FRS 2018-19 CoC Recommendations: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Cause of concern: The service has insufficient resources to meet its risk-based inspection programme. It is currently not meeting its targets. As a result, partially-skilled operational staff are carrying out high-risk visits, although the service acknowledges these are not audits. There is an absence of quality assurance of audits and visits. There is a low amount of enforcement activity. There is limited proactive engagement with businesses to promote fire safety.

Recommendation: By 31 March 2020, the service should develop and implement a clear strategy for how it will effectively meet its obligations in relation to ensuring compliance with fire safety. This should include ensuring it has appropriately trained resources; a consistent use of enforcement powers and a mechanism to assure itself on the quality of its inspections.

Cause of concern: There is a clear intent from senior officers to improve the culture of the service, and many staff reported improvements under the new chief fire officer. However, more needs to be done. We are concerned to have found evidence of behaviours that are not in line with service values, such as sexism and bullying. Despite being reported, at times these behaviours have not been challenged by managers.

Recommendation: By 31 March 2020, the service should produce an action plan that ensures:It communicates service values to staff effectively, ensuring that they understand and can demonstrate acceptable behaviours at all times; and

Cause of concern: There is a clear intent from senior officers to improve the culture of the service, and many staff reported improvements under the new chief fire officer. However, more needs to be done. We are concerned to have found evidence of behaviours that are not in line with service values, such as sexism and bullying. Despite being reported, at times these behaviours have not been challenged by managers.

Recommendation: By 31 March 2020, the service should produce an action plan that ensures:Managers at all levels demonstrate service values through their positive workplace behaviours and are capable of challenging inappropriate language and behaviour when identified.