

Responses found
5

Of 18 recipients

Stated actions
30

Described in responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

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Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Report evidence summary

Concerns raised2

  1. Delays in police alerting of the LFB and subsequent emergency response
    Part of recurring concern: Unreliable London Fire Brigade emergency response
  2. Inadequate visibility of riverside buoyancy aids
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.11

  1. Action

    Upgrade LFB and MPS systems to exchange incident information electronically through MAIT.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  2. Action

    Assess each water-adjacent site using watercourse, access, rescue, hazard, and incident-history risk criteria.

    Stated by London Borough of Barking and DagenhamStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  3. Action

    Implement a structured inspection and maintenance programme to maintain equipment functionality and visibility and promptly replace damaged or missing assets.

    Stated by London Borough of Barking and DagenhamStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.6

  1. Position

    Configuration of electronic communication systems will be agreed locally by fire and rescue services with relevant partner agencies.

    Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Delays in police alerting of the LFB and subsequent emergency response

Wider context from the report

“The process for alerting the LFB by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) uses a telephone to transmit information from the MPS to the LFB, rather than using a CAD-mediated system to transfer information electronically from the Police to the LFB which is faster than transmitting information by telephone. This delay means that there is a risk that future deaths could occur due to a delay in the LFB being alerted by the Police and a corresponding delay to the LFB's subsequent response to an emergency incident. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Unreliable London Fire Brigade emergency response.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Inadequate visibility of riverside buoyancy aids

Wider context from the report

“The lighting of buoyancy aids on the riverside is not adequate, meaning that they are not able to be identified rapidly and then deployed without delay in an emergency situation. Buoyancy aids are more visible when painted with white stripes and/or reflective white stripes. However, not all buoyancy aids are so painted, meaning that they are not able to be identified rapidly and then deployed without delay in an emergency situation. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Upgrade LFB and MPS systems to exchange incident information electronically through MAIT.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In late 2022, further improvements to sharing of electronic incident records by emergency services came through the introduction of the Multi Agency Incident Transfer ['MAIT'] System. MAIT allows emergency services control rooms to share incident data electronically. LFB along with the MPS are upgrading their systems to accommodate this. However robust radio communications between control rooms are currently in place to share incident information via a secure radio network.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Assess each water-adjacent site using watercourse, access, rescue, hazard, and incident-history risk criteria.

Verbatim wording from the response

“2. Risk Assessment Criteria”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement a structured inspection and maintenance programme to maintain equipment functionality and visibility and promptly replace damaged or missing assets.

Verbatim wording from the response

“4. Inspection and Maintenance Regime”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Install or upgrade buoyancy aids at high-risk locations, prioritising high-traffic areas and improving visibility with reflective markings.

Verbatim wording from the response

“3. Standardisation of Safety Equipment”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consider lighting buoyancy aids at sites used during evenings or affected by low visibility.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• Aids will be clearly marked with reflective white stripes or similar enhancements to improve visibility in low light.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Survey all Borough waterbodies and riverside locations, mapping safety assets and identifying gaps or deterioration.

Verbatim wording from the response

“1. Comprehensive Survey and Asset Mapping”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Use high-visibility life-buoy housings with agreed markings, emergency instructions, and unique location codes.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Identification (painting) of buoyancy aids All City life buoys are contained within high visibility housings, with the design, colouring and messaging on those housings agreed between the City and RNLI.”

Source location

Response from City of London
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Inspect life belts and housings weekly and replace missing or damaged items from stocked supplies.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition and for further information, the City’s life belts and their housings are inspected weekly and any missing belts or damaged housings are replenished / replaced from a store we hold readily available for this purpose. Furthermore, if stakeholders report missing belts, these are replaced asap. We are also in the process of supplementing the number of left belt positions on Tower Bridge as a result of a wider review of safety matters for that bridge.”

