Kent FRS marks ten years of volunteer response
Kent fire service praised for outstanding public protection
HMICFRS awards outstanding grades to Kent
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has reported that Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) achieved three ‘outstanding’ ratings in its latest inspection.
The results, published on 14 August, assessed effectiveness, efficiency and how the service looks after its people.
According to HMICFRS, KFRS is among the first fire and rescue services in England to be graded ‘outstanding’ for protecting the public through fire regulation.
The other two ‘outstanding’ ratings were for understanding community risk and future financial affordability.
The inspection also recorded five ‘good’ ratings and three ‘adequate’ ratings.
Protecting the public through regulation
Inspectors said KFRS takes appropriate enforcement action against businesses that fail to comply with fire safety legislation.
The report added that the service completes building fire safety audits to a high standard.
It found that KFRS uses a risk-based inspection programme that focuses on the highest-risk buildings in the county.
The inspectorate also highlighted investment in 3D cameras to scan high-risk premises and create digital models.
HMICFRS stated that this technology supports firefighter safety and improves awareness during incidents.
Financial planning and use of resources
The report graded KFRS as ‘outstanding’ for its approach to ensuring future affordability.
HMICFRS said the service makes good use of public money.
It added that detailed project planning and monitoring are used to maintain value for money.
Inspectors noted that KFRS plans for financial challenges and invests in innovative practices.
The service was commended for integrating technology into operational planning.
Performance in other areas
KFRS was graded ‘good’ for responding to major and multi-agency incidents.
Inspectors praised its collaborative work with partners and across the organisation.
The report also stated that the service promotes the right values and culture, with a positive working environment.
Three areas were graded ‘adequate’, including on-call fire engine availability.
HMICFRS recommended more robust quality assurance for prevention activity such as home fire safety visits.
It also advised improvements to promotion and recruitment processes.
Statements from leadership
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Roy Wilsher said: “I congratulate Kent Fire and Rescue Service on its performance in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.
“I was particularly pleased to see that the service has maintained its high performance in some areas since our last inspection, and made progress in others.
“For example, the service has improved how it protects the public through fire regulation and maintained its outstanding performance in understanding risk and managing future affordability of the service.
“However, further changes are needed in some areas. It should improve the availability of its on-call crewed fire engines to respond to incidents and it needs to quality assure prevention activity more robustly, as well as manage promotion and recruitment processes better.
“I commend the service on its strong performance. We have highlighted some areas for improvement and look forward to seeing the service make progress in these areas.”
KFRS Chief Executive Ann Millington said: “I’m incredibly proud of this independent inspection, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by our fantastic teams, who are all committed to helping people across the county to stay safe.
“As always, we recognise the importance of consistently reviewing and adapting our services to ensure we’re meeting the ever-changing needs of the people we serve.
“We know there’s more we can do, and we will continue to look at new and innovative ways we can deliver a service to the people of Kent and Medway expect and deserve.”
Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman Brian Black said: “I’m extremely pleased KFRS has been recognised as one of the country’s top performing fire services following its most recent inspection by HMICFRS.
“This comes as a result of hard work and dedication from the team across Kent and Medway, who together help save lives and deliver a fire and rescue service to be proud of.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The inspection demonstrates how targeted enforcement and risk-based planning can deliver high inspection ratings.
It also shows the operational benefits of using technology such as 3D site mapping.
The report provides examples of how detailed financial planning supports both current service delivery and future resilience.
Fire and safety professionals can draw on these findings when reviewing their own regulatory, operational and financial strategies.
Kent fire service praised for outstanding public protection: Summary
HMICFRS reported that Kent Fire and Rescue Service achieved three ‘outstanding’ ratings in its 2023–2025 inspection.
The service was rated ‘outstanding’ for protecting the public through fire regulation, understanding risk and future affordability.
It received ‘good’ grades in five areas and ‘adequate’ in three.
The inspection recognised enforcement work against non-compliant businesses and high-quality fire safety audits.
KFRS uses 3D cameras to assess and model high-risk premises.
HMICFRS recommended improving on-call fire engine availability and prevention quality assurance.
The report commended detailed project planning and collaboration with partners.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it would continue adapting to meet community needs.
New rope rescue vehicle supports Kent firefighters’ response
Kent firefighters deploy new rescue vehicle
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has added a new rescue vehicle to support its technical rope rescue operations across Kent and Medway.
According to KFRS, the unit responds to incidents involving rescues from height, depth, and complex lifting situations.
The new vehicle, based on an Iveco 4×4 chassis cab, replaces a previous Land Rover that had limited capacity.
The Land Rover required a second vehicle to transport all crew members and equipment, limiting efficiency during mobilisations.
KFRS stated that the new vehicle allows full crew transport and improved storage.
Crew input shapes vehicle configuration
KFRS said the vehicle was designed and built by Angloco, a UK-based manufacturer, with direct input from Kent firefighters.
The service explained that operational staff visited Angloco’s facility during the build process to influence layout and equipment access.
According to KFRS, the result is a vehicle configured specifically to meet the needs of technical rope rescue deployments.
