Firefighters across South East unite to crack fire investigation cases
Four Counties Fire Services Join Forces
In a major shake-up, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services have teamed up with a new joint fire investigation policy. Signed in November 2021, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to standardise and toughen fire investigations across these four counties.
The goal? To boost resilience, unify training, and push for top-notch investigation standards that follow national guidelines. This collaboration promises sharper, smarter fire investigation and prevention across the South East.
A Huge Milestone for Fire Safety
Mark Matthews, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for East Sussex Fire and Rescue, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that the Fire Investigation Memorandum of Understanding has now gone live across all four fire services. Fire investigation remains crucial—not just to spot fire causes but also to shape future prevention and operational learning. Years of prep have led to this milestone. I’m excited to work with colleagues across borders and take our fire investigation work to the next level.”
Closer Collaboration Means Safer Communities
Mark Andrews, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire & Rescue, commented:
“This MOU gives us a clear framework for close collaboration on joint training, policies, quality checks, and sharing officers and equipment. Dedicated teams have been working hard, and we’re already seeing improvements with superb joint training sessions. Sharing fire data means we can spot accidental fire trends faster, targeting prevention where it counts—and keeping communities safer than ever.”
Breaking Down Borders for Better Fire Fighting
Dan Quin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Surrey Fire and Rescue, said:
“Fire investigation is vital. Our skilled teams—who use drones and dogs—will see real benefits from this borderless approach. The MOU boosts prevention work, partnership building, and resilience. We warmly welcome the agreement and thank everyone who made it happen.”
This four-way fire investigation alliance is a game-changer for the South East, promising smarter prevention, sharper investigations, and safer neighbourhoods.
