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Avon Fire and Rescue Service removed from enhanced monitoring by HMICFRS
Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS) has been removed from enhanced
monitoring by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue
Services (HMICFRS).
HMICFRS has closed two accelerated causes of concern and one cause of concern relating to risk information, mobilising systems, and culture. As a result of these improvements AF&RS has been returned to the default Scan phase of monitoring after more than two years in the enhanced Engage stage. HMICFRS has published its findings into AF&RS, following their latest 2025-2027 Inspection
“This is an important moment for AF&RS and our communities. I am incredibly proud of the significant work and efforts that have gone into strengthening our service and keeping our communities safe. We welcome the Inspectorate’s report, and their decision to remove us from enhanced monitoring, demonstrating the significant improvements that we have delivered as a service. The inspection provides an important assessment of our progress and helps shape our future priorities. These improvements represent an important shift forwards for our Service in keeping people safe in their homes and in our communities.
“While there is more work to do, I am proud of the significant progress we have made since the last inspection and of the professionalism and dedication our people demonstrate every day. Avon Fire and Rescue Service is an organisation where people are proud to work, and we remain committed to delivering the highest possible standards of service for the communities we serve.
“We recognise that the report highlights areas for further improvement, and we are determined to address them. We provide a service that continues to meet our response standards and one that provides a reliable, effective emergency response across our communities. We continue to take action to make improvements and ensure our resources remain aligned to risk. “We fully recognise the recommendations that have been raised and are already taking steps to strengthen these areas across our service. The inspection provides valuable independent assurance that we are focusing on the right priorities and taking the necessary action to continuously improve.
“While the cause of concern relating to our prevention activities remains open, we continue to invest and make improvements within this area with only one outstanding recommendation remaining. Prevention remains central to our commitment to keep people safe. We are committed to ensuring our prevention activities are appropriately resourced, effective and capable of meeting the needs of our communities, both now and in the future.”
The report highlights a number of positive findings, including the Service’s:
understanding of community and operational risk;
response to major and multi-agency incidents;
strong partnership working locally and across borders;
well-resourced protection function;
support for workforce wellbeing and open communication;
progress in areas such as change management, technology, fleet and estates.
The report also highlights examples of innovation and good practice, including the development of our mental health podcast ‘Ignite the Conversation’, led by firefighters and supported by our communications team, to our engagement with the Gypsy Roma Traveller community.
The inspection also identified areas where further improvement is needed, including strengthening links between strategy and delivery, improving workforce planning and training assurance, increasing prevention capacity, and improving consistency in operational learning and performance.
The Service will now continue to develop and implement its improvement plans in response to the report’s findings and recommendations.
