HMICFRS outlines framework for evaluating fire and rescue services

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has confirmed the inspection approach it will use to evaluate fire and rescue services in England between 2025 and 2027.

According to HMICFRS, the fire and rescue services inspection programme 2025–27 will assess each service against defined characteristics of good performance.

These characteristics are designed to support consistency across all services and to clarify how judgements about effectiveness, efficiency and people management will be made.

The inspectorate stated that while these characteristics are informed by national standards, operational guidance and research evidence, they are not intended to constitute definitive benchmarks.

HMICFRS noted it retains the discretion to determine its own measures of performance in assessing services.

Fire and rescue effectiveness to be evaluated in five key areas

HMICFRS explained that its effectiveness assessment will examine how well each fire and rescue service understands and manages risk, prevents incidents, protects the public, responds to emergencies, and works with other agencies during major incidents.

The inspectorate said each service’s Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) will be reviewed to determine whether risks are accurately identified and mitigated through appropriate resource allocation, governance and accountability.

In terms of prevention, HMICFRS stated that it expects services to have strategies aligned with local risks, statutory requirements and accessible communication for diverse communities.

Services must also show evidence of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and evaluating the impact of their prevention efforts.

Regulatory activity and emergency response will also be assessed

HMICFRS outlined that services will be judged on how effectively they protect the public through fire safety regulation.

This includes implementing fire safety enforcement strategies, conducting audits and using enforcement powers where necessary.

Regarding emergency response, HMICFRS said it will assess services’ alignment with national operational guidance, the appropriateness of response strategies, and how information is gathered and shared.

The inspectorate also said it will consider how services use learning from past incidents to improve future performance.

Services will also be evaluated on their readiness to manage major and multi-agency incidents, with specific attention to planning, exercising joint capabilities, and applying national coordination frameworks.

Efficiency, workforce management and leadership included in inspections

According to HMICFRS, the efficiency assessment will consider how each service uses resources to deliver value for money and manage risk.

This includes financial planning, performance management, and how services exploit opportunities to improve efficiency through estate, fleet and technology decisions.

Inspections will also evaluate how well fire and rescue services support their workforce. HMICFRS said it will look at organisational culture, staff development, training, inclusion, and leadership.

It added that services must demonstrate that they are promoting ethical conduct, supporting staff well-being and ensuring fairness in recruitment and progression.

The inspectorate confirmed that the inspection framework aims to determine whether services have the capacity and capability to deliver sustainable improvement and public service.

Fire and rescue services inspection programme 2025–27: Summary

HMICFRS has released details of how it will inspect fire and rescue services in England from 2025 to 2027.

The inspections will use characteristics of good performance to assess effectiveness, efficiency and people management.

These characteristics are not binding standards but help ensure consistent evaluation across services.

Effectiveness assessments will focus on risk management, prevention, fire safety regulation, emergency response and major incident preparedness.

Efficiency assessments will look at governance, financial management, resource allocation and value for money.

People assessments will consider workforce culture, training, diversity, inclusion and leadership at all levels.

All inspection criteria are linked to services’ Community Risk Management Plans.

HMICFRS retains discretion to apply its own judgment when evaluating service performance.

The inspection programme draws on national standards, operational guidance and research evidence.

Performance findings will inform improvement and accountability across fire and rescue services in England.