Chief Fire Officer praises Service for good progress following inspection and pledges improvement will continue

Statement on the third inspection report published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

Hertfordshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Alex Woodman, thanks the Inspectorate for the report which evidences positive progress within Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue and pledges his full support to the Service as improvements continue to be made.

In the latest report into Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, which follows a 12-week inspection in 2024, inspectors have highlighted the good progress made and the Chief Fire Officer has acknowledged that ‘there’s more work to be done’ to help communities prevent fires and continue the organisation’s journey to outstanding.

Inspectors have praised work carried out by the service to ensure a good culture, an issue which has been well-documented across the sector, reporting that ‘there is a positive working culture throughout the service. Staff are empowered and willing to challenge poor behaviours’. But noted that more work needs to be done to eradicate residual unacceptable behaviours, a position that the Chief Fire Officer fully endorses.

Additionally, HMICFRS commends the Service on the ‘considerable improvement’ of the new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) on previous versions. The new strategy is already helping the Service to provide more value and prioritise work to protect people and save lives.

Whilst Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue’s latest report is an improvement on the findings and recommendations published following the Inspectorate’s visit in 2022, with many of the ‘areas for improvement’ discharged, and grades reflecting the transformation of the Service under new leadership, it also includes one ‘inadequate’ grade for preventing fires and other risks.

HMICFRS wrote to Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service in November last year to inform leaders that inspectors didn’t believe that prevention activity is a sufficiently high priority for the service and asked the leadership team to prioritise this area ahead of the report publication.

The Service was quick to act on the recommendations and published an action plan to address the work needing to be done which HMICFRS acknowledged, saying they were pleased that it clearly shows a strong commitment and willingness to address their concerns.

Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire, Alex Woodman, said on the publication of today’s report:

“More than 1.2 million people living, working, and visiting Hertfordshire rely on us to keep them safe, and to answer their calls for help, often on the most challenging days of their lives. It’s an extremely important role, and one we take seriously.

“Our Service is on a journey to becoming outstanding. To achieve that we must continuously look to enhance and improve, we need to honestly evaluate what we’ve achieved so far, and where we need to do more. This report highlights areas where there’s more work to be done as part of our commitment to providing the best service to the public.

“It shows the good work we have done since our last inspection – the improvements that our new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) has already brought, our positive collaboration with other emergency services, and the high standards that we continue to strive for around culture, values and creating a fair and inclusive working environment. But any residual issues are being addressed as a high priority – the service has a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour, everyone has the right to a happy, healthy, and safe working environment.

“I see the work that the Service does every day.  The actions of every one of us undoubtedly contributes to people and property being protected, and lives being saved. I’m immensely proud of our people, and our collective commitment to keeping our communities safe, and I look forward to supporting them as we continue to work towards better.”

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, Executive Member for Public Health & Community Safety, said: “This report is evidence of the progress and steady improvements that Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue is making, not only for those working in the Service, but for the communities we serve.

“The people of Hertfordshire have the right to expect an outstanding fire and rescue service, and I am pleased with the progress that has been made so far, but there are some areas that need to be addressed as a priority. The dedicated crews and colleagues in the Service have my full support as they continue this task.

“I am looking forward to seeing the Service continue to transform and ensuring that our fire and rescue service is one that we can all carry on being proud of.”

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