London Fire Brigade has made improvements and has therefore been removed from an enhanced level of monitoring by the fire inspectorate. 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.
Several improvements
London Fire Brigade was moved into Engage in December 2022. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services has decided to remove the London Fire Brigade from Engage, because it has made several improvements, including:
- Clear involvement of staff in developing values, with significant work to communicate values to staff;
- Most staff spoken to felt senior pioneers displayed brigade values;
- Clear commitment to improving leadership skills among managers through an ongoing program of leadership training;
- Clear progress in the brigade’s ongoing plan to improve its human resources function;
- Improved processes to deal with behaviors such as bullying and discrimination, including establishing a Professional Standards Unit;
- A comprehensive plan in place to improve the vetting of brigade staff; and
- Assurance in the sustainability of the brigade’s plans to change its culture.
Enhanced level of monitoring
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services, Andy Cooke, said: “I am pleased with the progress that London Fire Brigade has made so far. While there is still more to do, I have decided to remove the brigade from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring."
He adds, “I am reassured by the plans London Fire Brigade has in place to continue making improvements. The brigade will be inspected again this summer when we will assess its progress to make sure the people of London are getting the service they deserve from their fire and rescue service.”
