West Midlands Fire Service receives mixed grades in latest inspection
HMICFRS has released its latest inspection reports assessing the performance of three fire and rescue services in England.
The reports, published on 18 June 2025, cover West Midlands Fire Service, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
West Midlands Fire Service was graded as ‘good’ in four areas, ‘adequate’ in four, and ‘requires improvement’ in three.
HMICFRS said the service maintained strong emergency response standards, with consistent achievement of its five-minute response target and effective collaboration during major incidents.
It noted that the service had implemented a dynamic, risk-based inspection programme.
However, inspectors raised concerns regarding training, organisational learning and financial oversight.
The inspectorate said the service must improve its approach to risk-critical training and workforce development.
It added that financial planning lacked robust forecasting and scrutiny mechanisms.
His Majesty’s Inspector Lee Freeman said: “I am pleased with the performance of West Midlands Fire Service and the positive and constructive way in which staff worked with us.
“It must improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service.
“For example, it needs to make sure its financial assumptions and plans are robust and scrutinised, so they support a sustainable future.”
East Sussex Fire and Rescue praised for inclusivity, urged to improve prevention
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was assessed as ‘good’ in six categories, ‘adequate’ in four, and ‘requires improvement’ in one.
According to HMICFRS, the service demonstrated progress in risk identification through improved partnerships and use of data to locate high-risk individuals and premises.
Inspectors also recognised its establishment of a public advisory group and focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.
The inspectorate stated that these changes had strengthened the service’s engagement and planning.
However, it found that prevention efforts needed more focus.
HMICFRS said the timeliness and reach of home fire safety visits should be improved.
It also noted that reliance on paper-based systems was hindering effective incident management, particularly for high-rise incidents.
His Majesty’s Inspector Roy Wilsher said: “It was positive to see that the service has made progress since our previous inspection.
“However, the service needs to improve in other areas to provide a consistently good service.
“For example, by making sure it offers effective prevention activities to its communities.”
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue strengthens leadership but lacks major incident readiness
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received ‘good’ grades in six categories and ‘adequate’ in five.
HMICFRS stated that the service had improved productivity using data dashboards and strategic resource planning.
It reported that financial management had enabled savings without reducing service capability.
Inspectors also noted successful partnerships with universities and leadership training programmes designed to shift organisational culture.
Despite these gains, the inspectorate found that many staff lacked confidence in handling major incidents.
Concerns were raised about preparedness for high-rise fires and marauding terrorist attacks.
The report also recommended improvements in how dual contracts are managed to ensure rest and fitness for duty.
His Majesty’s Inspector Michelle Skeer said: “The service has embraced change and made significant progress since our last inspection in 2022.
“I would like to commend the strategic leadership team and all staff across the service for their willingness to change and their continued commitment to improvement.”
Inspection framework and grading criteria applied consistently across services
HMICFRS applied the same 11-category assessment framework to all three services.
Grades ranged from ‘good’, meaning the service met expected standards, to ‘adequate’ and ‘requires improvement’, which highlight areas needing focused development.
The framework covers topics including effectiveness, efficiency, and people management.
Reports are part of the inspectorate’s rolling inspection programme under its statutory remit.
According to HMICFRS, findings are intended to help services identify gaps and prioritise reforms.
The inspectorate explained that consistency of application across regions is key to driving national improvement.
Each report includes tailored recommendations for leadership teams to address.
Financial oversight and staff readiness emerge as common concerns
Across all three services, HMICFRS identified areas for improvement in financial governance and workforce preparedness.
West Midlands Fire Service was advised to strengthen financial forecasting and scrutiny practices.
East Sussex was encouraged to modernise its data and communication systems.
North Yorkshire was told to improve staff readiness for complex and large-scale incidents.
Inspectors noted that while operational performance was generally stable, sustaining improvement requires better resource alignment.
The reports indicate a shared need for improved internal learning systems and long-term planning.
Each service has been given specific actions to address these concerns in the coming months.
HMICFRS reports assess English fire services’ operational readiness: Summary
HMICFRS published inspection reports on 18 June 2025 assessing three English fire services.
West Midlands Fire Service received ‘good’ grades in four categories, ‘adequate’ in four and ‘requires improvement’ in three.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service received ‘good’ in six categories, ‘adequate’ in four and ‘requires improvement’ in one.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received six ‘good’ and five ‘adequate’ ratings, with no areas requiring improvement.
HMICFRS commended West Midlands for emergency response and risk-based inspections.
The service was criticised for gaps in training, financial planning and workforce development.
East Sussex was praised for data use and inclusion.
It was advised to improve prevention activities and upgrade paper-based systems.
North Yorkshire improved productivity and culture.
It was advised to strengthen staff readiness for major incidents.
All services were assessed using HMICFRS’s 11-category framework.
Common issues included financial oversight and preparedness for complex incidents.