Fire Chiefs welcome Inspectorate’s findings but urge government to back sector with investment

Fire Chiefs have welcomed a new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which showed the majority (73%) of fire and rescue services in England have been rated adequate, good or outstanding and cited “notable progress” in performance. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) says the findings are a clear reflection of the professionalism and dedication of fire and rescue service staff who work tirelessly to keep their communities safe. However, NFCC also urged increased investment in fire and rescue services after the report also highlighted continued inconsistencies across the sector. 

NFCC says that whilst it shares the Inspectorate’s concerns about variations in performance and capacity, there needs to be the correct infrastructure in place at a national level to drive up standards and increase consistency. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report recommended the creation of a College of Fire and NFCC has welcomed the Government’s support for its establishment. However, NFCC is now urging the Government to move swiftly from support to action, with urgent investment needed to ensure the College of Fire can be fully realised and deliver the transformational change the sector requires. 

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Chair, Phil Garrigan, said: 

“Fire and rescue services have continued to deliver in the face of rising demand, increasing complexity, and constrained resources. The HMICFRS report reinforces what we have been saying for some time – that sustainable improvement requires sustainable investment. 

“We want to see a sector where every service can demonstrate the standards delivered by the very best. To achieve that, government must ensure the right structures, funding and skills strategies are in place to support our people and protect the public. Investment in the College of Fire and in our workforce is not optional – it is essential if we are to meet the changing and growing demands faced by fire and rescue services.” 

The report highlights that fire and rescue services in England have seen a 22% increase in incidents in the last decade, with non-fire incidents up 69%, placing further pressure on services that have seen years of constrained budgets. This follows warnings from NFCC in August that proposed changes to funding could see services in England lose a further 2,300 firefighter posts on top of the 11,000 lost as a result of cuts since 2008. NFCC has repeatedly called on the Government to reinvest in the sector to ensure fire and rescue services are properly equipped and staffed to meet growing and changing risks. 

NFCC echoes HMICFRS’s concerns about the competing pressures facing fire and rescue service protection (building safety) staff, with many departments struggling to recruit and retain skilled officers. This has the potential to impact the prioritisation of high-risk premises and public safety. NFCC has previously raised this in its Remediation Position Statement and Industry White Paper on Remediation, calling on the Government to create a comprehensive national skills strategy to build capability across the protection workforce. 

The Inspectorate’s findings also emphasise the need for continued work on culture and leadership. NFCC is supporting this through its People, Culture and Leadership Strategy, working alongside the Ministerial Advisory Group and Inclusive Fire Service Group to embed lasting cultural change and improve leadership across the sector. 

NFCC also welcomes the Inspectorate’s recognition of its positive contribution to sector improvement, including the impact of its positive practice portal, and financial benchmarking initiatives. These programmes are supporting services to drive consistency, share best practice, and improve outcomes for communities. 

ENDS 

• A copy of the full HMICFRS State of Fire 2024-25 Report can be found here.  

• The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is a charity and an independent membership association and the professional voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. NFCC supports fire and rescue services to help them to save lives and keep their local communities safe.