Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is ‘good’ at responding to major incidents, but ‘inadequate’ at preventing fires and other risks, according to an inspection report published earlier this week.
The report is based on His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service's (HMICFRS) 12-week inspection that assessed performance in 11 different areas of the service’s work.
North Watford county councillor Asif Khan said he is "disappointed" by the findings, adding: "We should not settle for anything less than an outstanding fire service for Hertfordshire.
"The report does recognise that progress has been made, such as improvements in risk information and operational command. However, years of underfunding have left the service struggling in key areas."
In three assessed areas – responding to major incidents, future affordability and managing performance and developing leaders – the service was found to be ‘good’, while understanding fire and risk, promoting values and culture, and promoting fairness and diversity was ‘adequate’.
However, performance in four areas – public safety through fire regulation, responding to fires and emergencies, best use of resources and right people, right skills – were judged 'requires improvement', while preventing fire and risk was 'inadequate'.
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In the report, HM Inspector Lee Freeman said he was “satisfied with some areas of the performance”, in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.
However, he expressed “serious concerns about how effective the service is at preventing fires and other risks”.
According to the report, the service’s prevention activity – such as home fire safety visits – were found not to be targeted at those who were most at risk.
Crews, it says, were “concentrating on achieving a numerical target rather than making sure activity is targeted to those who need it most”. It also found there was not a robust evaluation process for prevention activity.
Concerns relating to the service’s prevention work were highlighted in October, when HMICFRS issued an ‘accelerated cause for concern’.
Commenting , Hertfordshire’s chief fire officer Alex Woodman says it evidences positive progress within the Herts Fire and Rescue Service.
He said: “Our service is on a journey to becoming outstanding.
“To achieve that we must continuously look to enhance and improve, we need to honestly evaluate what we’ve achieved so far, and where we need to do more.
“This report highlights areas where there’s more work to be done as part of our commitment to providing the best service to the public.”
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