Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service moved into enhanced monitoring
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services has today moved Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service into an enhanced level of monitoring.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) continuously monitors the performance of all fire and rescue services in England.
The monitoring process consists of two stages: Scan and Engage. All fire and rescue services are in routine monitoring under the Scan stage by default, but may be escalated to enhanced monitoring under the Engage stage if they are not effectively addressing the inspectorate’s concerns.
HMICFRS said Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service had been moved into Engage because the service hasn’t done enough since its last inspection to:
- address the inspectorate’s concerns and areas for improvement;
- adequately identify and prioritise those most at risk from fire;
- provide clear direction to make sure that its teams can prioritise work according to risk; and
- improve equality, diversity and inclusion.
The inspectorate also said it is concerned that the service doesn’t have the capacity and capability to implement the required improvements.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Roy Wilsher said:
“We move fire and rescue services into our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, when a service is not responding to our concerns, or if it is not managing, mitigating or eradicating these concerns.
“The Engage process provides additional scrutiny and support from the inspectorate and other external organisations in the fire and rescue sector to help the fire and rescue service improve and provide a better service for the public.
“Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has been asked to urgently produce an improvement plan and will meet regularly with our inspectors. We will work closely with the service to monitor its progress against these important and necessary changes.”
Notes
- For further information, please contact the HMICFRS Press Office on 0300 071 6781 or HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk.
- Read the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service 2023/25 inspection, published on 19 October 2023.
- Read more information about the HMICFRS monitoring process.