His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published its latest assessment of our fire and rescue service.
The report recognises clear progress across our organisation. Of the ten areas inspected, six are now graded Good and four Adequate. The number of areas for improvement has reduced from 26 to eight.
HMICFRS recognised improvements in how we understand local risk, target prevention activity, manage our resources, develop our people, and monitor performance.
Leadership is graded Good, with inspectors recognising stronger communication, clearer accountability and a more evidence-based, performance-led culture. Our Leadership and Behaviour Framework is also highlighted as innovative practice.
What does the result mean for our communities?
The inspection provides independent assurance about the way we plan and deliver work.
The findings recognise that we:
- Use data and local information to understand the risks facing Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes;
- Targets prevention activity towards people and places at greater risk;
- Aligns our people and resources with the priorities in our Community Risk Management Plan;
- Have improved fire engine availability and workforce planning;
- Have strengthened leadership, governance and oversight of performance.
The report also provides a clear and transparent account of where further improvement is needed.
Louise Harrison, Chief Fire Officer, said:
“I am incredibly proud of this report, of everyone across the Service and our stakeholders who have helped us get here. The progress recognised in this report has taken a huge collective effort, and the result has been achieved despite operating in a demanding day-to-day environment, a climate of financial instability, and with significant operational and organisational challenges. The service has asked a great deal of our people…and they have responded.”
“Our communities have always been at the heart of this work. Stronger leadership, better use of data and clearer oversight help us better understand local risks, direct our resources effectively and keep improving the service people receive.”
“This is an important milestone and a result we should be proud of, but it is not the end of our journey. We will be open about where further improvement is needed and maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.”
Councillor Llew Monger, Chair of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said:
“The Fire Authority welcomes this independent recognition of the significant progress made by the Service.”
“These findings provide greater assurance about the way the Service is led, governed and focused on the risks facing our communities. The Authority will continue to provide robust oversight and scrutiny as the Service builds on these results.”
Within the report, Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM said:
“We were pleased to find the service had made progress since our inspection in May–June 2023. For example, it has worked hard to address its causes of concern and areas for improvement, implementing all cause of concern recommendations and addressing all but four of the areas for improvement. Its commitment to establishing a good internal governance model, which provides appropriate, timely and accurate oversight and scrutiny of its performance, has supported this improvement. Its senior leaders have accepted accountability and are now regularly assuring the service’s performance.”
Continuing to improve
HMICFRS has identified eight areas for improvement. These include actions relating to protection, operational risk information, learning from incidents, major incident preparedness, IT project assurance, working hours and the impact of policies on staff with protected characteristics.
Most connect with work already included in our 2026–27 Annual Delivery Plan. We will incorporate the detailed actions into our existing Service and team plans and monitor progress through our established governance and performance arrangements.
Read the [full HMICFRS inspection report].