HMICFRS report details progress and persistent issues in state of fire and rescue 2024–25
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has said that England’s fire and rescue services are improving but are being held back by unresolved issues in leadership, culture and reform.
The findings were published on Wednesday 5 November 2025 in the report State of Fire and Rescue: The Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2024–25.
It is Sir Andy Cooke’s third annual assessment under section 28B of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, and his first since the new Government took office in July 2024.
The report is based on inspection results from February 2023 to August 2025 and gives an overall view of the effectiveness and efficiency of services across England.
Speaking at the annual Chiefs and Chairs event hosted by HMICFRS, Sir Andy told attendees including Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy Samantha Dixon that the Government must now “increase the momentum behind long-awaited reform.”
Read: IFSJ breaks down State of Fire and Rescue: The Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2024–25.
Inspector praises gains in productivity and protection
Sir Andy welcomed improvements in protection departments and said that most services were giving greater attention to workforce wellbeing and productivity.
He also noted continued progress in how the sector is responding to the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
However, he said that services must do more to develop positive organisational cultures and strengthen leadership at all levels.
HMICFRS highlighted that recruitment and retention difficulties remain among protection staff, affecting their capacity to manage competing demands.
Sir Andy said the most effective services are those that have invested in technology and modern governance systems to improve efficiency.
Reform and accountability remain priorities
Sir Andy called on ministers to be “decisive” and to deliver on their commitments to sector reform.
He said the Government should consider giving HMICFRS greater powers to ensure accountability within fire and rescue services.
The report also repeated seven national recommendations made in previous years, several of which remain outstanding.
These include clarifying the roles of fire and rescue services and staff, reforming pay and conditions, and granting chief fire officers operational independence.
Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, said: “Fire and rescue services have a crucial role in protecting the public and making communities safe. Every day, staff show unwavering dedication and professionalism.
“It was encouraging to see improvements made in our latest round of inspections, particularly the progress made in protection departments and the focus on improving productivity.
“However, persistent issues remain in some areas, such as values, culture and behaviour, and leadership. Until our outstanding recommendations are addressed in full, the sector won’t be able to give the best service to the public.
“Now is a valuable opportunity to refocus efforts and advance reform across the fire and rescue sector, including extending our powers and establishing a College of Fire and Rescue.
“Reform will be vital to create a consistent, professional and accountable fire and rescue service the public expects and deserves.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
This annual assessment is directly relevant to senior officers, chief fire officers, and governance bodies within fire and rescue services in England.
It provides an overview of inspection findings that influence leadership expectations, operational priorities, and resource planning across services.
For local authority fire and rescue services, the call for clearer operational independence and reform of pay and conditions could shape future workforce management and organisational structure.
Procurement and technology managers may note the emphasis on investment in IT and governance systems as indicators of higher service performance.
Policy and standards teams will also find the inspector’s renewed focus on accountability and culture useful in understanding where national reform may next be directed.