Historically following inspections, and when a service is deemed to be ‘failing’ or significantly underperforming, central government has intervened in the service to effect ‘turnaround’. There have been two... [ view full abstract ]
Historically following inspections, and when a service is deemed to be ‘failing’ or significantly underperforming, central government has intervened in the service to effect ‘turnaround’. There have been two intervention process’s affecting Fire and Rescue Services, One under the former Labour Government and one under the Coalition Government. This paper will examine the antecedents and two cases of intervention under each of these two regimes.
The Policing and Crime Act 2017 introduces the most significant change to the governance of the fire and rescue service since 1974. The legislation places all three emergency services under a statutory duty to collaborate where it improves efficiency or effectiveness. It enables police and crime commissioners (PCCs) in England to take over fire and rescue services in their area.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has assessed and reported on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and policing, in the UK since its establishment in 1856. As result of the Act, HMIC (renamed HMICFRS) will take on inspections of England’s fire & rescue services, assessing and reporting on their management effectiveness and leadership. The new Inspectorate is likely to find services that are deemed to be ‘failing’ or significantly underperforming
This paper will critically review existing and previous intervention regimes. It will specifically examine the recent interventions in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, and the previous interventions in Cornwall and Lincolnshire FRS. The paper is intended to inform and make recommendations to the new HMICFRS intervention regime.
Key Words: Police, Fire and Rescue, External Inspection, England.
References:
Home Office 2017 Major expansion of HMIC to take on inspection of fire and rescue in England Press Release 19th July 2017. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-expansion-of-hmic-to-take-on-inspection-of-fire-and-rescue-in-england
