Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been commended for its emergency response capabilities in a new inspection report released today by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), but also warned over shortcomings in prevention work.
The report, based on an inspection conducted in late 2024, highlights strong performance in core emergency duties, such as responding to 999 calls, major incidents, and understanding risk within communities.
However, inspectors raised a new cause of concern regarding the Service’s backlog in home fire safety visits, citing delays driven by post-pandemic recovery, ICT issues, and staffing gaps. The report notes the Service had already recognised and begun addressing these challenges ahead of the inspection.
Previous Cultural Concerns Removed
A major improvement from past reviews was the removal of a prior cause of concern related to internal culture. Inspectors acknowledged “hard work over the last three years” to enhance workplace environment and improve whistleblowing processes. Still, the report encourages further effort to ensure a consistently supportive culture throughout the organisation.
Chief Fire Officer: ‘Great Foundation to Keep Improving’
Chief Fire Officer Gavin Ellis welcomed the report, stating:
“It’s great to see our emergency response praised. It’s important for us that when people call 999, they get a good Service.
We’re pleased that our work to improve culture across the organisation has been recognised… but we know we still have more to do.”
On the issue of prevention, Ellis acknowledged the Inspectorate’s concerns but confirmed that targeted reforms are already in progress.
“Preventing emergencies is a huge focus for us. The recommendations made are process-related, and we’ve already taken steps to better target and evaluate our prevention work.”
The Service highlighted that 85% of its referrals from partner agencies involve individuals deemed high or very high risk, reflecting efforts to prioritise those most vulnerable.
Grading Structure Changes
This inspection also reflects a new HMICFRS grading framework, introducing an “adequate” category that may have impacted comparative ratings across certain areas.
Key Points from the Report:
- Emergency response graded positively
- Cultural improvements acknowledged; previous concerns removed
- Prevention backlog leads to new cause of concern
- Ongoing reforms already underway
- 85% of partner referrals involve high-risk individuals
The Service said it remains committed to building on its progress and ensuring the safety of communities across Devon and Somerset.
