NYFRS Reacts After HMICFRS's Positive Revisit

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service announced, following a revisit to the Service in September 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has seen that significant steps have been taken in response to the causes of the concerns and has now removed them.

The two Causes of Concern were:

The service doesn't have in place robust processes to ensure transformation activities provide efficiency and effectiveness.

The service doesn't have in place adequate workforce planning processes. This means that areas such as safety-critical training, succession planning, absence and work-time management don't support its current and future integrated risk management plan.

The new Chief Fire Officer and his new leadership team have made significant progress to ensure that appropriate governance arrangements are in place around enabling services, alongside improving data to support improvements in workforce planning processes. The risk and resource model is being delivered, creating efficiencies to benefit the Service and public.

Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said:  “Since I was appointed Chief Fire Office in July 2022, I have been committed to ensuring we make progress to transform the Service and have the appropriate processes in place to monitor and assure what we do.

“We welcome the independent scrutiny from HMICFRS and I am delighted that they have recognised our efforts and have removed the two causes of concern.

“A huge amount of work has gone into making these improvements and I would like to thank everyone from across the Service and enable, who have helped to deliver this progress. As a people centred and progressive Service, we will continue to deliver improvements to ensure we are efficient and effective and delivering the best possible services to our communities.”

North Yorkshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said: “As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, effective oversight of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service represents a key part of my role in serving the public.  Since the causes of concern were issued, I have sought regular assurance from the Chief Fire Officer that necessary improvements were being made to address them.

“I am delighted that the Inspectorate has formally recognised the clear progress the Service has made to address both causes of concern. This process clearly demonstrates the value of independent oversight of critical public services, and I would like to commend the Chief Fire Officer and all those in the Service who have worked so hard at pace, to provide an improved service to our communities.”