PFCC calls for the acceleration of change and improvement as ‘positive’ progress is recognised in HMICFRS report
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has welcomed a ‘overall positive’ report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) into Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, yet underlines there are still ‘steps to be taken’.
The HMICFRS report graded the performance of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service across 10 areas. It found the service was ‘good’ in five areas, ‘adequate’ in three areas and ‘requires improvement’ in two areas.
HMICFRS said the service has made significant improvements since its last inspection, addressing issues around resources, workforce development and culture. Inspectors praised the improved leadership of the service, its focus on fire safety, effective partnership working and the successful handling of a major multi‑agency industrial fire in September 2024.
However, the report said further improvements are needed, including boosting fire engine and on‑call availability, strengthening key skills in on-call firefighters such as driving and water safety, and improving how the service learns from incidents to better target prevention work. Inspectors also found that the process for crew identification is outdated, calling for a ‘technology-enabled’ solution.
Roger Hirst said: “Overall, this is a positive report, which shows the service is moving in the right direction. What happens next is important as it is clear there are still steps which need to be taken. This report should be used to accelerate the work needed to improve key areas of service delivery.
“Inspectors noted that the availability of fire engines, especially on-call, continues to decline. This has already been identified. Improvement is needed in this area and we are working with the service to make more progress.
“We back the inspection report call to strengthen on-call firefighter development. Doing so will help increase the number of trained on-call staff and improve fire engine availability. The report also said the service should improve the consistency of command at incidents. These are priorities that I shall raise with the Chief Fire Officer.
“There is much to celebrate in this report, but without a doubt, there is more to do. A cornerstone that is already enabling the service to improve, recognised by the Inspectors, is the Community Risk Management Plan. We have been clear with the service that more progress will need to be made in year two of its implementation, mirroring what the main inspection report has signalled.
“Only by relentlessly focusing on learning, investing in the availability of appliances, utilising technology and embracing new ways of working will we build an outstanding fire service, which the people of Essex deserve.”