Humberside Fire and Rescue Service commended for good performance

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is outstanding at understanding risk and preventing fires, the fire inspectorate has said.

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

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

HMICFRS found that the service has an improvement plan in place, which it uses to record, manage, monitor and assess actions in relation to its continuous improvement. This has helped the service to move from good to outstanding for the way it understands the risk of fire and other emergencies.

Inspectors said the service analyses a range of information to identify current and future risk using a thorough community risk management planning process. The service is also using information and communications technology well to provide its prevention, protection and response services.

However, the inspectorate said that the service should improve the visibility of its leaders and their availability for contact with staff. Some staff continue to lack confidence in the feedback process and in their ability to challenge. There also needs to be assurances that staff are confident using its feedback mechanisms.

HMICFRS also said that the service should put in place an open and fair process to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Michelle Skeer said:

“I congratulate Humberside Fire and Rescue Service on its performance in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks. I am grateful to the way staff engaged with the inspection and I was pleased to see progress made since its previous inspection.

“The service is outstanding at understanding risk and preventing fires. It clearly identifies areas of risk and is aware of emerging issues and changes that affect risk.

“The service is also working well with local health organisations to provide an on-call falls response team, helping more people live in their homes for longer, reducing demand on other services.

“However, it must improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service. For example, staff still lack confidence in using the service feedback systems, and leaders at middle and senior levels could be more visible.

“I acknowledge that the service is undergoing a period of change, which is affecting some areas of work. But I commend them for the changes it has made and will keep in close contact to monitor progress.”

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

HMIFRS

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