North Yorkshire fire service improves after concerns raised

A watchdog found North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service required "urgent improvements" in January

Improvements have been made at North Yorkshire's fire service after concerns were raised over its performance.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said "urgent improvements" were needed after an inspection in January.

Inspectors said "significant steps" had now been taken to resolve issues around efficiency, training and planning.

Chief fire officer Jonathan Dyson said he was "delighted" with the progress.

The HMICFRS identified two causes for concern during an inspection in 2022.

It said North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service did not have "robust processes" in place to make sure plans to transform the organisation were efficient and effective.

The inspectors said the service had also not done adequate "workforce planning".

They urged the service to "make sure all staff have the skills and training they need to perform their roles" and develop a policy for managing staff absences.

'Notable progress'

Following a visit in September, the HMICFRS said the service had "made notable progress".

In a letter to the chief fire officer, the inspector said the changes were "already having a positive effect".

Michelle Skeer from the HMICFRS said: "We recognise the considerable work carried out to support these improvements. As a result, we now consider both causes of concern to be resolved."

Chief Fire Officer Dyson said: "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."

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said she was "delighted that the inspectorate has formally recognised the clear progress the service has made to address both causes of concern".