Fire prevention under-prioritised, inspectors say

A fire service has been told it must do more to promote fire safety and assess risks in some buildings, say inspectors.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) was told in the latest report by inspectors that it required improvement in six areas and was adequate in four.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found prevention remained an area that was under-prioritised, despite issuing a cause of concern in the last inspection in 2023.

Chief fire officer Matt Cook from the service, which has since been removed from enhanced monitoring after making improvements, said while there is more work to do he is "proud of the significant progress" made.

"We fully recognise the recommendations that have been raised and are already taking steps to strengthen these areas across our service," Cook added.

"While the cause of concern relating to our prevention activities remains open, we continue to invest and make improvements."

The report highlighted examples of innovation and good practice, including improvements in culture and engagement with the Gypsy Roma Traveller community.

Inspectors also found AFRS had not submitted a finance data return leaving inspectors with "reduced assurance that public money is being used as efficiently as possible".

It also noted it still needed to improve how it prioritises home fire safety visits (HFSVs) based on risk; that HFSVs were arranged based on staff's availability as opposed to risk.

Inspector Kathryn Stone said she was satisfied with some aspects of the service's performance in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

However, there it needed to improve its prevention function, how it oversees and monitors enforcement activity, oversight and scrutiny across all its functions and empower and upskill its managers to effectively manage performance.

The report rated the service as requires improvement in:

• Preventing fires and other risks.
• Protecting the public through fire regulation.
• Responding to fires and other emergencies.
• Making best use of resources to provide and efficient and affordable service.
• Training and developing the right people with the right skills
• Ensuring fairness and diversity

The report rated the service as adequate in:

• Understanding the risk of fire and other emergencies.
• Responding to major and multi-agency incidents.
• Promoting, embedding and improving values and culture.
• Leading people effectively.

Stone added: "The service still has more work to do across all areas; however, there is a clear positive direction of travel."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.