Concerns about Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s performance

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service hasn’t made enough progress since its previous inspection and there are serious concerns about its culture, the fire inspectorate has said.

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Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2023–2025: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service performance across 11 areas. It found the service was ‘good’ in two areas, ‘adequate’ in two areas, ‘requires improvement’ in six areas and ‘inadequate’ in one area.

HMICFRS said that the service’s senior leaders aren’t managing effectively in some areas; their scrutiny and oversight needs to improve, along with how they respond to the issues raised by managers and the wider workforce. Inspectors found examples of some senior leaders not acting as role models and not demonstrating the culture and behaviours of the service.

The inspectorate also said that the service’s IT infrastructure is failing staff and holding the service back. Inspectors said they were disappointed to find that the IT risks identified are known to the service but haven’t been dealt with effectively. The governance, oversight and assurance processes in place aren’t effective.

HMICFRS found that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) isn’t a high enough priority for the service. The service should make sure it provides the strategic commitment, direction and monitoring needed to fully integrate EDI policies throughout the organisation.

However, inspectors found that the service has made improvements when it comes to preventing fire and other risks. The reallocation of resources and investment to its prevention activities has improved the service’s performance. HMICFRS also said that the service’s protection team is well trained and well resourced, and it aligns protection activity with risk. But the consistency of audits needs to improve.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Lee Freeman said:

“I am grateful for the positive and constructive way in which Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service staff worked with our inspection team.

“However, several areas have deteriorated, particularly in relation to efficiency and how it looks after its people. In particular, I have serious concerns that staff have reported that there isn’t a consistently positive and inclusive culture in the service.

“Senior leaders are also not providing effective strategic oversight of day-to-day operations, too many policies are out of date, and the service isn’t responding promptly to issues raised by managers and the wider workforce.

“The service needs to improve communications between staff and senior leaders and create a safer environment where staff feel more confident in providing feedback to senior leaders.

“While the service does have IT improvement plans, its current IT infrastructure is inefficient and is failing staff. And the service hasn’t made equality, diversity, and inclusion a high enough priority.

“In view of these findings, I have been in regular contact with the chief fire officer, as I don’t underestimate the improvements that are needed. I will keep in close contact with the service to monitor its progress in addressing the cause of concern and associated recommendations.”

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Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2023–2025: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

HMIFRS

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