Area for improvement A1
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should consider whether it should revisit those people most at risk.
HMICFRS
Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2023–2025: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
Published 23 May 2025
Fire & Rescue Inspection
34 areas for improvement
Report on the HMICFRS site ↗ Browse HMICFRS reports
The organisations covered are not linked in this record. Check the original report for its scope and addressees.
Areas for improvement 34
Area for improvement A2
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should have a clear process to follow up formal notices that have been served and make sure staff understand it.
Area for improvement A3
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should consider whether it can complete more fire safety audits.
Area for improvement A4
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should assure itself that its resources (including fire engines) are being used efficiently and effectively to meet the priorities in its community risk management plan.
Area for improvement A5
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure it effectively monitors, reviews and evaluates the benefits and outcomes of any collaboration activity.
Area for improvement A6
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to use its resources more efficiently and effectively
Area for improvement A7
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should do more to make sure its workforce is as productive as possible.
Area for improvement A8
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to do more to monitor, review and evaluate the benefits and results of its collaborations.
Area for improvement A9
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should be aware of, and invest in, developments in technology and future innovation to help improve and sustain operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Area for improvement A10
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure it has the right skills and capacity to successfully manage change across the organisation.
Area for improvement A11
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to manage change more effectively
Area for improvement A12
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure that its values and behaviours are understood and demonstrated at all levels of the organisation.
Area for improvement A13
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure that staff are trained and supported to identify and challenge inappropriate behaviour when identified and that they have clear mechanisms in place to raise their concerns.
Area for improvement A14
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should evaluate its initiatives that have been introduced to improve the culture of the organisation to make sure they are having the intended impact.
Area for improvement A15
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should assure itself that any staff concerns are responded to and acted upon, particularly in health and safety.
Area for improvement A16
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should proactively monitor working hours to make sure staff (including those on dual and secondary contracts) don’t work excessive hours.
Area for improvement A17
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should consider what more it can do to continue to work with all parts of its workforce to build trust and confidence.
Area for improvement A18
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should improve how it manages health and safety
Area for improvement A19
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to do more to monitor staff with dual contracts
Area for improvement A20
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure it has a workforce plan that takes full account of the necessary skills and capabilities to carry out the community risk management plan.
Area for improvement A21
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure it has an effective, accurate and accessible system to record and monitor the training and skills of its operational staff.
Area for improvement A22
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure that it has effective grievance procedures.
Area for improvement A23
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should improve staff understanding of the purpose and benefits of positive action.
Area for improvement A24
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure it has robust processes in place to carry out equality impact assessments and review any actions agreed as a result.
Area for improvement A25
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should seek and act on feedback received
Area for improvement A26
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to do more work to build trust and confidence between senior leaders and the workforce.
Area for improvement A27
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to improve its approach to EDI.
Area for improvement A28
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should improve all staff understanding and application of the performance development review process.
Area for improvement A29
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should make sure its selection, development and promotion of staff is open and fair, and that feedback is available to staff.
Area for improvement A30
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should put in place an open and fair process to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders.
Area for improvement A31
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to do more to make sure its promotion and progression processes are fair.
Area for improvement A32
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should aim to diversify the pool of future leaders
Area for improvement A33
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service needs to improve the way it actively manages the career pathways of staff, including those with specialist skills and those with potential for leadership roles.
Area for improvement A34
Status: Open
Area for improvement (HMICFRS's words)The service should consider putting in place more formal arrangements to identify and support members of staff to become senior leaders.