PFCC responds to first HMICFRS Inspection for Essex County Fire & Rescue Service

Speaking in response to the first inspection of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “We are pleased to have had HMICFRS undertake this independent inspection and to see that it confirms our initial assessment of the Service, the progress that they have made over the last two years and the areas where we need to improve. Importantly they have recognised the Service is good at responding to fires and emergencies and responding to national risks. This is a reflection of the Service’s hard work.

“The report will help us focus on areas where we still have more to do in particular around protection especially technical fire safety, prevention and above all getting the culture of the Service to where it needs to be, including better recruitment and retention of our on-call firefighters.

“We will continue to invest in the areas that require improvement, which we have already recognised as priorities within the Fire and Rescue Plan.”