“Improvements made in Fire and Rescue Services” asserts HMICFRS

Speaking at the annual ‘Chiefs and Chairs’ event hosted by HMICFRS, Sir Andy Cooke introduced his third annual assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England. Cooke addressed leading figures from across the Fire and Rescue sector, including Samantha Dixon (the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy), Sir Andy stressed that the Government must now take the opportunity to increase the momentum behind long-awaited reform.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector welcomed the promising signs of progress in Fire and Rescue Services’ protection departments. Positively, Cooke said that most Fire and Rescue Services are also increasing their focus on improving productivity and supporting the well-being of their workforces. He’s also encouraged to see continued progress in the sector’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel’s recommendations.

However, Sir Andy urged Fire and Rescue Services to prioritise improving leadership at all levels and to create and maintain a positive organisational culture. This is essential for supporting lasting change across the sector and achieving better outcomes for the public.

Additionally, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector expressed concern about the competing demands facing protection staff and ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled officers.

Proactive approach  

Sir Andy also stated that Fire and Rescue Services need to take a more proactive approach towards improving efficiencies. For example, the highest performing services are investing in their IT and technology systems and committing towards developing effective internal governance structures.  

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector said that the Government must be decisive and follow through on its commitment to reform. Sir Andy has encouraged ministers to seriously consider granting the Inspectorate with greater powers to create accountability.  

In order to help Fire and Rescue Services make the improvements needed, Sir Andy has urged the sector to implement seven national recommendations, including precisely determining the roles of Fire and Rescue Services and their staff to remove any ambiguity, reviewing and reforming the systems for determining pay and conditions and affording Chief Fire Officers operational independence.

All of the recommendations have been made in previous annual reports, while some of them continue to remain unaddressed.

Crucial role

Sir Andy Cooke said: “Fire and Rescue Services have a crucial role to play in protecting the public and making communities safe. Every day, staff show unwavering dedication and professionalism.”

Sir Andy added: “It was encouraging to see improvements made in our latest round of inspections, particularly so the progress made in protection departments and the focus on improving productivity. However, persistent issues remain in some areas, such as values, culture and behaviour as well as  leadership. Until our outstanding recommendations are addressed in full, the sector will not be able to give the best service to the public.”  

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector noted: “Now is a valuable opportunity to refocus efforts and advance reform across the Fire and Rescue Sector, including extending our powers and establishing a College of Fire and Rescue. Reform will be vital to create a consistent, professional and accountable Fire and Rescue Service the public expects and deserves.”

Response from the NFCC

Fire chiefs have welcomed the new HMICFRS report, which shows the majority (73%) of Fire and Rescue Services in England have been rated adequate, good or outstanding.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) believes the findings are a clear reflection of the professionalism and dedication of Fire and Rescue Service staff who work tirelessly to keep their communities safe. However, the NFCC also urges increased investment in Fire and Rescue Services given that the report also highlights continued inconsistencies across the sector.

The NFCC asserts that, while it shares the Inspectorate’s concerns about variations in performance and capacity, there needs to be the correct infrastructure in place at a national level in order to drive up standards and increase consistency.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report recommended the creation of a College of Fire and the NFCC has welcomed the Government’s support for its establishment. However, the NFCC is now urging the Government to move swiftly from support to action, with urgent investment needed to ensure the College of Fire can be fully realised and deliver the transformational change the sector requires.

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan explained: “Fire and Rescue Services have continued to deliver in the face of rising demand, increasing complexity and constrained resources. The HMICFRS report reinforces what we have been saying for some time: that sustainable improvement requires sustainable investment.”

Garrigan also observed: “We want to see a sector where every Fire and Rescue Service can demonstrate the standards delivered by the very best. To achieve that, Government must ensure the right structures, funding and skills strategies are in place to support our people and protect the public. Investment in the College of Fire and in our workforce isn’t optional. It’s essential if we are to meet the changing and growing demands faced by Fire and Rescue Services.”

Uptick in incidents

The report highlights that Fire and Rescue Services in England have seen a 22% increase in incidents in the last decade, with non-fire incidents up 69%, placing further pressure on operations that have seen years of constrained budgets. This follows warnings from the NFCC in August that proposed changes to funding could see Fire and Rescue Services in England lose a further 2,300 firefighter posts on top of the 11,000 lost as a result of financial cuts since 2008. The NFCC has repeatedly called on the Government to reinvest in the sector to ensure Fire and Rescue Services are properly equipped and staffed to meet growing and changing risks.

The NFCC echoes HMICFRS’ concerns about the competing pressures facing Fire and Rescue Service protection (ie building safety) staff, with many departments struggling to recruit and retain skilled officers. This has the potential to impact the prioritisation of high-risk premises and public safety. The NFCC has previously raised this in its Remediation Position Statement and industry White Paper on Remediation, calling on the Government to create a comprehensive national skills strategy to build capability across the protection workforce.

The Inspectorate’s findings also emphasise the need for continued work on culture and leadership. The NFCC is supporting this through its People, Culture and Leadership Strategy, working alongside the Ministerial Advisory Group and the Inclusive Fire Service Group to embed lasting cultural change and improve leadership across the sector.

The NFCC also welcomes the Inspectorate’s recognition of its positive contribution to sector improvement, including the impact of its positive practice portal and financial benchmarking initiatives. These programmes are supporting Fire and Rescue Services to drive consistency, share Best Practice and improve outcomes for communities.