Framework for the first fire and rescue inspections in ten years has been confirmed.
A new inspection framework published today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) sets out how the efficiency and effectiveness of England’s 45 fire and rescue services will be assessed in 2018/19.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services Sir Thomas Winsor said:“Following consultation with England’s fire and rescue services and the wider public, I am pleased to confirm how HMICFRS will conduct its first fire and rescue inspections. This inspection approach has been a collaborative effort and is the result of close cooperation between the fire and rescue services and our own inspection team."
“I am grateful to the fire and rescue services in Suffolk, Staffordshire and West Yorkshire, who will participate in our first pilot inspections this spring; these will inform and develop future methodology.”
The fire and rescue services inspection programme and framework 2018/19 will focus on three main themes:
- how effective each service is at preventing, protecting against and responding to fire and other risks;
- whether the service provides value for money; and
- how well the service looks after its people and ensures fairness and diversity.
HMICFRS will provide graded judgments in its inspection reports, which will help the public see how well their fire and rescue service is performing.