Fire service inspection shows improvements

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has improved in a number of areas, His Majesty's Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has said.

In a previous inspection, it was rated inadequate in managing performance and developing leaders and "promoting the right values and culture".

These are now rated adequate, but ensuring fairness and diversity still requires improvement.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Baxter said the report "shows that we're on the right track".

The HMICFRS said "the service had made progress across several areas since our 2023 inspection".

"Overall, the service is improving in several areas, such as understanding risk, prevention, protection, values, culture and leadership," the report said.

"But there is limited progress in some areas that were previously identified for improvement, including estate improvements, and the quality and reliability of operational risk information."

The service was rated good in understanding the risk of fire and other emergencies, as well as preventing fires and other risks and in its training.

It was rated adequate in responding to fires, emergencies and major incidents.

Baxter said the report showed "lots of good practice that we can be proud of".

"We do recognise that there is still more to do," he said.

"The inspector identified some opportunities for improvement, and in many of these areas we already have projects and programmes running that are looking at these."

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