According to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Sir Thomas Winsor: "The fire and rescue service (England) continues to be an enormous asset to our communities and the sector's response to the pandemic has been exemplary.”
Complimented protection activity
The report praised an improvement in protection activity with a 17 percent increase incompetent staff recruited. A better culture has been reported, with 86% of staff stating they were treated with dignity and respect and most services being better at promoting a positive and professional culture.
The outstanding response to the pandemic, still very much with us, was cited and fire and rescue services are well prepared for major incidents.
Applauded rescue service staff
Responding to the report, Chair of the NFCC, Mark Hardingham praised fire and rescue service staff for their ongoing dedication, commitment, and willingness to take on more, stating: "This has never been more evident than through the last 21 months of the pandemic."
NFCC’s Core Code of Ethics is contributing to the improvement in fire and rescue services
“I am pleased to see that today's independent inspection report recognizes the vitally important work of fire and rescue services. Once again, we see how professional and adaptable staff are in supporting their communities. I am also pleased to see the NFCC’s Core Code of Ethics, Leadership, Community Risk Programme, Digital and Data, and Protection and Building Safety work contributing to the improvement in fire and rescue services, alongside the progress of newly released national Fire Standards."
“The latest inspection of fire and rescue services has come at a time when we have witnessed outstanding commitment from fire and rescue staff, working with partners and volunteers, as the country faced one of the most difficult periods in recent history. We have seen our people step up and take on additional work from setting up vaccination sites, administering almost half a million vaccines, delivering essential items, and driving ambulances. This has been recognized in the report and deserves such national recognition. This work continues today with fire and rescue services stepping back in to support the booster program."
Growth in protection work
Mr. Hardingham added he was pleased to see the increase in protection work following findings of previous inspections but voiced his concerns that without significant ongoing investment in this area, it will be difficult to sustain the early improvements.
The NFCC agrees that the speed of national reform has been slow, in part due to the expected government White Paper not yet being published. However, initiatives such as the Fit for the Future project – led by the National Employers (England), the Local Government Association, and NFCC – are setting out the fire and rescue service’s future vision, vital in meeting public expectations and demands of a modern fire and rescue service.
Still needs improvement
Sir Thomas Winsor also points out that there is still improvement needed, with prevention work and equality and diversity being areas of concern. The NFCC accepts that assertion and his concerns about funding inequalities.
There will be a focus on delivering the four recommendations that remain from previous reports
He remains clear that “the sector faces significant obstacles which are hampering its progress,” citing rigid national terms and conditions preventing services from fully exploiting resources to meet local needs.
No new national recommendations have been made in the report and there will be a focus on delivering the four recommendations that remain from previous reports.
Workforce diversity and inclusions
Mr. Hardingham added: “There is a lot for the public and fire and rescue services to be proud of in the report, from the traditional role of the fire and rescue service to our response to the pandemic. The NFCC will work closely with fire and rescue services, government, employers, and other partners to provide support in the areas where further work is required, although once again it is likely that this improvement will have to run alongside the fire and rescue service’s role in responding to the pandemic."
“One area where I am keen to see continued progress is workforce diversity and inclusion across fire and rescue services. While culture and values are key to this; we must look to a wider societal shift to change hearts and minds about the role of the firefighter and it being a career for all.” The better we represent our communities the better outcomes we will achieve."
Report publishing
The report covering all 44 English fire services will be published in 2022, following the remaining inspections. HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire & rescue services, and the report has been laid in Parliament today (December 15th).
The services reported on were: Avon, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Greater Manchester, Hereford and Worcester, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Northumberland, and Surrey. Warwickshire’s findings will be published in the new year.
