HMICFRS assessments show strengths and gaps in Derbyshire and Devon and Somerset fire services
Iain Hoey
Share this content
Inspection outcomes reveal progress and outstanding concerns
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has released inspection reports evaluating Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
HMICFRS rated Derbyshire ‘good’ in nine of 11 categories, while Devon and Somerset was rated ‘good’ in three.
Derbyshire received one ‘adequate’ rating and one ‘requires improvement’, while Devon and Somerset received three ‘adequate’ ratings and five ‘requires improvement’.
HMICFRS said Derbyshire had improved emergency response, risk planning and staff support measures.
Devon and Somerset was praised for financial oversight and firefighter availability but was advised to improve its prevention work and workforce inclusion.
Derbyshire’s response capabilities and workforce improvements recognised
HMICFRS reported that Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service was well-prepared to handle emergencies and multi-agency incidents.
The service was found to anticipate foreseeable risks, including floods, pandemics and terrorist events.
Its operational structure was aligned with these risks to support a flexible and responsive deployment model.
Inspectors said the service had acted on previous recommendations around equality and disciplinary procedures.
It had introduced staff training in equality, diversity and inclusion and revised its grievance process to improve effectiveness and well-being.
Devon and Somerset urged to improve prevention work
HMICFRS stated that Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service had not made enough progress on prevention since the last inspection.
The service was advised to implement consistent methods for prioritising home safety visits.
The inspectorate said five improvement areas from earlier inspections had not yet been resolved.
Despite this, Devon and Somerset was assessed as good in responding to emergencies and managing financial resources.
Its on-call firefighter availability remained consistently high, according to the inspection.
Equality, culture and development challenges persist
HMICFRS said both services must improve the way they manage leadership development and organisational culture.
Derbyshire lacked a talent management programme and needed fairer promotion procedures.
Devon and Somerset’s equality and inclusion team was described as understaffed, delaying improvements.
Inspectors found that some staff did not feel comfortable challenging inappropriate workplace behaviour.
The service was urged to evaluate whether its cultural interventions were having the intended impact.
Inspectors issue formal comments on inspection findings
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Lee Freeman said: “I am pleased with the performance of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks, but it needs to improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service.
“It has made progress since our 2022 inspection.
“The service is good at responding to emergencies and we were pleased with the efforts to maintain operational availability.
“It has also improved its workforce plan and brought in new measures to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
“It has also recognised and addressed concerns we had heard about its disciplinary and grievance processes.
“But it should make sure its selection and promotion processes are fair, and do more to identify, support and develop future leaders.
“Overall, I commend the service on the changes it has already made, and I look forward to monitoring how it responds to address the areas for improvement we have identified.”
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Roy Wilsher said: “I am satisfied with some aspects of the performance of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.
“But the service needs to improve in some areas.
“In particular, it needs to do more to prevent fires and other risks.
“We recognise that the service has experienced some changes in senior leadership roles.
“And I don’t underestimate the challenges in changing the culture, performance and efficiency of a fire and rescue service.
“But we were disappointed to find that the service hasn’t made the progress we expected.
“For example, five areas for improvement that we highlighted during our previous inspections of the service still haven’t been addressed.
“Overall, there is a clear commitment from staff and senior leaders to improve.
“The service is aware of the many issues we found and had plans in place to make improvements.
“I will keep in close contact with the service to monitor its progress in addressing the remaining cause of concern and associated recommendations.”
HMICFRS assessments show strengths and gaps in Derbyshire and Devon and Somerset fire services: Summary
HMICFRS has released two inspection reports evaluating Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Derbyshire was rated ‘good’ in nine of 11 categories.
It was also rated ‘adequate’ in one area and ‘requires improvement’ in another.
Devon and Somerset was rated ‘good’ in three categories.
It received three ‘adequate’ ratings and five ‘requires improvement’ ratings.
HMICFRS praised Derbyshire for emergency response, equality training and risk planning.
The inspectorate said Devon and Somerset had strong financial oversight and on-call firefighter availability.
Devon and Somerset was advised to improve its fire prevention priorities.
Both services were told to improve workforce development and leadership pathways.
Cultural and inclusion-related concerns were raised in both reports.
HMICFRS included statements from Inspectors Lee Freeman and Roy Wilsher.
Both services were reported as having plans to address the remaining areas for improvement.