Report reveals concerns over Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service performance
Iain Hoey
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HMICFRS inspection highlights resource and cultural challenges in Shropshire fire service
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has released its 2023–25 inspection report on Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
The report finds the service “requiring improvement” in six key areas and “inadequate” in managing resources.
Key criticisms include weak financial oversight, poor transparency in funding major projects, and insufficient performance management.
The service was also found to lack progress in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
Firefighters reportedly lack confidence in how bullying, harassment, and discrimination are addressed.
The report highlights failures to implement recommendations from an independent cultural review and criticises leadership for not fostering an inclusive workplace environment.
Resourcing and governance criticised
The inspectorate identifies resourcing as a critical challenge for the service.
According to the report, SFRS struggles with allocating and managing its financial and operational resources effectively.
Concerns include mismanagement of capital projects, inadequate planning for workforce capacity, and over-reliance on overtime.
The inspection also notes gaps in training facilities and ICT infrastructure, alongside ineffective risk management processes.
HMICFRS states that the fire authority must improve governance and financial controls to ensure public funds are well-managed.
Cultural issues raised
The report also addresses cultural concerns within SFRS.
It criticises leadership for perpetuating and failing to address misogyny, citing the recent return of Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman, who received a written warning for exchanging inappropriate messages.
Despite commissioning an independent review into workplace culture, SFRS has yet to implement any of its recommendations.
Instances of bullying and harassment were also flagged, with many firefighters expressing distrust in the service’s complaint-handling processes.
FBU responds to the report
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has reacted strongly to the findings.
Andrew Scattergood, FBU executive council member for the West Midlands, said: “This damning report into Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service must be a wake-up call for the fire authority.
“Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is failing women firefighters.”
He added: “Those at the very top of the service are responsible for perpetuating and failing to tackle misogyny: as part of the problem, they cannot be the solution. The fire authority must step in.”
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, emphasised the need for urgent action: “It is absolutely unacceptable that Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to fail women firefighters.”
He also called for national investment and standards: “Since 2010, central government funding for the fire and rescue service has been slashed by 30%.
Combined with failures of leadership, this is a recipe for disaster.”
HMICFRS inspection reveals concerns over Shropshire fire service: Summary
The HMICFRS inspection report on Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service identifies serious challenges in resource management, cultural inclusivity, and leadership accountability.
It highlights inadequate financial governance, slow progress on equality and diversity, and insufficient training infrastructure.
The Fire Brigades Union has called for immediate action by the fire authority and central government to address these concerns.
The report serves as a critical assessment of current practices, urging substantial reforms to improve both operational efficiency and workplace culture.
