Bucks fire service inspection reveals significant improvements since last report

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services latest inspection noted huge progress since 2023.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service was assessed across ten areas, achieving six good ratings and four adequate, compared with zero good grades and only one adequate back in 2023 (external). 

HMICFRS also reduced the number of areas declared in need of improvement from 26 to eight, with several areas also moved from requires improvement to good in a single inspection cycle, while protection has improved from inadequate to adequate.

The grading system uses five categories, of outstanding, good, adequate, requires improvement and inadequate. Areas awarded the grade of good were understanding fire and risk, preventing fire and risk, best use of resources and future affordability, promoting values and culture, right people right skills and leading people effectively. Those deemed adequate were: public safety through fire regulation, responding to fires and emergencies, responding to major incidents and ensuring fairness and diversity. 

The eight things listed as in need of improvement related to protection, operational risk information, learning from incidents, major incident preparedness, IT project assurance, working hours and the impact of policies on staff with protected characteristics. 

The HMICFRS found the progress since the last inspection in 2023 was supported by the establishment of 'a good internal governance model' within the service. Inspectors were also 'consistently told by staff' that the new chief fire officer appointed in December 2023 and the restructuring of the senior leadership team had helped improve the service’s culture. 

His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM said:

“I am pleased with the performance of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

“The service has worked hard to make progress since our inspection in 2023 and shows clear improvement. This has been underpinned by a robust governance structure, stable and self-aware leadership, and improved data and intelligence to support decision-making at all levels.

“However, the service needs to improve further in some areas to provide a consistently good service. For example, it should gather learning from all operational incidents and complete debriefs consistently.

“Overall, I commend the service on the changes it has made and expect it to continue working to resolve the further areas for improvement we have identified.”

Louise Harrison, Chief Fire Officer, said: “I am delighted that this HMICFRS report reflects the commitment and concerted efforts the service has made on our improvement journey, and I am incredibly proud of everyone across the Service who has helped us get here. The progress recognised in this report has taken a huge collective effort often alongside demanding day-to-day roles and at a time when we have been asking a great deal of our teams.

“We will take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together and recognise we are in a much stronger position than we were two years ago. However, we remain committed to delivering our vision of an excellent, modern, and agile Service. Our communities continue to be at the centre of everything we do. Strong leadership, intelligent use of data and robust governance enable us to understand local risks, deploy resources effectively and continuously improve the service we provide.”

Councillor Llew Monger, Chair of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said: “The Fire Authority has seen the sustained effort that has gone into strengthening the Service, and it is encouraging to see that progress independently recognised by HMICFRS.

The full HMICFRS report can be found here: https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/news/news-feed/buckinghamshire-fire-and-rescue-praised-for-improvements/ (external).