Cambridgeshire fire service told to improve knowledge of high building blazes
It follows a recent inspection
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has been praised for keeping people safe, but told it needs to ensure staff know how to tackle blazes in tall buildings.
The service was recently inspected by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
Inspectors particularly praised the service on its use of its finances and planning for the future, but said there were still areas to improve around training, diversity, and fair promotion opportunities.
The service said it is pleased with the overall report and would be taking on board the areas for improvement raised by inspectors.
The service was judged over 11 performance areas, and was rated outstanding in its best use of resources, and good and adequate in areas around preventing fires and responding to emergencies.
Only one area was rated as requires improvement, which was managing performance and developing leaders.
Roy Wilsher, HM Inspector of fire and rescue services, commended the service for its work.
He said: “I am pleased with the performance of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks, but it needs to improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service.
“For example, improvements could be made by diversifying its pool of future and current leaders, consistently managing and developing talent and making sure promotion processes are open, transparent and fair.”
Inspectors said they were “impressed” by the service’s approach to forecasting and risk and resourcing planning, and praised the service for making savings that did not affect its operational performance.
The inspection report said the service’s revenue budget for 2023/24 is £33.7million, which it said was an increase from £31.23million the previous year.
However, inspectors said there needed to be some improvement around training of on-call firefighters.
The report said the service did not make sure on-call staff were familiar with high-risk sites in their areas, including “understanding fires in tall buildings, so they are better prepared to fight fires and carry out rescues safely”.
Inspectors recognised equality, diversity and inclusion were “clear priorities” for the service, highlighting that it had improved its maternity and menopause provisions.