His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published its latest State of Fire and Rescue report on 9 May 2024.
Responding to the report, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said:
“This report does not add much to the discussion about the future of the fire and rescue service and the issues it faces.
“Since 2010, we have lost 30% of central government funding, and one in five firefighter jobs have disappeared. Response times are worse than ever. The report has little to say about this.
“It is right to note the urgent need for action on equalities. Yet there is little reflection on the inspectorate’s failure to spot serious instances of discrimination, harassment and bullying in a number of fire and rescue services.
“Andy Cooke is right to recognize the influence of the FBU. As the only democratic voice for the firefighting profession, we have played a leading role in fighting for equality in the fire service for decades.
“We reject any attack on collective bargaining. The National Joint Council already provides a highly successful framework for facilitating agreements on pay, conditions, the role of firefighters and progress on equalities. Mr Cooke fails to acknowledge this work. We have always offered to meet HMICFRS to discuss the role and function of collective bargaining. That offer has not been taken up.
“Instead, the report doggedly pushes an agenda which has little support in the fire and rescue service. Pushing a policing model onto the service, or seeking to combine structures, undermines public trust. Firefighting is a highly skilled, humanitarian profession, and leaders cannot be parachuted in from outside.
“Operational independence for chief fire officers is a dangerous proposition, further undermining vital systems of accountability and democracy for our fire services.
“The HMICFRS could and should have a vital role to play in holding chief fire officers to account for and improving the fire and rescue service. But to do this, it must be truly independent of the Westminster government’s agenda. “We need urgent investment, national standards, and a voice for firefighters.”