Source location

Response from City of London
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review risk assessments for providing life buoys at Council-owned inland water and publicly accessible sites.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As far as my enquiries have determined, the Council does not own any Thames Riverside buoyancy aids. The provision, maintenance and any lighting of buoyancy aids will often fall to riparian land owners. The Council does own inland bodies of water and publically accessible places next to these. Consideration and review of risk assessments as to the provision of life buoys at these sites was recently given. Further consideration as to the lighting of these will now be given and this will be completed within three months of this letter. The report findings will be reviewed as part of risk assessment processes going forward. The report findings have also been shared with known riparian owners in case they have publically accessible lifesaving equipment.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Require newly procured buoyancy aids to comply with the relevant British Standard and include white stripes.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Whenever the Council procures new buoyancy aids we will ensure the purchase is as per the relevant British Standard foremost and the application of a white stripe(s) will be required.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consider lighting life buoys at Council-owned inland water and publicly accessible sites, completing the consideration within three months.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As far as my enquiries have determined, the Council does not own any Thames Riverside buoyancy aids. The provision, maintenance and any lighting of buoyancy aids will often fall to riparian land owners. The Council does own inland bodies of water and publically accessible places next to these. Consideration and review of risk assessments as to the provision of life buoys at these sites was recently given. Further consideration as to the lighting of these will now be given and this will be completed within three months of this letter. The report findings will be reviewed as part of risk assessment processes going forward. The report findings have also been shared with known riparian owners in case they have publically accessible lifesaving equipment.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Configuration of electronic communication systems will be agreed locally by fire and rescue services with relevant partner agencies.

Verbatim wording from the response

“the consideration of configuring mobilising systems to integrate with electronic methods of communication. This will take a variety of forms within fire and rescue services and be agreed locally with their relevant partners.”

Source location

Response from National Fire Chiefs Council
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing direct radio communications between emergency service control rooms provide a robust means of sharing incident information while electronic exchange develops.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In late 2022, further improvements to sharing of electronic incident records by emergency services came through the introduction of the Multi Agency Incident Transfer ['MAIT'] System. MAIT allows emergency services control rooms to share incident data electronically. LFB along with the MPS are upgrading their systems to accommodate this. However robust radio communications between control rooms are currently in place to share incident information via a secure radio network.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Emergency communications between the Metropolitan Police Service and London Fire Brigade are outside the Borough’s management responsibility.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While our Borough does not manage emergency communications between the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade, we strongly support improvements in this area. We will work with the Local Resilience Forum and relevant partners to advocate for enhanced inter-agency communication, particularly in critical response scenarios.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Existing riverside, bridge and ambient lighting is considered sufficient to make life buoy stations visible from a reasonable and appropriate distance.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Lighting of buoyancy aid locations Our review suggests that the lighting of our riverside frontage and our bridges, together with the general level of background ambient lighting in the City, provides sufficient lighting to ensure life buoy stations are visible to a reasonable and appropriate distance.”

Source location

Response from City of London
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Communication between emergency services is a matter for the emergency services, so no Council action is proposed.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We consider this to be a matter for the emergency services to address. For this reason, no action by the Council is proposed.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Provision, maintenance and lighting of Thames riverside buoyancy aids will often be the responsibility of riparian landowners.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As far as my enquiries have determined, the Council does not own any Thames Riverside buoyancy aids. The provision, maintenance and any lighting of buoyancy aids will often fall to riparian land owners. The Council does own inland bodies of water and publically accessible places next to these. Consideration and review of risk assessments as to the provision of life buoys at these sites was recently given. Further consideration as to the lighting of these will now be given and this will be completed within three months of this letter. The report findings will be reviewed as part of risk assessment processes going forward. The report findings have also been shared with known riparian owners in case they have publically accessible lifesaving equipment.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.19

  1. 1

    Track relevant Prevention of Future Deaths reports and share them with fire and rescue service members.

    Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  2. 2

    Share key learning from the incident with UK fire and rescue services through organisational learning arrangements.

    Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  3. 3

    Reflect incident learning in national guidance to help fire and rescue services address similar risks.

    Stated by National Fire Chiefs CouncilStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  4. 4

    Review regularly whether additional throwline boards are needed along the Thames.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  5. 5

    Strengthen operational collaboration with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to improve Thames emergency response.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  6. 6

    Add neighbouring fire and rescue services’ water-rescue resources to LFB Control records for faster resource assessment and deployment.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  7. 7

    Urge all London local authorities to review water-rescue equipment and arrangements.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  8. 8

    Implement improved Airwave radio communications to strengthen interoperability between emergency services at incidents.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  9. 9

    Monitor the Coastguard ES3 channel and broadcast Thames incidents to which LFB can respond.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  10. 10

    Hold water-safety events and provide river-safety education through the Twickenham Fire Station water-safety room.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  11. 11

    Support London local authorities to install water-safety equipment and throwline boards at key Thames locations.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  12. 12

    Conduct multi-agency training exercises to test and improve emergency response on the Thames.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  13. 13

    Provide throwlines and training in their use to riverside businesses, venues and parks patrols.

