Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is effective, efficient and looks after its people. Following an independent inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the service has been awarded ‘good’ in all three areas in the first review of its kind. And as a result, Kent has emerged as one of the top performing services in the country, of those assessed so far as part of a rolling program to inspect all 45 fire and rescue services in England.
During their visit in January this year, inspectors assessed how effectively and efficiently Kent Fire and Rescue Service prevents, protects the public against, and responds to, fires and other emergencies. They also looked at how well the service looks after its staff.
Responding to incidents effectively
KFRS achieved ‘good’ in the three key areas assessed, and is therefore meeting the high expectations of HMICFRSKFRS achieved ‘good’ in the three key areas assessed, and is therefore meeting the high expectations of HMICFRS. Not only does the report highlight the service’s ability to respond to incidents effectively, and spend public money appropriately, but it also found the service offers ‘excellent wellbeing support’ for staff, noting ‘a culture of trust and empowerment’ with some ‘outstanding’ staff practices.
The service has already taken steps to improve areas highlighted by inspectors, such as ensuring local training records are kept up to date, and recruiting more people to its technical fire safety team to increase productivity and achieve auditing targets.
Providing good customer service 24/7
Ann Millington, Chief Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This was the first inspection of its kind and a great opportunity to hear from an independent body how we’re performing. I’m pleased and proud that Kent has been graded a ‘good’ fire service, but we can strive for better – it’s part of our DNA. It’s important we continue to improve the services we offer to our communities – because there’s always more to be done.
This positive outcome wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of every member of our team"
“This positive outcome wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of every member of our team. I am thankful to have such a strong and passionate workforce, made up of people who genuinely care about each other, keeping our customers safe and providing a good service 24/7.
“Thanks also goes to HMICFRS’ inspectors, whose recommendations we welcome and we have started implementing changes in a majority of suggested areas since the visit in January.”
Result of firefighters’ hard work
Nick Chard, Chairman of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “I’m very pleased to hear that Kent Fire and Rescue Service is among the top performing fire services in the country following its ‘good’ inspection. This comes as a result of hard work and dedication from firefighters and officers, who together provide the community with a fire and rescue service to be proud of.”
HM Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Zoë Billingham said: “I am pleased that we have rated Kent Fire and Rescue Service as ‘good’ across all three areas of our inspection. This is a modern and innovative fire service that is prepared to find new ways of doing things. Many other fire and rescue services could learn from the example it sets.
Responding to fires and other emergencies
The service performs well in one of its primary duties: responding to fires and other emergencies"“The service performs well in one of its primary duties: responding to fires and other emergencies. We found good collaboration with other local emergency services, including the ambulance service and the police, which improves the service given to the people of Kent.
“We were very impressed with how Kent Fire and Rescue Service manages and looks after its people; some of the practice we found is outstanding. We were struck by the positive relationship between staff and senior leadership, which encourages direct contact and a culture of trust and empowerment.
“I look forward to continuing to see strong performance from Kent Fire and Rescue Service in future inspections.”
