Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's performance has deteriorated

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service needs to improve in a number of areas as its performance has deteriorated, a new report has found.

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Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2021/22 – Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) judged that the service:

  • is ‘good’ at effectively keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks;
  • ‘requires improvement’ at efficiently keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks; and
  • ‘requires improvement’ at looking after its people.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Wendy Williams said:

“I am satisfied with some aspects of the performance of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service – it is effective at keeping people safe and secure from fires, identifying risk and has good financial management and collaboration arrangements in place. However, there are areas where performance has declined since the last inspection.

“Response standards and the availability of its fire engines have got worse and the service isn’t sure it has identified all its high-risk premises. The service also doesn’t use its workforce in the most efficient way.

“There are some behaviours which are not in line with the service’s values. This is having a detrimental effect on staff. In addition, the service isn’t sufficiently prioritising work to improve inclusion and diversity.

“I expect to see progress made against these areas. We will continue to monitor the service in the meantime.”

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Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2021/22 – Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Notes

  1. In its last inspection, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service was rated as good across all three areas of assessment.
  2. For further information, please email the HMICFRS Press Office at HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk or call us on 07836 217 729.