WIREDGOV

In July 2017, HMICFRS extended its remit to include inspections of England’s fire and rescue service. We carried out three pilot inspections between March and May 2018, and this report sets out what we learned.

It also includes our learning from the public and sector consultations we ran on the inspection programme and framework, methodology and judgment criteria respectively. The report explains how we have adapted our approach to take account of our learning, and feedback from services.

Introduction

The Home Secretary announced HMICFRS as the inspectorate for England's fire and rescue services in July 2017. We have been working with fire and rescue services, fire authorities and other interested parties to develop the inspection methodology and approach.

This report sets out what we have learned from the three pilot inspections carried out between March and May 2018. It also includes our learning from the public and sector consultations we ran on the inspection programme and framework, methodology and judgment criteria respectively. The report explains how we have adapted our approach to take account of our learning, and feedback from services.

We are very grateful to the chief fire officers, chairs of fire authorities and colleagues of Suffolk, Staffordshire and West Yorkshire fire and rescue services. Their help, support and participation has helped us improve the inspection approach and the experience of all those involved.

Get the full report

Developing the fire and rescue service inspections – learning report

Get the free PDF Reader from Adobe