The ABI and Lloyds today announced that from 1 January 2000 the Fire Protection Association (FPA) will be formally separated from the Loss Prevention Council to enable it to concentrate on its core activities of fire safety, education and training.

The move follows a review undertaken by the Association of British Insurers and Lloyds, sponsors of the FPA, which is the UK’s national fire safety organisation and promotes the fire safety message to industry, commerce and the wider public. This concluded that FPA’s work was of national importance and it should continue to be sponsored by the insurance industry. FPA will continue to collect, analyse and publish statistics, identify fire trends and promote research as well as publishing guidance, recommendations and codes of practice as well as training.

The FPA will be fully operational from Paris Garden, London SE1 by the beginning of the new year under the leadership of Jonathan O’Neill who has been appointed Managing Director, FPA.

Mary Francis, Director General of the ABI, said:

“This move will make the FPA better placed to develop its core activities within an entirely independent framework. The decision reflects the importance which insurers place on fire reduction. It also demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that the FPA will be able to focus on its fire activities and developing its world-renowned training capability, at a time when there is a major shift in attitudes and significant opportunities to improve fire safety” The FPA plans to co-operate more closely with the Building Research Establishment, which, as also confirmed today, is in negotiations with the ABI and Lloyds on the sale of the remainder of the Loss Prevention Council Group.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP, the chairman of the FPA council, said:

“This is an important development in the history of the Association. With too many lives unnecessarily lost and properties damaged by fire, a concentrated effort of all those involved in fire reduction and co-ordination of increased risk awareness can achieve a dramatic reduction in these losses. I am confident that the FPA will be able to play a full part in meeting this goal.”

Notes

1. Enquiries to:
   ABI Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Home: 020 8297 9510)
   FPA Jonathan O’Neill 020 7902 5300



2. The core activities of the FPA are:
   
   To protect people, property and the environment by advancing fire prevention and protection techniques and to collaborate with central Government, fire service and other agencies in this work.


3. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.