Fire service taken out of special measures

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has made "good progress", according to inspectors

A fire service has been taken out of special measures after making improvements.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) had improved in multiple areas including diversity, staff discipline and grievance processes.

The service had been placed under special measures by the watchdog in July 2022.

HM Inspector Roy Wilsher said: "We will continue to monitor its progress to make sure the people of Gloucestershire are getting the service they deserve."

HMICFRS continuously monitors the performance of all fire and rescue services in England.

In the latest inspection of GFRS, the watchdog found the service had developed clear equality, diversity and inclusion objectives and had increased awareness of its importance across the organisation.

It also found that GFRS had appointed a professional standards officer to help establish a consistent approach to discipline and grievance processes. The area still requires "some further progress" though, inspectors said.

The case relating to concerns over protection activity and values and culture - which the watchdog raised in March 2025 - was also closed.

'Good progress'

Mr Wilsher said GFRS had been on "quite a journey" since it was placed under special measures three years ago.

He added: "I am pleased with the good progress that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has made so far.

"While there is still work to do, I have recommended removing the service from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring."