News and Events

As we draw the 2025 Business Safety campaign to a close, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) is proud to reflect on a month of meaningful engagement, practical advice, and renewed partnerships with businesses across the county.

The campaign’s final week placed a special focus on the unique challenges faced by those managing estates in care homes, culminating in a dedicated event at the Leadership and Development Centre in Euxton, Chorley.

“Continuity in Crisis” – Learning from Real-World Experience

On Monday 22 September, care home managers and providers from across Lancashire gathered at the Leadership and Development Centre for a half-day seminar titled “Continuity in Crisis: Lessons from a Care Home Fire.” The event was designed to help leaders in adult social care strengthen their business continuity planning, drawing on a powerful case study of a recent care home fire incident.

Attendees heard first-hand accounts from those directly involved in managing the crisis, including multi-agency partners. The session explored how quick action and effective collaboration protected both residents and staff and offered practical takeaways for improving preparedness in the face of the unexpected. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for managers to share their own experiences and ask questions of the panel.

Campaign highlights and key messages

Throughout September, the Business Safety campaign has:

• Delivered targeted advice to small businesses on reducing fire risk and complying with the law, with a particular emphasis on mixed-use premises and the importance of regular fire risk assessments.

• Supported Fire Door Safety Week, sharing practical guidance with care homes, flats, and hotels on the critical role of fire doors in saving lives and protecting property.

• Urged all organisations to prioritise business continuity, planning ahead to mitigate risks such as fire and flooding that could threaten operations.

In 2024/25, LFRS attended 253 accidental building fires in commercial premises, delivered 3,637 business fire safety checks, and carried out 1,999 fire safety inspections.

These figures reflect the Service’s ongoing commitment to supporting Lancashire’s business community and ensuring that legal duties under the Fire Safety Order are understood and met.

What businesses can do today

As the campaign concludes, we encourage all business owners and managers to:

• Review and act on their fire risk assessments.

• Keep escape routes clear and maintain fire doors.

• Store flammable materials safely.

• Train staff on alarms, evacuation, and calling 999.

Matthew Hamer, Area Manager and Head of Prevention, Protection and Road Safety says:

“The Business Safety campaign has been a fantastic opportunity to engage with businesses of all sizes across Lancashire, helping them to understand their responsibilities and strengthen their resilience. Throughout the campaign, we’ve delivered practical advice on fire risk reduction, business continuity, and legal compliance—empowering organisations to protect their people, property, and livelihoods.

The event at the Leadership and Development Centre was a real highlight, bringing together care home estate managers to share experiences and learn from real-life incidents. By working together and learning from each other, we’re building a safer future for some of Lancashire’s most vulnerable residents. My thanks go to everyone who took part and to all our partners for their ongoing commitment to safety.”

For more information and resources, visit the LFRS Business Safety page.