MPs discuss fire service culture and ask if HMICFRS is fit for purpose

The Home Affairs Select Committee has started a new inquiry looking at culture in the fire and rescue service in England. Hearing evidence first from the inspectorate, independent review authors and trade unions, it questioned whether His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services was equipped to influence the pace and type of change required.

The Chair of the committee, Diana Johnson MP, said she was ‘shocked’ when she read recent reports into the culture of fire and rescue services. During the two hour hearing, the committee heard from HMI Andy Cooke who was asked why despite having identified problems with harassment and bullying in its early reports, the pace of change was so slow. Mr Cooke said that it was down to fire service leadership and “a toxic culture formed over many years.” Recognising the lack of diversity in the fire and rescue service, Mr Cooke said that the service was struggling to change its mindset.

Focusing on the report into the culture of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Chair asked why it was possible for the inspectorate to grade the service as Good and yet the independent review carried out by former South Yorkshire chief, Alex Johnson, revealed what the Chair called “shocking behaviours.” The Chair said, “Clearly there was a major problem in this service and you don’t seem to know anything about it.” Mr Cooke responded that they graded it based “on the information that was available at the time.” He said that it was symptomatic of the time where, “staff did not feel comfortable reporting issues to us because they feel they will be targeted by others in their service.”

Nazir Afzal also gave evidence in the first part of this  hearing. He is the author of the report into the culture of London Fire Brigade. He reinforced Mr Cooke’s point about fear of reprisals.

“Independence is key; staff don’t have confidence in the system, including HMICFRS.”

He said that he was approached by staff in other services to review their own organisations and saw that some of those staff ended up approaching the media. He called this the Paul Brand effect, acknowledging the investigative journalism by the ITV reporter who revealed  both the Dorset and Wiltshire problems as well as those more recently in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service that led to Welsh Government to bring in Commissioners to run the service.

In response to a question about whether the inspectorate is capable of inspecting services, Mr Cooke said, “We have turned over stones and been a driver for change, but we can’t make anybody do anything.” The inability of the inspectorate to make services implement the recommendations in its reports came up many times in this part of the evidence hearing. Mr Cooke revealed that some services don’t make the changes in inspection reports but he added, “We are far better at identifying those who don’t and chasing them up.”

Concerns about the willingness of staff to speak up about bullying and harassment were discussed in detail, and Mr Cooke confirmed that 35 fire and rescue services now have confidential reporting lines in place and that is a response to the recommendation in the HMICFRS report on culture and values. Although this example illustrates the point he made many times that some services do not follow up and he has no ability to enforce. “I’m not a regulator, I’m an inspector.”

“I am doing what I can to improve inspection, but I am doing it with one hand behind my back.”

Mr Cooke defended the ability of the inspectorate to influence change in services, citing the inclusion of many previous recommendations in the government’s fire reform white paper. “‘All significant changes have been driven by the inspectorate,” adding that there will be a new thematic report this summer focused on misconduct. Although he said the pace of change is not quick enough and he has previously asked for more powers to ensure changes are actually implemented.

“I’m quite happy to speak out. We won’t shy away from the issues. Fire and rescue services have a long way to go to get public confidence back.”

The committee also heard from Alex Johnson, FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack and Fire and Rescue Services Association CEO Tristan Ashby. A second hearing will take place in a few weeks time.

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