Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority are pleased to receive the fourth report following an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, which was carried out between February and April this year.
This report clearly shows that Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is delivering high-quality services to the communities across all 10 of the judgement areas. HWFRS has been graded ‘Good’ in nine and ‘Adequate’ in only one area. This is an improvement on the previous report in 2023 and majorimprovement from the report published in 2021. This report also shows a significant reduction in the number of Areas for Improvement highlighted by the inspectorate, with only three areas noted.
However, HWFRS will carefully evaluate the entire contents of the report and seek to find all learning which can be taken from the Inspectors report.
HWFRS now aims to maintain and build on the high standards they have set for themselves.
This report highlights many areas of good performance, such as how we protect the public through fire regulation, how we are good at preventing fires and other risks, our response to a wide range of emergency incidents, to how we train and develop and lead people and how we ensure fairness and diversity across the organisation.
Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce KFSM said:
” I am immensely pleased to see that the Inspectorate has recognised the improvements we have made across the Service and the incredible work that all our staff do every day. This report shows how far the Service has come in the last five years and the clearly shows how well the Service performs in delivering high-quality Response, Prevention and Protection services across both counties.
I am pleased to see that the Inspectors rated so highly the performance of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, and this is reflected throughout the report,alongside the significant improvements we have made since their last inspection and from 2021.
This report truly reflects a high quality and high performing Fire and Rescue Service, and how much hard work all our professional staff put into protecting our communities every day.”
Cllr Roger Phillips OBE, Chair for the Fire and Rescue Authority said:
“The Fire Authority is incredibly proud to govern such a high performing Fire and Rescue Service, and we are pleased that His Majesty’s Inspectorate recognises this. The Fire Authority will now work closely with the Chief Fire Officer and his team to draw out all the learning we can from this report and build upon this success.
We would like to thank all the Officers and staff for their hard work and dedication in supporting our communities every day, and it is good to see this is rightly acknowledged by HMICFRS”
HMICFRS Press Release
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service congratulated for strong performance
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has made strong progress in its performance and continues to demonstrate sustained improvement, the fire inspectorate has said.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has graded Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s performance across ten areas and found the service was good in nine areas and adequate in one area.
HMICFRS found the service had made progress against all the areas for improvement identified in its last inspection, with 9 out of 11 of these areas for improvement now closed and only one new area found during this inspection. Inspectors said this progress has been achieved through the work of dedicated staff, effective internal governance and the service’s monitoring processes.
The inspectorate also found the service has developed an effective community risk management plan to identify and mitigate the risks faced by its communities. It has also improved its quality assurance and evaluation processes to enhance its prevention activity, meaning it can have more confidence in the support it provides the public. Inspectors found that the service manages financial challenges well and has also improved how it shared learning from operational incidents.
The inspectorate said that there are still some areas that need more work. For example, the service needs fair and open processes to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Kathryn Stone OBE said:
“I congratulate Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service on its performance in keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.
“We were pleased to see that the service had made progress against all the areas for improvement we found in our last inspection. This progress has been achieved through the work of dedicated staff at all levels.
“The service continues to demonstrate clear and sustained improvement. This is supported by a robust governance structure with stable, self-aware leadership and improved data and intelligence to support decision-making at all levels.
“Overall, I commend the service on the changes it has made and expect it to continue working to resolve the few areas for improvement remaining.”
Notes
- For further information, please contact the HMICFRS Press Office on 0300 071 6781 or HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk.
- The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service 2025–27 inspection will be published at 00.01 Friday 14 August on the HMICFRS website.
- This inspection contains our assessment of the service’s effectiveness and efficiency, and how well it looks after its people. We have measured the service against ten areas and given a grade for each.
- Read more information about the 2025–27 assessment framework for fire and rescue service inspections on our website