Hertfordshire fire service rated inadequate in fire prevention
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services says Hertfordshire's fire service is failing to identify and protect those most at risk and must take urgent action
A watchdog has raised serious concerns about the way Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service prevents fires and protects vulnerable people from risk. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded the service as ‘inadequate’ in this area, the lowest possible rating.
An inspection found that the service does not have a clear strategy for identifying those most at risk and ensuring they receive fire safety checks. Inspectors noted that in the year 2023/24, less than half of the 9,925 home fire safety visits carried out were with individuals identified as vulnerable or at risk. This is significantly lower than the national average.
“We have serious concerns about the service’s ability to effectively identify and protect those most at risk from fire,” an HMICFRS spokesperson said. “Prevention activity isn’t a sufficiently high priority, and the service must implement a robust and consistent method of assessing risk and vulnerability.”
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, Lee Freeman, commented on the inspection findings:
“It was a pleasure to revisit Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and I am grateful for the positive and constructive way in which the service engaged with our inspection staff.
“I am satisfied with some areas of the performance of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, which has made progress since our 2022 inspection. For example, it has fixed the issue with risk information being accessible to crews and is working to improve its culture.
“But I have serious concerns about how effective the service is at preventing fires and other risks, which I issued as an accelerated cause of concern in October 2024. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“The service must also establish a robust workforce plan to make sure skills gaps are identified and necessary recruitment and promotion processes can be planned. It should also make sure that staff are being productive and time is spent effectively.
“In view of these findings, in particular the service’s prevention processes, I have been in regular contact with the chief fire officer and I do not underestimate how much improvement is needed.
“I will continue to work with the service to address areas for improvement and revisit the service to review the progress made.”
In October 2024, HMICFRS issued an accelerated cause of concern, requiring urgent action. It has now set a deadline of 28 days for the service to produce an action plan. The plan must include a strategy for prioritising those most at risk, a system for defining community risk levels, and clear timeframes for completing fire safety checks.
Inspectors found that firefighters were often focused on achieving numerical targets rather than ensuring those in greatest need received help. The service’s triage system for assessing risk was also criticised for being inconsistent and relying too heavily on individual judgement.
The report also raised concerns about a lack of follow-up after fire safety visits and an absence of quality assurance processes. “There is no evidence that the service is checking whether people feel safer after receiving advice,” the report said.
Despite these issues, staff told inspectors they felt confident in carrying out home fire safety visits and raising safeguarding concerns. “We found that staff are trained and competent, but they would welcome more face-to-face training and support,” the report stated.
The watchdog also acknowledged examples of good partnership working, such as automatic referrals for council tenants in some housing schemes. However, it said the service was not consistently sharing risk information with other organisations and lacked a clear system for responding to referrals.
While the service has an arson reduction team and a juvenile fire-setter intervention programme, the report found that its overall prevention work is not being properly evaluated. HMICFRS has previously highlighted this issue, but it remains unresolved.
The service must now take urgent action to address the failings identified in the report. HMICFRS has warned that if sufficient progress is not made, further intervention may be required.
Hertfordshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Alex Woodman, welcomed the report’s recognition of improvements but acknowledged that more work is needed. “Our Service is on a journey to becoming outstanding. This report highlights areas where there’s more work to be done as part of our commitment to providing the best service to the public.”
Woodman noted that the service had already acted on HMICFRS recommendations, implementing a new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) to better protect people and save lives. He also reiterated the service’s zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour and commitment to a fair and inclusive workplace.
Councillor Morris Bright MBE, Executive Member for Public Health & Community Safety, said: “This report is evidence of the progress and steady improvements that Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue is making, not only for those working in the Service but for the communities we serve.” He added that while there is more to be done, the service has his full support in making the necessary improvements.
While the service has an arson reduction team and a juvenile fire-setter intervention programme, the report found that its overall prevention work is not being properly evaluated. HMICFRS has previously highlighted this issue, but it remains unresolved.
The service must now take urgent action to address the failings identified in the report. HMICFRS has warned that if sufficient progress is not made, further intervention may be required.