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18
Jun
Fire service must improve preparedness for terrorist attacks, inspectors find
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service must improve its preparedness for a major incident such as a terrorist attack, inspectors have found.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services made the finding following an inspection into the service’s effectiveness and efficiency in January this year.
Inspectors assessed the service in 11 areas. It found the service was ‘good’ in six areas and ‘adequate’ in five areas.
The report, which was published today (June 18), found the service was rated 'good' in areas such as preventing fire and risk, responding to fires and emergencies and best use of resources.
However, it was rated 'adequate' in future affordability, public safety through fire regulation and responding to major incidents.
Michelle Skeer, His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, said:
I am pleased with the performance of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks. The service is a mainly rural service, covering the largest county in England.
The service has embraced change and made significant progress since our last inspection in 2022. For example, it is making improvements to modernise and update processes and procedures across the organisation. To achieve this, it has made organisational change with minimal financial impact, using a ‘save to invest’ approach.
I would like to commend the strategic leadership team and all staff across the service for their willingness to change and their continued commitment to improvement.
Responding to major incidents
The report found that the service had made 'significant progress' since its last inspection in 2022.
It found that the service had improved how it reviews and allocates resources to risk and that it has regular reviews to consider its expenditure, which helps to makes sure it gets value for money.
However, it also found that the service needs to improve its preparedness for a major incident such as a terrorist attack.
Inspectors said:
Staff at most levels of the organisation said they wouldn’t feel confident when responding to incidents such as marauding terrorist attacks. The service needs to assure itself staff have the knowledge and understanding of this type of incident and it needs to provide operational training in high-rise buildings so it can respond effectively.
In response to the report, Jonathan Dyson, chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
I am delighted that HMICFRS has recognised the significant efforts made by our service and I thank Michelle Skeer for her comments. These results are a testament to the hard work, professionalism and dedication of our staff across the service.
The improvements, made since our previous inspection in 2022, reflect our ambition to continually improve and the efforts of our teams; particularly as we’ve delivered these results within a very challenging financial environment.
The investment we received in April this year (from council tax), after the Inspection, will enable us to continue to build on our achievements and drive sustainable progress with investment in support services, estates, equipment, firefighter safety and training.
We’re already making headway on improvements in the areas where we have received ‘adequate’ gradings to further ensure we are a high quality and community focused service protecting those most at risk and vulnerable within our communities.
Meanwhile, David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said the report showed that the service had taken "bold steps to improve".
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