We all go to work each day hoping that crises remain hypothetical, response plans confined to training manuals and only put through their paces during exercises. But the sobering truth is that a crisis can strike at any time. When it does, lives and livelihoods depend on a swift, effective resilience response.

The consequences of that response falling short can be tragic, as has been laid bare by the inquiries into the Grenfell tragedy and the Covid pandemic. We shouldn't shy away from facing up to those consequences, no matter how uncomfortable – it is on everyone in public service to learn lessons and be ready to act when our communities need us.