Cornwall Fire Service: Inspectors find cause for concern

A cause for concern has been highlighted at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service by official inspectors.

In September, the service was asked by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to show how it planned to prioritize the provision of gender-appropriate facilities for staff across all service units.

The service was believed to have completed “a range of tasks” to improve facilities but had not developed interim arrangements for welfare facilities at two stations, inspectors said.

The fire service said HMICFRS recognized the “good progress” it had made and would “continue to work with inspectors”.

HMICFRS said the plan should include arrangements for funding and a realistic timeframe for implementation.

However, the fire service has secured £1.3 million more in capital funding from Cornwall Council to support the planned improvements, the inspector added.

In a letter to the fire service, HMICFRS said that despite good progress on the recommendations, there was still work to be done.

It said: “While the action plan is comprehensive, we cannot determine how effective it will be in addressing the recommendation to provide adequate, gender-appropriate facilities for staff in all service units.

“We will return to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service at a date to be agreed in the near future.

“We will assess whether the service has made satisfactory progress with its action plan.”

Inspectors said an action plan was supported by detailed work setting out how the service plans to address the recommendations, including:

Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Billing said: “I am delighted that HMICFRS have recognized the good progress we have already made against their recommendations and that they are happy with the action plan we have in place to address any remaining issues.

“We will continue to work with inspectors to ensure we meet all recommendations in the near future.”