    Stated by London Fire BrigadeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  14. 14

    Work with the Local Resilience Forum and relevant partners to advocate for enhanced inter-agency emergency communication.

    Stated by London Borough of Barking and DagenhamStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  15. 15

    Supplement the number of life-belt positions on Tower Bridge following a wider bridge safety review.

    Stated by City of LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  16. 16

    Review the Report’s findings through future risk-assessment processes.

    Stated by London Borough of HaveringStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  17. 17

    Share the Report’s findings with known riparian owners possessing publicly accessible lifesaving equipment.

    Stated by London Borough of HaveringStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  18. 18

    Consider whether the Local Plan can include a policy requiring developers adjacent to water to provide and maintain lifesaving equipment.

    Stated by London Borough of HaveringStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.
  19. 19

    Ensure all relevant Council departments are made aware of the Report.

    Stated by London Borough of HaveringStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 10 March 2025.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Track relevant Prevention of Future Deaths reports and share them with fire and rescue service members.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Thank you for raising the concern in relation to the death of Liam Stephen Allan on 26 August 2022. It is with great sadness that I read about the circumstances of his death. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is committed to a culture of learning and improvement and seeks to support fire and rescue services to embed a learning culture. We actively track Prevention of Future Deaths reports that relate to fire and rescue services or similar relevant activities such as emergency response driving and share them with our members to ensure all opportunities to improve are taken.”

Source location

Response from National Fire Chiefs Council
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Share key learning from the incident with UK fire and rescue services through organisational learning arrangements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“For this tragic death of Liam Stephen Allan, we have been in liaison with London Fire Brigade to ensure that all learning captured from the incident is processed through our NFCC Organisational Learning arrangements. By doing this, we will not only be able to share key learning points with other UK fire and rescue services, but we will also be able to reflect on national guidance to ensure that fire and rescue services are adequately addressing the risks of similar incidents from occurring.”

Source location

Response from National Fire Chiefs Council
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Reflect incident learning in national guidance to help fire and rescue services address similar risks.

Verbatim wording from the response

“For this tragic death of Liam Stephen Allan, we have been in liaison with London Fire Brigade to ensure that all learning captured from the incident is processed through our NFCC Organisational Learning arrangements. By doing this, we will not only be able to share key learning points with other UK fire and rescue services, but we will also be able to reflect on national guidance to ensure that fire and rescue services are adequately addressing the risks of similar incidents from occurring.”

Source location

Response from National Fire Chiefs Council
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review regularly whether additional throwline boards are needed along the Thames.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The need for additional throwline boards along the Thames is regularly reviewed.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Strengthen operational collaboration with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to improve Thames emergency response.

Verbatim wording from the response

“7. LFB has strengthened its operational working with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to improve the response to emergencies on the Thames.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Add neighbouring fire and rescue services’ water-rescue resources to LFB Control records for faster resource assessment and deployment.

Verbatim wording from the response

“8. In May 2024, LFB Control had added details of water rescue resources held by neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services. This allows control room operators to assess whether LFB resources could be nearer to an incident and deployed more quickly if needed.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Urge all London local authorities to review water-rescue equipment and arrangements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“2. On 25th July 2023 – World Drowning Prevention Day - writing to Chief Executives of all London Local Authorities urging a review of water rescue equipment and arrangements. Several water safety events were held on this day at venues including Teddington lock, Hampton Court Palace and Hampton canoe club.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Implement improved Airwave radio communications to strengthen interoperability between emergency services at incidents.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Following recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in respect of radio communications at incidents, LFB has made significant changes to its radio system - Airwave Digital Main-Scheme Radio system. The changes improved communications between emergency services on incident grounds. This enables greater interoperability of the different operational talk systems used by the Metropolitan Police Service ['MPS'] and LFB.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Monitor the Coastguard ES3 channel and broadcast Thames incidents to which LFB can respond.

