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The fire inspectorate has raised “serious concerns” about Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s culture, rating it as ‘inadequate’ in a report released today.
In the damning report, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) cited examples of Suffolk fire service senior leaders displaying behaviours perceived as hostile and toxic.
Senior leaders are also disinterested in issues raised by staff and demonstrate poor behaviours, such as belittling staff, according to the report.
The report also outlines how wholetime staff make derogatory comments about on-call staff and that the service doesn’t have a positive working culture overall.
Meanwhile, Suffolk fire service is also being let down and held back by its information technology (IT) infrastructure, the report notes.
Inspectors said they were disappointed to discover that the service is aware of IT risks but hasn’t done anything to effectively deal with them. In fact, despite securing an extra £100,000 from the county council to make improvements to its IT infrastructure, it has actually declined since the inspectorate’s last inspection, with staff unable to work effectively or efficiently due to IT issues.
Current service-critical systems have been left unsupported as a result of a change in IT strategy, which staff were not consulted about, the report states.
“I have serious concerns that staff have reported that there isn’t a consistently positive and inclusive culture in the service.
“Senior leaders are also not providing effective strategic oversight of day-to-day operations, too many policies are out of date, and the service isn’t responding promptly to issues raised by managers and the wider workforce.
“The service needs to improve communications between staff and senior leaders and create a safer environment where staff feel more confident in providing feedback to senior leaders.
“While the service does have IT improvement plans, its current IT infrastructure is inefficient and is failing staff. And the service hasn’t made equality, diversity, and inclusion a high enough priority.
“In view of these findings, I have been in regular contact with the chief fire officer, as I don’t underestimate the improvements that are needed. I will keep in close contact with the service to monitor its progress in addressing the cause of concern and associated recommendations.”
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Lee Freeman.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey said he recognised that there is much work to be done, citing the development of an action plan “to drive improvements across all service areas.” He added that the inspection outcomes are “front and centre as a driver for change,” and that it is essential for staff from all areas of the service to be involved in the work going forward “ensuring we are inclusive during the delivery of our improvements.”
Suffolk County Council, where the fire and rescue service is based, said that it proposed to invest £1.6m to deliver the plan.
Download the full Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2023–2025: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service report to find out more.
The HMICFRS report into Suffolk fire service follows the news last week that two Welsh fire services have bullying cultures, as identified by two separate reports.
Updated: 1155 on 11 February.
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