The Fire Standards Board has approved the new Organisational Learning Fire Standard, marking an important step forward in how fire and rescue services capture, share, embed and evaluate learning across every part of their organisation. The new standard replaces the Operational Learning Fire Standard and reflects the sector’s growing recognition that learning should not be limited to operational activity, but should inform improvement across all functions, disciplines and levels of a service.
When reviewing the Operational Learning Fire Standard as part of the scheduled maintenance programme, it became clear that learning had evolved significantly across the sector and that many services were already adopting a broader approach that extended beyond operational incidents.
In December 2024, the Fire Standards Board agreed to explore how organisational learning could be addressed within the suite of Fire Standards. The Fire Standards team worked with representatives from the National Operational Learning User Group (NOLUG), the Operational Preparedness, Response and Resilience Committee (OPRR), the NFCC Organisational Learning Board, and the NFCC Strategic Risk and Improvement Committee to consider the best approach.
Following consideration by these NFCC Committees, the decision was made to expand the focus and create a new Organisational Learning Fire Standard.
The development work also confirmed that the key operational learning principles were either incorporated into the new standard or, where more appropriate, transferred into other existing Fire Standards, including Operational Preparedness, Leading the Service, and Leading and Developing People.
Read more about the changes made to the Leadership Standards in our Leadership Fire Standards Updated to Reflect Sector Priorities and Learning article.
What the new standard aims to achieve
The Organisational Learning Fire Standard promotes a whole-system approach to learning that extends beyond operational activity and reaches every function within a fire and rescue service. It establishes organisational learning as a core component of risk reduction, organisational effectiveness and continuous improvement.
The standard emphasises:
- learning from both positive practice and adverse events;
- strong governance and accountability;
- psychological safety and openness;
- effective communication and knowledge sharing;
- evidence-based analysis and decision-making;
- evaluation, assurance and continuous improvement; and
- collaboration across the sector and with partners.
By embedding these principles, services will be better positioned to deliver their community risk management plans and strategic priorities, improve safety outcomes, strengthen organisational resilience, support informed decision-making and deliver continual improvement for their communities and employees.
How the standard was developed
A dedicated working group was formed, bringing together organisational learning specialists and practitioners from across fire and rescue services, supported by subject matter experts from NFCC.
A draft standard was developed by the group and then subject to peer review involving senior leaders, academic experts, representative bodies and government stakeholders. Feedback from this process helped further strengthen the document before it was approved for consultation.
Consultation and engagement
The consultation took place in June 2026 and generated strong engagement from across the sector.
The consultation provided valuable feedback from across the sector, helping to refine and strengthen the Organisational Learning Fire Standard. Key changes included a greater emphasis on safety, organisational-wide learning, governance and accountability, assurance and evaluation, positive practice, and clearer terminology.
A full summary of the consultation feedback and the changes made can be found in our You Said, We Did article.
What happened to the Operational Learning Fire Standard?
The Operational Learning Fire Standard has now been withdrawn and replaced by the Organisational Learning Fire Standard. During the review, organisational learning requirements were incorporated into the new standard, while operationally focused content was transferred to the Operational Preparedness Fire Standard.
This includes the requirement to use learning to inform planning, training, exercising and the development of operational capability. The change ensures that key operational learning principles remain within the Fire Standards framework, while providing a clearer distinction between organisational learning and operational preparedness.
Visit the Operational Preparedness Fire Standard to view the changes.
The Fire Standards Board would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development, peer review and consultation process. Their expertise, challenge and feedback have helped shape a Fire Standard that reflects current practice, supports future improvement and provides a consistent framework for organisational learning across the fire and rescue sector.
To support fire and rescue services with implementation, guidance and resources are available from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Implementation Team. For further information or support, please contact [email protected].