Inspection report
On 27 July 2022 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published its second inspection report of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
This inspection came as part of HMICFRS's second full assessment of fire and rescue services in England, focusing on the service provided to the public, and the way services make use of the resources available.
The inspection aims to cover three main questions:
- How effective is the fire and rescue service at keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks?
- How efficient is the fire and rescue service at keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks?
- How well does the fire and rescue service look after its people?
Find more information about HMICFRS.
Previous inspection reports
On 20 June 2019, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published its inspection report for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS).
This was one of 16 fire and rescue services which had been inspected as part of the second tranche of HMICFRS inspections nationally.
The inspection report and improvement plan was subject to scrutiny at a special meeting of the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee on 10 July 2019.
The improvement plan has recently undergone its annual review at Service Executive Board (SEB) in October 2020 and an updated version is available below.
- HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Improvement plan (PDF, 263KB)
HMICFRS Spotlight Report
In March 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published their report focusing on the values and culture of all 44 fire and rescue services in England. The report draws on the evidence collected through the inspections of fire and rescue service’s since 2018.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service welcomes the report.
We define values as principles or standards of behaviour, and culture as ideas, customs, and behaviours. We define ‘poor’, ‘unacceptable’ and ‘inappropriate’ cultures and behaviours as those which have or have the potential to negatively affect others. These behaviours include bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
HMICFRS researched and analysed evidence on the following themes:
- values and culture, including bullying, harassment and discrimination
- training and skills
- fairness and diversity
- leadership
Read the full report on the HMICFRS website.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue continues to address such behaviours to create a more inclusive, open culture.
Productivity and Efficiency Plan
The document below sets out how the service plans to improve efficiency and increase productivity in line with national guidance.
Annual Statement of Assurance
This document shows how we have performed in the key areas of protection, prevention and emergency response. The Statement of Assurance sets out the approach taken to ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place in terms of governance and operational delivery.
This report supports an annual measurement against the delivery of the four year Community Risk Management Plan.
Statement of Assurance 2023-2024 (PDF, 2.1MB)Operational Performance Report
- Operational Performance Report 2023/24 - Quarter 4 (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Operational Performance Report 2024/25 - Quarter 3 (PDF, 1.2MB)
- Operational Performance Report 2024/25 - Quarter 2 (PDF, 1MB)
- Operational Performance Report 2024/25 - Quarter 1 (PDF, 902KB)
External data sources and information
Websites
- Civil Contingencies Act 2004 - Designated category one responders for incidents on a broader scale.
- Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 - Fire fighting, fire safety, rescuing people from road traffic accidents and other emergency activities.
- Home Office Fire Statistics - Details information on incidents attended by the service.
- Localism Act 2011 - Range of measures to devolve more powers to councils and neighbourhoods.
- National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) - The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service.
- Policing and Crime Act 2017 - Includes the duty of police, fire and ambulance service to work together and enable police and crime commissioners to take on responsibility for fire and rescue services where a local case is made.
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Enforcing fire safety law in public and commercial buildings.
Contact us if you would like copies of strategy documents, previous reports or statements of assurance.