Fire protection progress at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service reviewed by HMICFRS

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has confirmed it has closed a previously raised cause of concern regarding fire protection activity at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service following a progress revisit.

HMICFRS raised concerns following an inspection between March and April 2023 which found the service had not sufficiently identified its highest-risk premises to inform its risk-based inspection programme.

Three recommendations were issued. These included reviewing and updating the inspection programme, developing a protection strategy, and improving how the service manages and records risk information.

The most recent revisit took place between 3 and 5 February 2025. According to HMICFRS, the service has made improvements in its governance, strategy, and audit capabilities, and a cause of concern closure letter was issued on 25 March 2025.

Risk-based fire protection strategy in place

HMICFRS reported that Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has now developed a protection strategy linked to its community risk management plan.

The strategy varies its fire safety activity depending on the risk level of the premises and includes a targeted audit programme. The service has also increased the number of competent staff available to carry out inspections and is continuing recruitment to support its goals.

The service completed 557 fire safety audits in 2023/24, up from 265 in 2022/23.

All operational crew and watch managers have now completed a level three certificate in fire safety. There are further plans to extend this training to all firefighters.

Inspection programme refreshed to target highest-risk premises

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has updated its risk-based inspection programme to identify high-risk premises more effectively. This is based on guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council and the service’s internal datasets.

The service aims to carry out 1,500 audits over three years and, as of the latest review, is ahead of target.

The programme will be reviewed every three years. Staff now have improved access to risk data through dashboards, which allow more effective tracking of individual performance and prioritisation of high-risk sites.

Improvements underway for managing risk information

HMICFRS found that the service is still using the same risk management system that was in place when the concern was raised, but it has made improvements to how risk information is collected and shared.

Daily meetings now take place between departments to share relevant risk details, which are then distributed to the wider team. Weekly meetings are held within the fire safety department to support consistency and best practice.

Plans are in progress to upgrade or replace the current system, known as Farynor. Procurement is underway for a new system, which the service intends to implement within the next 12 months.

HMICFRS closes cause of concern for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service after review of fire protection improvements: Summary

HMICFRS inspected Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in March and April 2023 and identified a cause of concern related to its identification of high-risk premises.

A revisit was conducted in February 2025. HMICFRS found the service had developed a protection strategy, refreshed its inspection programme, and made progress in risk information management.

Fire safety audits increased from 265 in 2022/23 to 557 in 2023/24. All crew and watch managers are now trained to level three in fire safety. Training is expected to extend to all firefighters.

The service is currently procuring a new risk information system and has made interim improvements to information sharing and management.

Governance arrangements remain in place to monitor progress, including performance dashboards. HMICFRS has closed the cause of concern and will continue to monitor the service in future inspections.