The new cab includes a second row of seating, which the service said allows for full crew transport in one vehicle.
KFRS stated that this upgrade allows for greater flexibility in mobilisation and improves incident readiness.
Existing challenges with previous vehicle
Before the arrival of the new vehicle, the rope rescue team operated with a Land Rover.
KFRS said this limited unit lacked sufficient space for both personnel and equipment.
The service explained that a secondary vehicle was required to transport additional crew members and tools.
According to KFRS, this arrangement restricted rapid deployment and added logistical complexity during emergencies.
The new vehicle was introduced to resolve these specific operational limitations.
Service comments on collaborative build process
Jack Keogh, Workshop and Maintenance Manager at KFRS, said: “This new vehicle for the line rescue unit demonstrates KFRS’ ongoing commitment to the development of our specialist capabilities to help keep people safe.
“And, working closely with the manufacturer and including our crew’s firefighting insights has led to this vehicle’s precise design, making us all the more able to respond to emergencies across the county.”
Technical rescue capabilities in Kent
KFRS’s technical rope rescue team provides specialist support for incidents that cannot be addressed using conventional means.
The team handles complex situations where trained personnel are required to access difficult locations.
KFRS said that these can include cliff rescues, lifting casualties from confined spaces, or accessing infrastructure at height.
The new vehicle will support these operations by improving the speed and coordination of team deployment.
Further details on the specialist rescue teams are available on the KFRS website.
New rope rescue vehicle supports Kent response: Summary
Kent Fire and Rescue Service has introduced a new rescue vehicle for its technical rope rescue team.
The team operates across Kent and Medway.
The vehicle is based on an Iveco 4×4 chassis cab.
It was designed and built by Angloco.
KFRS firefighters contributed to its design.
The new cab allows full crew transport.
It replaces a smaller Land Rover unit.
The Land Rover required a second support vehicle.
KFRS said the upgrade supports faster, more flexible deployments.
Jack Keogh of KFRS praised the collaborative design process.
The vehicle is intended for rescues from height, depth and confined spaces.
KFRS said the update strengthens its specialist rescue capabilities.
Kent FRS and Bristol Uniforms partner up to deliver PPE Framework benefits
Thirty-three Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), comprising over 33,500 firefighters, are now benefiting from the Local Authority Collaborative PPE Framework. Launched three years ago in June 2017, the Framework gives UK FRSs access to high quality PPE ensembles and volume discounts through a streamlined procurement process. The Framework was set up in response to calls from government and the industry for FRSs to work together to share best practice and deliver efficiencies.
It is run by Kent FRS, with PPE supplied by Bristol Uniforms, who was selected as the preferred supplier following a rigorous two-year tender process. Signing up via a purchase only or fully managed service contract, FRSs continue to reap the benefits of the Framework, which guarantees quality PPE that has been independently evaluated and tested, and can save considerable time and costs.
Utilising the latest technology
So far this year through the Framework, Bristol has delivered new PPE to seven FRSs, including Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who opted for a Fully Managed Services Contract. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, they were measured and received their kit on 1 June.
The safety of our firefighters is of the utmost importance to us here in Oxfordshire”
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “Bristol Uniforms uses the latest technology in firefighter clothing, and they design PPE to provide fire crews with the very best protection. The safety of our firefighters is of the utmost importance to us here in Oxfordshire. The kit is lighter in weight, breathable and offers more support for the wearer and we are proud to know we are now one of many fire and rescue services in the country to utilise this latest technology in protective clothing for our staff. Thank you to Bristol Uniforms for providing us with a first-class service.”
Fire And Rescue Service
Chris Colgan, Director of Operations at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, and Chair of the NFCC PPE/Clothing Committee, said: “The National Collaborative PPE Framework is the first of its kind for the fire and rescue service, enabling borderless provision of standardised critical kit.”
“So far, working with the team at Bristol Uniforms, we have made significant progress in demonstrating that the sector can work as one customer. However, more can be done. The pandemic has shown us that it is not an impossible target to expect all FRS to sign up to national arrangements delivered through the National Fire Commercial Transformation Programme and we are committed to continuing to build on the success of this arrangement.”
Working partnership
The selected styles combine innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres.
“Bristol Uniforms has done a sterling job ensuring service continuity for all FRS throughout the disruptions caused by COVID-19, working closely with the contract management team at Kent FRS on behalf of the Sector. This has been one of the greatest tests of strategic relationship and service management and I am incredibly pleased that the result has been a real proof of concept.”
Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director at Bristol Uniforms said: “The demand for our cutting-edge PPE through the Collaborative Framework has been unprecedented as FRSs learn about the benefits of joint working. The Framework has significantly improved and simplified the procurement process and despite very challenging circumstances, we continue to size firefighters for their new kit, manufacture and deliver it on time and to budget.”
High-Performance Fabrics
PPE supplied by Bristol Uniforms within the Framework includes Full Structural Ensemble, a Layered Jacket, Rescue Jacket and USAR Ensemble. The selected styles combine innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres, offering maximum comfort, manoeuvrability and protection.