In April, the Minister for State for Security, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP wrote to the Chairman and CEO of the FIA detailing his support for the fire safety industry stated that "the Government is grateful for the sector’s continuing efforts at this challenging time.”

The Minister added: "Many roles within the fire and security industry provide vital support to critical services as well as relieve pressure on the emergency services. I recognise that the businesses and organisations encompassed by the FIA provide products and services which provide essential safety to people as they go about their daily lives. The Government is grateful for the sector’s continuing efforts at this challenging time. Such employees engaged in this critical task will need to continue to perform their work. However, equally important in the fight against COVID-19 is that as many people as possible remain at home and that those who go to work follow Public Health England guidelines.

I ask therefore, that your industry considers carefully which of its employees absolutely must continue travelling into work to enable companies to continue providing their vital services, and what possible steps can be taken to facilitate staff working from home. For those workers who cannot work from home, the guidance is clear that they are allowed to travel and attend work if it is safe to do so and they, and other members of their household, are not symptomatic"

Please read the letter below as it contains important information (and can be printed off and used as necessary) for those providing vital and essential support (products and services) to the fire and security industry and those helping to relieve pressure on the emergency services; the basis of which is to provide essential safety to people as they go about their daily lives.

Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA and Derek Gotts Chair of the FIA would like to thank our colleagues at the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Home Office for their support in getting this important and clear message from the Minister.