Review GMFRS Incident Commander policy
Manchester Arena Inquiry · Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response · Issued 3 November 2022 · Addressed to: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Government responseUK Government: Accepted (Nov 2025)
DeliveryCabinet Office says in progress (Feb 2026)
Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service should review the policy by which the Incident Commander takes up the role, in light of the shortcomings I have identified in the policy in operation on 22nd May 2017.
Manchester Arena Inquiry, Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response · 3 Nov 2022 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
AI-generated evidence summary
In February 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that work on the recommendation remained in progress, stating that UK fire and rescue services adopt a national incident command structure based on National Operational Guidance alongside formalised command qualifications and competencies (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). The UK Government accepted the recommendation in full in November 2025, when this same progress update was first recorded (Cabinet Office response, Nov 2025; Cabinet Office, Nov 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026.
Government response
●UK Government · Accepted · 14 Nov 2025
Accepted in full
Response document: Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations (GOV.UK page linking to the Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard)
Delivery
●Cabinet Office says in progress · 27 Feb 2026
As per the previous update, there is wide evidence and supporting trend of formalised command qualifications and competencies. These include awarding bodies, such as Skills for Justice and recognised roles such as National Inter agency Liaison Officers and tactical advisors. UK Fire and Rescue Services adopt a national incident command structure based on National Operational Guidance.
Earlier statements on delivery (0)
●Cabinet Office · 14 Nov 2025
As per the previous update, there is wide evidence and supporting trend of formalised command qualifications and competencies. These include awarding bodies, such as Skills for Justice and recognised roles such as National Inter agency Liaison Officers and tactical advisors. UK Fire and Rescue Services adopt a national incident command structure based on National Operational Guidance.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
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