People who work in the fire and rescue services in Great Britain are employed by the fire and rescue authorities. HSE are the enforcing authority for the Health and Safety at Work etc Act.
Responsibility for fire safety
Fire and rescue authorities are the principal enforcers and have a statutory duty to enforce the requirements of the legislation.
They are responsible for all matters relating to domestic fire risks and precautions. They deal with fire precautions, fire-fighting equipment and means of escape.
HSE only deals with fire risks arising from work activities in the workplace and all fire matters at construction and major hazard sites. There is more information on the fire and explosion web pages.
Fire and Rescue Services Act
The Fire and Rescue Services Act imposes 4 key responsibilities on fire and rescue services, which are:
- community fire safety
- fighting fires
- dealing with road traffic accidents
- responding to other emergencies, such as flooding
How HSE defines heroism in fire and rescue
There is separate guidance on heroism in the fire and rescue service. It explains when individual firefighters should not be at risk of investigation or prosecution, under health and safety law, if they have put themselves at risk as a result of a heroic act.