Fire Service Ordered To Make Improvements

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has been told to make improvements including how it looks after staff.

Inspectors accessed its performance across eleven areas and a report published today rates four as ‘requires improvement’, one as ‘adequate’ and six as ‘good’.

Despite the areas of concern, the service was rated good at keeping people safe from fire and other risks.

The service says it accepts the findings and several ‘significant improvements’ have been made since the inspection, while the Fire Brigades’Union says it must act as ‘a wake-up call’.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said that the service is well-prepared for responding to major and multi-agency incidents, is meeting its revised response times and has improved its overall approach in effectiveness.

However, the inspectorate heard examples of senior leaders not acknowledging issues being raised by support staff and inspectors were told about several examples of poor behaviour demonstrated by leaders.

It said some staff lacked confidence in the fairness of bullying, harassment and discrimination processes, and they said that they didn’t report concerns due to a fear of repercussions.

Inspectors also said that worryingly, a high proportion of more recent support staff absences were due to stress. Some staff said that they felt the high level of sickness among support staff was due to poor mental health, high workloads and conflict with senior leaders’ leadership styles.

HMICFRS said that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) must become a higher priority for the service.

Chief Fire Officer Callum said: “I am pleased that the inspection team has recognised our strong and consistent performance in delivering prevention, protection and response activities for our community as “good”. It is important to us that their report recognises that the safety of our local communities is paramount.

“However, the report also fairly identifies some aspects of our performance where we need to improve. We recognise and accept the need for better strategic oversight in managing financial risks and improving transparency in reporting financial information. Additionally, the wellbeing of our staff is of paramount importance,  we must prioritise equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and ensure that senior leaders act as positive role models and always demonstrate commitment to our service values.

“Since the inspection we have already made several significant improve development, Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Communications and engagement teams all now driving forward under new leadership and already addressing the areas identified, and I am confident that this will be recognised in our next inspection. We will ensure this will be achieved without losing our primary focus on all the key public safety areas identified as “good”.

“I feel that it should be noted that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is one of the lowest funded Fire and Rescue Services in the country, and that despite receiving some gradings that are lower than we would wish, our Service is still above the national average, especially in terms of what our local communities can expect from us.”

“We will continue to monitor our progress and engage with HMICFRS to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible service to the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, ensuring that our communities are as safe as they can be.”

Market Harborough Fire Station

Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for the East Midlands, said: “This report corroborates the experiences of FBU reps in Leicestershire. They have been on the front line of representing members who have been subjected to bullying, harassment and discrimination.

“It sets out serious issues of misogyny, disrespect and bullying by some senior managers, and highlights a toxic environment in which firefighters and other staff are scared to even come forward with complaints.

“Leicestershire fire and rescue service has not taken equalities seriously enough – failing to adequately monitor data on employees, failing to prioritise equal opportunities, and failing to create an environment in which issues can be reported.

“This report must act as a wake-up call.”