To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has made for fire cover in the event of (a) a local and (b) a national fire strike pending full take-up of the Fireguard programme. (262594)

The planning for the provision of emergency fire cover during industrial disputes is the responsibility of Fire and Rescue Authorities. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 lays down duties for specified “Category 1 responders”, including fire and rescue authorities, to assess, plan and advise in relation to emergencies. For a fire and rescue authority, an emergency includes a period of industrial action.