Surrey Fire and Rescue Service has made improvements in some areas, but further changes are needed, the fire inspectorate has said.
Effectiveness and people: SFRS
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded Surrey Fire and Rescue Service’s performance across 11 areas and found the service was ‘good’ in one area, ‘adequate’ in three areas, and ‘requires improvement’ in seven areas.
HMICFRS said the service needed to improve its protection work, including the accurate identification of how many high-risk premises it has, and continue its improvement work to make sure it is getting value for money.
Risk level of fire safety audits
HMICFRS said the service needed to improve its protection work, including the accurate identification
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, Roy Wilsher, said: "I am satisfied with some aspects of the performance of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks, but the service needs to improve in some areas."
He adds, "Despite a significant change in leadership and workforce transfers to London Fire Brigade, the service’s culture has improved."
Roy Wilsher continues, "But I was disappointed to find that the service wasn’t doing enough to make sure its protection work was effective, and I have given a new cause of concern. We found that the service isn’t recording the risk level of fire safety audits it carries out, which means it can’t be sure it is targeting the highest-risk buildings."
prevention and protection priorities
Roy Wilsher further states: "Although the service is not adequately allocating its resources to meet its prevention and protection priorities, it is well funded and has a sustainable financial position. But it needs to continue its improvement work to make sure it is getting value for money."
He continues, "We will keep in close contact with the service to monitor its progress and revisit to review its improvement plans."
