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Proposed fire and rescue services inspection programme and framework 2025–27: For consultation

We would like your views on whether this programme covers the right areas of FRSs’ activities.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The combined Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service serves the local authority areas of Bournemouth, Dorset, Poole, Swindon and Wiltshire.

In addition to tackling fires and helping people involved in road traffic collisions, the service responds to emergencies. Its specialist teams provide rope, water and animal rescue capability, and it assists with flooding incidents.

The service aims to reduce the risk of incidents happening in the first place, and works  with partners to assist the most vulnerable. Its protection department checks that businesses and commercial premises adhere to fire safety legislation.

The service has 50 stations serving its local communities.

Connect with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

HMICFRS region and HMI

  • His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services (HMI): Roy Wilsher is temporary HMI for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • HMICFRS region: The service is in HMICFRS’s Western fire region

HMICFRS’s role in inspecting this service

For over 160 years, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary independently assessed and reported on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and policing, in the public interest.

In summer 2017, HMIC (now HMICFRS) took on inspections of England’s fire & rescue services, assessing and reporting on their efficiency, effectiveness and leadership.

Key facts – 2022/2023

Service Area

2,370 square miles

Population

1.54m million people people
up3% local 5 yr change

Workforce

47% wholetime firefighters
53% on-call firefighters
0.55 per 1000 population local
0.54 national level
down9% local 5 yr change
down4% national 5 yr change

Assets

50 stations
74 fire engines

Incidents

9.5 fire incidents per 1000 population local
10.4 national
3.2 non-fire incidents per 1000 population local
3.5 national
4.4 fire false alarms per 1000 population local
4.3 national

Cost

£23.15 firefighter cost per person per year
£26.96 firefighter cost per person per year (national)