New inspection reveals improvements at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue
It's been upgraded to 'Good' in several areas - with progress in how it understands and prevents risk
A new inspection has revealed progress at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue in terms of how it understands local risks, targets prevention work and responds to emergencies.
The service now has six 'Good' ratings, but there's still eight areas that need improving - including learning from incidents and being prepared for major incidents.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) assessed the Service across ten areas. Six have been graded Good and four Adequate, with no Causes of Concern.
The number of areas for improvement has reduced from 26 to eight. Several areas have moved from Requires Improvement to Good in a single inspection cycle, while protection has improved from Inadequate to Adequate.
The eight areas for improvement include actions relating to protection, operational risk information, learning from incidents, major incident preparedness, IT project assurance, working hours and the impact of policies on staff with protected characteristics.
The service says most of these areas connect with work already included in its 2026–27 Annual Delivery Plan - and it will incorporate the detailed actions into its existing plans and oversee progress through its performance and governance arrangements.
Inspectors recognised progress in how the Service understands and prevents risk, plans, and uses its resources, develops its people, and provides effective leadership.
The report also highlights the Service’s Leadership and Behaviour Framework as innovative practice. HMICFRS found that the framework is helping managers address poor performance, challenge unacceptable behaviour, and lead with greater accountability.
Bucks Fire and Rescue says the findings 'provide communities with independent assurance' about how the Service understands local risks, targets prevention work, responds to emergencies, and uses its people and resources.
Louise Harrison, Chief Fire Officer, said: “I am delighted that this HMICFRS report reflects the commitment and concerted efforts the service has made on our improvement journey, and I am incredibly proud of everyone across the Service who has helped us get here.
"The progress recognised in this report has taken a huge collective effort often alongside demanding day-to-day roles and at a time when we have been asking a great deal of our teams.
“We will take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together and recognise we are in a much stronger position than we were two years ago. However, we remain committed to delivering our vision of an excellent, modern, and agile Service.
"Our communities continue to be at the centre of everything we do. Strong leadership, intelligent use of data and robust governance enable us to understand local risks, deploy resources effectively and continuously improve the service we provide.”
Councillor Llew Monger, Chair of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said: “The Fire Authority has seen the sustained effort that has gone into strengthening the Service, and it is encouraging to see that progress independently recognised by HMICFRS.
“These findings provide greater assurance about the way the Service is led, governed, and focused on the risks facing our communities. The Authority will continue to provide robust oversight and scrutiny as the Service builds on these results."
Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM said: “We were pleased to find the service had made progress since our inspection in May–June 2023. For example, it has worked hard to address its causes of concern and areas for improvement, implementing all cause of concern recommendations and addressing all but four of the areas for improvement. Its commitment to establishing a good internal governance model, which provides appropriate, timely and accurate oversight and scrutiny of its performance, has supported this improvement. Its senior leaders have accepted accountability and are now regularly assuring the service’s performance.”