APCC response to HMICFRS reports
APCC response to HMICFRS reports:
HMICFRS, the national inspectorate for Fire and Rescue Services in England, has voiced concerns in its latest round of inspection reports published today.
The inspectorate, which has now inspected 30 of England’s 45 fire and rescue services, has identified concerns relating to the way fire and rescue services approach and respond to risk.
The inspectorate also emphasised the need for the fire and rescue sector to be supported in its quest to reform through enhanced capacity and capability.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and national Fire Standards Board member Julia Mulligan responded to the latest round of reports commenting: “Recommendations for greater consistency in how services recognise and respond to risk are helpful. We will ensure these recommendations receive the necessary attention and action they require, with a view to supporting the fire and rescue services in developing a more consistent approach towards risk management.
“The Inspectorate’s comments on the need for the sector to be supported in its quest to reform are encouraging. In the relatively short time Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners have overseen services, it has become clear there is a need for a clear expectation of what the role of fire and rescue services should look like in the future.
“Commissioners are more than aware of the challenges facing them in delivering innovative and preventative practices, in reducing vulnerability and in supporting people in need. Furthermore, we recognise there is work to do to ensure fire and services are representative of the communities they serve. We hope to meet these challenges by using our experience from policing and by working with the Home Office, National Fire Chiefs Council and HMICFRS on this.”
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners from Essex, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire, recently met to discuss opportunities to work together on fire and rescue. Watch the video.