Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has been placed under strict monitoring by the fire inspectorate after a series of serious concerns were identified. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) rated the service as 'inadequate' in five of ten inspection areas and 'requires improvement' in a further three.
Inspectorate's Concerns
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Michelle Skeer OBE QPM said: “I have concerns about the performance of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks. As a result, and after careful consideration, I have decided to place the service into our enhanced monitoring process, Engage.” She noted the service needs to improve how it records and monitors competencies, adding: “The service’s inconsistent approach to collecting this information means it can’t be sure that all staff are meeting the expected standard.”
Key Areas for Improvement
The chief inspector identified five areas where Northumberland had not done enough: gathering and recording site-specific risk information; communication with staff; recording staff competency, training and skills; equality, diversity and inclusion; and strategic direction with consistent leadership and effective accountability. The inspectorate also criticised the recording of operational competencies and said the service's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion had 'deteriorated' since its last inspection. It noted the service still has work to do to improve its culture, including addressing 'unacceptable behaviours' such as the use of 'inappropriate language'.
Service's Response
Chief Fire Officer Keith Carruthers said: “When I took up my role in April, I was fully briefed by HMICFRS on the findings of their inspection. We welcome this report, which provides an important opportunity to reflect, learn and build on the strengths that already exist within Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service - driving positive and lasting change across the organisation. Alongside the publication of the report, HMICFRS have moved the service to an enhanced level of monitoring which will provide us additional support to improve.” He added that the inspection reflected a period of significant organisational change and disruption, and that his new leadership team has focused on strengthening leadership, rebuilding capacity and improving stability. He assured residents that public safety remains at the heart of what they do.
The service was rated 'adequate' in preventing fire and risk, and 'good' in public safety through fire regulation. The enhanced monitoring follows an 'accelerated cause of concern' issued in April after the service failed to effectively gather or record site-specific risk information.
