Concerns remain over fire service culture

More needs to be done to fix the “bad culture” at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service according to a recent inspection.

In July last year, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) judged that the service is inadequate at looking after its people and requires improvement at effectively keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

Inspectors revisited the service in November to review its progress and have found signs that the service’s workplace culture is slowly starting to improve, and there is a growing understanding of the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.

However, the inspectorate said it was important the service continued to build on this momentum. It will remain in its enhanced monitoring process, Engage, which provides additional scrutiny and support.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Wendy Williams said certain groups of staff continue to have little trust in the service’s commitment to improve, feel isolated and don’t believe positive changes will happen.

She said the service should consider what it can do to build trust and confidence with these groups but was pleased to see signs of progress when they revisited Gloucestershire.

“We saw that the service is prioritising work on improving its culture, increasing the visibility and approachability of its leaders, managing staff workloads and ensuring there is clear access to wellbeing support.

“The service is also working hard to integrate the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion, including making amendments to its recruitment and promotion processes.

“Most staff are starting to see small but positive changes. However, some groups continue to have little trust in the service’s commitment to improve.

“They feel isolated and don’t believe positive changes will happen. The service should consider what it can do to build trust and confidence with these groups.

“Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service now needs to continue to build on this momentum and grow these changes from small steps to significant initiatives. I look forward to working with the service to monitor its progress.”

Fire, community safety and libraries cabinet member Dave Norman (C, Grange and Kingsway) said he was pleased HMICFRS’s recognises the improvements the service has made in looking after its people.

“Hearing that most staff are starting to see small but positive changes is pleasing. Gloucestershire County Council has allocated £8million of funding to make sure crews have the best possible operational vehicles and equipment.

“By the middle of the year, suppliers will have been identified who will deliver almost £3million worth of new fire appliances and equipment in 2024, making sure crews have what is needed to respond to emergencies and protect communities across the county.”

“I know that chief fire officer, Mark Preece, and his leadership team are committed to building and growing the improvements made so far, making sure they are lasting change for the service.”

Mark Preece, chief fire officer for GFRS, said he too was pleased to see the progress has been reflected in the most recent report.

He said: “Our culture is improving and there is a growing understanding across all areas of the services how important equality, diversity and inclusion is.

“I am proud of all the hard work and dedication shown by colleagues and what we have achieved as a fire and rescue service.

“We now need to build on this momentum to ensure that GFRS is a positive and welcoming place to work and that we have the right culture, values and actively welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk