His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service performance. According to his metrics, the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service hasn’t progressed enough since its previous inspection.Â
There are serious concerns about its culture. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service was graded across 11 areas, and the service was good in two places, adequate in the other two, improvement required in six areas, and inadequacy found in one area.
HMICFRS expressed worries about the senior leaders’ services and their ineffectiveness in managing some areas, he said their scrutiny and oversight need improvement, and also their response to issues raised by managers and the wider workforce. He found examples of some senior leaders not acting as role models or demonstrating the service’s culture and behaviors.
IT failures and lack of diversity stifle Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s progress
The inspectorate also said that the IT infrastructure services are failing. According to him, it was disappointing to discover that the identified IT risks are known to the service but haven’t been dealt with effectively, and the governance processes in place are also ineffective.
It was found that equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are not high enough priorities in the service. The service should ensure that it provides the strategic commitment, direction, and monitoring needed to integrate EDI policies throughout the organization.
A significant improvement has been made in preventing fire and other risks, this improvement stresses the importance of Firefighters who are known to safeguard lives and properties. On Tuesday, February 4, Welshpool firefighters swung into action in a swift response to rescue a child and a dog by smashing a front window to get them out, crews from Mid and West Wales Fire Service were called to the scene of a young child and a dog stuck in a car at the Enterprise Park at Buttington Cross Welshpool, in their service and protection of the society, they remain unwavering.
The service’s performance has improved due to the reallocation of resources and investment in prevention activities. HMICFRS also said that the service’s protection team is well-trained and well-resourced, aligning protection activity with risk, however, the consistency of audits needs to improve.
“I am grateful for the positive and constructive way Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service staff worked with our inspection team.”
According to him, Senior leaders also do not effectively provide strategic oversight of day-to-day operations, too many policies are outdated, and the service does not respond promptly to issues raised by managers and the wider workforce. He also emphasized that the service needs to improve communications between staff and senior leaders and create a safer environment where staff feel more confident providing feedback to senior leaders.
He reiterated that while the service does have IT improvement plans, its current IT infrastructure is inefficient, and the service hasn’t made equality, diversity, and inclusion a high enough priority. With the findings in view, he said he has been in regular contact with the chief fire officer as he doesn’t underestimate the needed improvements.
He said he would keep close contact with the service to monitor its progress in addressing the cause of concern and associated recommendations. With the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service performance grading by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the service has not responded publicly to the report findings.
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