Verbatim wording from the response

“9. From February 2025, LFB Control staff monitor ES3 channel - the Coastguard channel - and broadcast any incident on the Thames to which LFB can respond.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Hold water-safety events and provide river-safety education through the Twickenham Fire Station water-safety room.

Verbatim wording from the response

“2. On 25th July 2023 – World Drowning Prevention Day - writing to Chief Executives of all London Local Authorities urging a review of water rescue equipment and arrangements. Several water safety events were held on this day at venues including Teddington lock, Hampton Court Palace and Hampton canoe club.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Support London local authorities to install water-safety equipment and throwline boards at key Thames locations.

Verbatim wording from the response

“LFB has worked with London Local Authorities to support them installing throwline boards at multiple points along the River Thames. Each throwline board contains a throwbag and foil blanket. These boards not only contain rescue equipment but provide precise geolocation detail, which can be used by LFB control staff to dispatch crews in the event of an incident.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Conduct multi-agency training exercises to test and improve emergency response on the Thames.

Verbatim wording from the response

“6. A number of multi-agency training exercises have been held to test and improve the emergency response on the Thames.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Provide throwlines and training in their use to riverside businesses, venues and parks patrols.

Verbatim wording from the response

“4. In the Richmond and Kingston areas of the Thames, as part of borough partnership initiatives in 2023/24, LFB provided throwlines and training in their use, to businesses, cafes, bars and restaurants along the river. Training in throwline use has also been provided to parks patrols.”

Source location

Response from London Fire Brigade
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with the Local Resilience Forum and relevant partners to advocate for enhanced inter-agency emergency communication.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Cross-Agency and Emergency Communication Issues”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Supplement the number of life-belt positions on Tower Bridge following a wider bridge safety review.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition and for further information, the City’s life belts and their housings are inspected weekly and any missing belts or damaged housings are replenished / replaced from a store we hold readily available for this purpose. Furthermore, if stakeholders report missing belts, these are replaced asap. We are also in the process of supplementing the number of left belt positions on Tower Bridge as a result of a wider review of safety matters for that bridge.”

Source location

Response from City of London
Page 1 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review the Report’s findings through future risk-assessment processes.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As far as my enquiries have determined, the Council does not own any Thames Riverside buoyancy aids. The provision, maintenance and any lighting of buoyancy aids will often fall to riparian land owners. The Council does own inland bodies of water and publically accessible places next to these. Consideration and review of risk assessments as to the provision of life buoys at these sites was recently given. Further consideration as to the lighting of these will now be given and this will be completed within three months of this letter. The report findings will be reviewed as part of risk assessment processes going forward. The report findings have also been shared with known riparian owners in case they have publically accessible lifesaving equipment.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Share the Report’s findings with known riparian owners possessing publicly accessible lifesaving equipment.

Verbatim wording from the response

“As far as my enquiries have determined, the Council does not own any Thames Riverside buoyancy aids. The provision, maintenance and any lighting of buoyancy aids will often fall to riparian land owners. The Council does own inland bodies of water and publically accessible places next to these. Consideration and review of risk assessments as to the provision of life buoys at these sites was recently given. Further consideration as to the lighting of these will now be given and this will be completed within three months of this letter. The report findings will be reviewed as part of risk assessment processes going forward. The report findings have also been shared with known riparian owners in case they have publically accessible lifesaving equipment.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consider whether the Local Plan can include a policy requiring developers adjacent to water to provide and maintain lifesaving equipment.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition to our response to your Matters of Concern above we will also ensure all relevant departments within the Council are made aware of your Report. As part of the review of the Local Plan, the Local Planning Authority will consider whether there is scope to include a policy for developers developing land adjacent to water to provide and maintain lifesaving equipment, so as to secure incremental improvements wherever possible.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Ensure all relevant Council departments are made aware of the Report.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition to our response to your Matters of Concern above we will also ensure all relevant departments within the Council are made aware of your Report. As part of the review of the Local Plan, the Local Planning Authority will consider whether there is scope to include a policy for developers developing land adjacent to water to provide and maintain lifesaving equipment, so as to secure incremental improvements wherever possible.”

Source location

Response from London Borough of Havering
Page 2 · response
Published 10 March 2025

Open published response
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Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Official responses located
5/18

Data last updated 7 September 2026